Executive coaching is wonderful for a variety of reasons and is used to achieve a multitude of goals from meeting deadlines to retaining top talent. No matter how you slice it executive coaching is a power move, an ace in the hole, a recipe for success. Many companies view such educational programs as a luxury service, but they’re wrong.
If your office is coed then executive coaching is more vital than ever.
Studies have shown that since the origins of Alyssa Milano’s MeToo tweet heard round the world, men and women have struggled to collaborate in the workplace. Many men report feeling as though they no longer know what they can or can’t say to female colleagues, and women report fear of retaliation for speaking out, combined with frustration at the lack of tangible change.
It is your responsibility to provide a safe, positive, and healthy work environment for your employees. This is your moment to step up and set the example for everyone. You are there to oversee work getting done, yes, but in order to facilitate that you must first protect your employees from physical and emotional harm.
Oh, and it benefits the company long-term by decreasing turnover, increasing employee talent retention, improving productivity, and increasing ROI.
How can executive coaching support the MeToo initiative?
- Clearly defined business goals and professional boundaries. An executive coach will challenge you to be specific in your mission and communication, while building genuine rapports with the people on your team. Outline the expectations for all employees, then lead by example.
- Stay accountable, publicly. A Premier Rapport executive coach will ensure that if your team is expected to take responsibility, the boss has to own up as well. Revealing leadership’s faults, mistakes, and vulnerabilities is a powerful move, and one that speaks to a safe environment, as well as reassuring against the perceived dangers of coming clean.
- Measure progress and celebrate success. Positive reinforcement is more impactful in both the short and long term, as your employees (male and female) will feel valued and inspired. Show them the correct path, and reward good behavior. Only good will come of it!
- Raise the glass ceiling—for everyone. That means challenging yourself, your team, and your company. Learn a new skill, implement that policy you’ve been deliberating, and promote hard-working, deserving female employees to leadership.
- Stick to it. There’s a reason gym attendance spike in January, then drop off the rest of the year: it’s hard to keep momentum. An executive coach will urge you to keep practicing, developing, and growing new skills, as well as provide a neutral voice of reason in turbulent times.
Executive coaching is always a great way to get ahead at work, but now it may be essential.
