{"id":879,"date":"2018-10-26T14:58:29","date_gmt":"2018-10-26T18:58:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.darden.virginia.edu\/careercorner\/?p=879"},"modified":"2021-08-27T18:19:30","modified_gmt":"2021-08-27T22:19:30","slug":"alumni-career-services-announces-executive-coaching","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.darden.virginia.edu\/careercorner\/2018\/10\/26\/alumni-career-services-announces-executive-coaching\/","title":{"rendered":"Alumni Career Services Announces Executive Coaching"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Gwen Mellor (EMBA \u201913) and Jen Coleman (Executive Director, Alumni Career Services)<\/em><\/p>\n

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W<\/span>ith the goal of being a resource to all of its graduates, at all stages of their careers, Alumni Career Services (ACS) is introducing a new coaching offering for degreed Darden alumni: Executive Coaching<\/a>. ACS continues to provide complimentary career<\/em> coaching for alumni in transition<\/em>; executive<\/em> coaching is for alumni that want to improve performance and satisfaction in their current<\/em> roles.<\/p>\n

Perhaps you\u2019re at the point in your career where you are facing some extremely complex issues. You think that you can benefit by consulting with a coach to work through some of the challenges you\u2019re facing, but to date, you haven\u2019t been sure how to go about identifying the right coach. Through ACS\u2019 new Executive Coaching program, you\u2019ll have the opportunity to work with Darden-approved professionals at Darden-supplemented rates. Once you\u2019ve reached out to ACS to coordinate a coaching engagement, you will be asked to select one of the coaches with whom Darden is contracting. How will you decide between the coaches, all of whom have strong credentials and all of whom appear like they could offer value and a rewarding coaching experience? Where do you start?<\/p>\n

Know What Executive Coaching Is and Isn\u2019t<\/strong><\/p>\n

The preliminary step to choosing a coach is to first get a grasp on what coaching really is. Coaching engagements are, at their core, focused on change. The bulk of executive coaching is concentrated on work and professional performance and the changes that clients seek in order to elevate their professional effectiveness.<\/p>\n

To better understand coaching, it can be helpful to distinguish it from other types of relationships. Coaching isn\u2019t mentoring, therapy or consulting. Master Coach Ed Batista<\/a> offers a succinct differentiation when he shares that mentors, therapists and consultants are typically experts from whom clients are seeking advice or expertise. Skilled coaches, on the other hand, help clients discover and decide which approach, solutions and paths are right for them. Coaches help clients come to understand themselves better, which in turn allows them to better identify decisions and choices they want to make. Coaches do not enter into engagements believing that they are the experts; they view themselves as clients\u2019 equal partners.<\/p>\n

Know the Responsibilities of the Coach and the Client<\/strong><\/p>\n

Along these lines, it\u2019s important to understand that coaching sessions are driven exclusively by clients, not by coaches. Clients determine what issues they want to tackle, and what work they want to do throughout the engagement. Coaches help clients hold themselves accountable. They ensure that important issues are addressed, but ultimately, clients are responsible for the bulk of the work. Coaches provide support by being candid and direct. They also provide value by challenging clients, with the clients\u2019 best interests at heart.<\/p>\n

Conduct Due Diligence<\/strong><\/p>\n

You\u2019ve been offered an opportunity to work with one of a handful of Darden-endorsed coaches. Take some time to read the coaches\u2019 bios and research their professional backgrounds. Something about their experience may jump out at you; or, you may have a gut instinct as to which coach you might prefer to work with. Despite what might seem logical, it is not important to work with a coach who has walked the same path <\/em>that you have<\/em>. In fact, many coaches will tell you that the best coaching relationships often grow out of two professionals who come from very different backgrounds.<\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve identified a preferred coach, ACS will make an email introduction. From there, you should plan to reach out to schedule a phone interview, which typically lasts about 30 minutes. In preparation for that call, you might send the coach your CV, spend some time identifying your goals for the engagement and think about what changes you are seeking to make.<\/p>\n

During your phone call with your prospective coach, you might consider touching on the coach\u2019s path to coaching, coaching practice, and his\/her self-awareness and preferences. You might ask:<\/p>\n