CEOs and other senior executives have a lot on their plate. They are responsible for the overall performance of their organizations and must make strategic decisions that will impact the lives of many people. Given the high stakes involved in their jobs, it’s no wonder that many leaders seek out executive career coaching to help them hone their skills and define new leadership qualities.
An executive career coach can help their clients identify areas where they need to improve and develop new strategies for dealing with challenges. They can also provide support and guidance during times of transition, such as when an executive is promoted or taking on a new role within their organization.
“Every leader has a different style and strengths but all leaders share certain characteristics and qualities. In these difficult times, it is critical to have strong leadership in the world” (Walsh, 2020) [1].
There are 7 positive leadership qualities that are essential for any successful executive: communication, strategy, integrity, empathy, innovation, flexibility, and enthusiasm. Let’s take a closer look at each one and consider how executive career coaching could support it.
Defining the role of Leadership
A leader is someone who guides, motivates, and inspires their team to achieve a common goal. A leader helps their followers develop their skills and abilities in order to reach a successful outcome.
They are responsible for creating an environment of trust, collaboration, and respect that allows the team members to work together toward achieving the desired results. Leaders have the ability to recognize potential, mobilize resources and motivate others to give their best.
They are able to make difficult decisions by taking into consideration the needs of the team members as well as the overall objectives. Leaders set an example for their followers and serve as role models in times of stress or confusion.
“As we look ahead into the next century,
Leaders will be those who empower others”
-Bill Gates
They facilitate collaboration and encourage open communication among team members, allowing them to trust in one another and work together to solve problems. Leaders are also responsible for providing feedback, recognition, and rewards to their team members in order to motivate them and ensure that they are on track.
Leadership is an integral part of personal and professional growth. Leadership is about finding direction, creating change, and achieving success. Executive coaching services are focused on working closely with professionals to help them gain clarity in their goals and aspirations.
Everyone has the capacity to be a great leader in their field by utilizing specific skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, communication, and more. A good coach will always strive to support aspiring leaders in unlocking their potential so that they can create impactful change within themselves and their teams.
7 Positive Leadership Qualities
Leadership involves more than just managing people; it involves influencing and inspiring them. A leader is able to recognize potential in others and help them realize their true capabilities. Through effective communication, trust, and collaboration, a leader can help create an environment where everyone feels empowered to reach their goals.
Leaders are often the driving force behind successful outcomes, as they motivate their team members and provide guidance throughout the process. Without strong leadership, it can be difficult for any organization to reach its full potential.
“A good leader is one who is on a never-ending journey of self-discovery. No matter how long you have been in business, there is always something new to learn and improve. Business coaches have met thousands of leaders across various industries and have found common traits that are important to success” (Finkel, 2021) [2].
Executive coaching services can provide leaders coaching and executive career coaching that help develop the desired seven positive leadership qualities:
- Communication
Communication proficiency is all about telling subordinates they are valued through listening and understanding their points of view while also being able to present your own point of view in an easily digestible way. Clarity, coherence, and straightforwardness is the key here. By establishing a clear vision, it becomes much easier to lead people to a prosperous future.
“A leader is one who knows the way,
Goes the way and shows the way”
-John Maxwell
- Strategy
A good leader is a strategic thinker. Being able to see the big picture and steering toward a positive outcome is how great leaders define their success. A large part of the strategy is noticing the small things but not being bogged down in them. Great leaders often have a plan and a backup plan if things don’t pan out as they envisioned. Taking some time and looking at your business from all angles is a great way of preparing for the future.
- Integrity
The best leaders are ones who never compromise on their values. They are dependable, reliable, and supportive. They often set high standards of professional behavior for themselves and their followers. They may face challenging situations and tough times but true leaders know that there is no shortcut to integrity. A leader who values integrity will always lift you up rather than push you down. They are transparent and honest in their approach which is why their employees respect them and are loyal to them.
- Empathy
Empathy is an invaluable tool for a leader to possess. Active listeners and eager learners draw people towards them like no other. They are inclusive and aware of the feelings of those around them and understand their employee’s needs much better than your average executive. They usually have a high EQ (Emotional Quotient) which is why they respect others and take the time to build a good rapport with everyone they meet.
- Innovation
“Experimentation is integral to the growth and maintenance of your company’s competitive edge. Great leaders understand this fact and encourage their employees to take risks and innovate within their organization. Creating a culture where failure is a learning step, employees feel comfortable with testing new theories and ideas” (Landry, 2018) [3].
“A boss has the title. A leader has the people”
-Simon Sinek
- Flexibility
Different people or situations require different approaches which is why successful leaders are always flexible in their approach. They understand that there is no ‘right’ way to lead but knowing your own management style and adapting as required is the hallmark of a good leader. As we all know, nothing ever plays out the way we imagine it so responding to changing circumstances and shifting goals quickly is required of an executive.
- Enthusiasm
The best leaders drive people and projects forward with energy and enthusiasm. Portraying a certain level of passion and motivation when approaching something is necessary because after all, how can you expect others to give a 100% for something that even you yourself don’t fully believe in?
“Genuine passion is something that can’t be faked and is reflected in the business you’re working in, the people you are working with, and the goal you are working towards” (ICAEW, 2021) [4].
Developing Positive Qualities
With the help of executive career coaching, it becomes easier to identify your core strengths and weaknesses, which can allow you to zero in on opportunities where value can be added. Leadership coaching services allow you to apply an executive mindset to your work – taking a systems view on how you can drive organizational change and results.
It provides invaluable insight into how to manage both short-term and long-term goals. Through executive coaching services in each of these areas, you can learn a lot about yourself – strengths, weaknesses, talents, and interests – which can help you become more successful in both your life and your career.
“A good coach will always listen from a place of empathy and will be highly attentive to everything their clients say. They can figure out where you need work and what you should be focusing on. They have the ability to go beyond the surface level and dig deep into the issues that are plaguing their clients” (Gopalan, 2021) [5].
“I absolutely believe that people, unless coached,
Never reach their maximum capabilities”
-Bob Nardelli
Executive career coaching services are an invaluable tool in developing these positive traits. The trainers can maximize growth and provide assessments to identify one’s unique strengths and determine desired goals.
Through active listening, executive coaches can then help create a foundation of trust and open dialogue for expressing concerns and brainstorming solutions. Regular check-ins also aid in staying accountable for progress as well as identifying any new challenges that may arise.
Executive career coaches may also help leaders to develop an effective action plan for achieving desired goals and objectives in order to become more efficient managers. In addition, executive coaches can provide advice on navigating difficult situations, encouraging collaboration amongst team members, building productive relationships with colleagues, and creating a culture of trust and respect.
All of these strategies combined can help leaders to become more effective in their roles, have a greater impact on their organization’s success, and ultimately become better leaders for their teams.
An executive career coach can help leaders to develop their skills and knowledge so they can better understand the challenges of leading a team and make more informed decisions. By having access to an experienced advisor who is dedicated to helping them reach their goals, a leader can obtain guidance and support throughout their journey which will ultimately lead to increased confidence, improved leadership skills, and better outcomes.
Overall, executive career coaching is a valuable investment in personal development because of the tailored strategies based on individual situations it provides!
“The good and the bad, the exhausting and the empowering,
The wins and the losses…Every part of leadership has a
Bigger impact when we’re doing it for a greater purpose”
-Leyda Aleman
Conclusion
In conclusion, a leader is someone who guides and motivates their team to achieve success. With or without the assistance of an executive career coach, they are able to recognize potential in others and provide the support necessary for them to reach their goals.
A great leader focuses on collaboration and open communication while providing feedback and motivation to ensure that everyone is on track. Leadership is an essential component of any organization and without strong leadership, it can be difficult to reach desired outcomes.
Becoming a leader doesn’t happen overnight, it is something that you have to work on and develop over time. The best way to become a leader is by first defining what leadership means to you and what kind of leader you want to be.
From there, start developing the 7 positive leadership traits listed above. As you begin to implement these traits into your life, you will see how they positively affect your career and personal relationships.
Lastly, remember that as a leader you should always be aware of the example you are setting for others. When faced with negative situations or people, remain calm and upbeat – this will show those around you that it is possible to maintain a positive attitude no matter what challenges come your way.
“Leadership is not about titles, positions, or
Work hours. It’s about relationships”
-Jim Kouzes
Ultimately, a leader is someone who serves as a role model and helps team members develop their skills in order to achieve success.
Related articles:
Executive Coaching confronts the Dark Triad of Leadership
Executive Coaching – All You Need To Know For 2023
Coaching 4 Companies – Your premier executive coaching service.
We are a young, vibrant, and diverse executive career coaching group, with the operation registered in 2019, however, the formation was a 45-year career lifetime in preparation. During that period our founder Wayne Brown observed and worked with leaders of all levels in organizations across industries and cultures globally.
Based on that exposure, our company has intentionally set out to support those practicing the art and science of leadership – or as often referred to, “Executive Talent.” These are people who acknowledge that they are not experts. They are open to opportunities for continued growth and carry the desire for learning what is needed to become a success in today’s complexity and uncertainty.
To this end, we have purposely structured our company and engaged with associates in strategic global locations, so that we are able to provide the full suite of transformational executive career coaching, facilitation, and education support required.
References
[1]: Molly Walsh, 21st October 2020, The Seven Characteristics Of Great Leaders
[2]: David Finkel, 26th May 2021, 7 Qualities Of A Good Leader, There Is Always Something To Improve And Work Toward
[3]: Lauren Landry, 4th October 2018, 6 Characteristics Of An Effective Leader
[4]: ICAEW Insights, 30th July 2021, The 7 Traits Of Great Leaders
[5]: Venkat Raghavan Gopalan, 24th November 2021, 7 Characteristics That Make For A Good Leadership Coach
Recent Comments