Frequently Asked Questions

Whether executive coaching is right for you depends on your specific goals, challenges, and circumstances. Executive coaching can be highly beneficial for individuals in leadership positions or those seeking to improve their leadership skills. Here are some factors to consider when determining if executive coaching is right for you:

If you're in a leadership role and want to enhance your leadership skills, such as communication, decision-making, and conflict resolution, executive coaching can be valuable.

If you are facing performance challenges at work or want to achieve specific career goals, executive coaching can help you identify areas for improvement and create a plan to address them.

If you're interested in gaining a deeper understanding of your strengths, weaknesses, and personal leadership style, executive coaching can help you develop self-awareness.

If you are transitioning to a new leadership role, such as a promotion or a change in job responsibilities, executive coaching can assist you in adapting to the new challenges.

If you are dealing with high levels of stress, burnout, or work-related challenges, an executive coach can provide strategies to manage stress and achieve a healthier work-life balance.

If you want to improve your interpersonal and communication skills, including giving feedback, active listening, and effective collaboration, executive coaching can be beneficial.

If you struggle with managing conflicts within your team or organization, an executive coach can help you develop effective conflict resolution strategies.

If you have specific career goals and want assistance in setting and achieving them, executive coaching can provide guidance and accountability.

If you need someone to hold you accountable for your professional development and goals, an executive coach can provide the necessary structure and support.

Success in executive coaching often depends on your commitment to the process. You must be open to feedback, willing to self-reflect, and dedicated to implementing changes.

Before deciding if executive coaching is right for you, it's essential to research potential coaches, understand their qualifications and approach, and have a clear idea of your goals and expectations. Additionally, you should consider the time commitment involved in executive coaching.

Ultimately, executive coaching can be a valuable resource for personal and professional growth, but it's essential to evaluate your unique needs and circumstances to determine if it's the right choice for you.

Executive coaching sessions typically follow a structured process, but the specific content and format can vary depending on your goals, the coach's approach, and your individual needs. Here's what you can generally expect in an executive coaching session:

Goal Setting: At the beginning of your coaching engagement, you and your coach will establish clear and specific goals for what you want to achieve through the coaching process. These goals serve as the foundation for your sessions.

Confidentiality: Executive coaching sessions are confidential, and the coach will provide a safe and non-judgmental space for you to discuss your challenges, concerns, and aspirations.

Assessment: Your coach may use various assessment tools, such as personality assessments or 360-degree feedback, to gain a better understanding of your strengths and areas for development.

One-on-One Sessions: Executive coaching typically involves one-on-one sessions between you and your coach. These sessions can be in-person, over the phone, or via video conferencing, depending on your and the coach's preferences.

Self-Reflection: Coaching includes self-reflective exercises and discussions to help you gain insight into your behaviours, thought patterns, and leadership style.

Feedback: Your coach will provide feedback on your performance and behavior, helping you identify areas for improvement and reinforcing your strengths.

Skill Development: The coach will work with you to develop and refine specific leadership and management skills. This may include communication, time management, conflict resolution, and more.

Learnings and Action Plans: Each session will end by asking you to summarise learnings with the creation of action plans and specific steps to work on between sessions. These plans help you apply what you've learned and track your progress.

Accountability: The coach holds you accountable for your commitments and helps you stay on track with your goals and action plans.

Continuous Support: Executive coaching is a long-term process, with sessions starting every two weeks, with programs for three, six or twelve months. The frequency and duration of sessions can vary, but they typically move to spaced out to allow time for you to implement changes and measure progress.

Measuring Progress: Your coach will help you assess and measure your progress toward your goals. This involves regular check-ins, reviewing feedback from colleagues, and adjusting your action plans as needed.

Reflection and Feedback: You will have opportunities to reflect on your experiences, discuss challenges and successes, and receive ongoing feedback and guidance from your coach.

Motivation and Encouragement: A key role of the coach is to motivate and encourage you, helping you stay committed to your growth and development.

Adaptability: Coaching sessions are adaptable and responsive to your evolving needs and circumstances. The coach may adjust the approach and focus as the coaching relationship progresses.

Remember that executive coaching is a collaborative process, and the success of the coaching engagement depends on your active participation, willingness to self-reflect, and commitment to making positive changes. Your coach is there to support and guide you on your journey to achieve your leadership and career goals.

A standard coaching session usually lasts for about 60 to 90 minutes. However, session lengths can be customized based on your specific needs and goals. Some coaching sessions may be as short as 30 minutes for quick check-ins, while others could extend beyond 90 minutes for more in-depth discussions.

The frequency of coaching sessions can also vary. It's common to have sessions on a bi-weekly or monthly basis, but the schedule can be adapted to suit your needs.

Coaching sessions can be conducted in person if both the coach and the coachee are in the same geographic location. This may take place in a coach's office, a conference room, or another suitable location.

Many coaching sessions are conducted virtually using video conferencing platforms like Zoom, Google, or Microsoft Teams. Virtual coaching allows for flexibility and accessibility, especially if the coach and coachee are in different locations. Some coaching sessions may be conducted via phone if video conferencing is not an option or if the coachee prefers it.

Executive coaching sessions can take place in a coachee's office or workplace, especially when the coaching is focused on improving performance in that specific environment. However, many prefer neutral and private spaces to maintain confidentiality and reduce distractions like an offsite meeting room.

Regardless of the location, it's crucial to maintain confidentiality during coaching sessions. Andrew is bound by ethical guidelines and confidentiality agreements to ensure that what is discussed in the coaching relationship remains private.

Ultimately, the logistics of coaching sessions are agreed between the coach and the coachee to accommodate both parties' schedules and preferences. The goal is to create a comfortable and productive environment for the coaching process, whether that's in-person, virtual, or over the phone, and to adapt the session length to the needs of the coachee.

The number of coaching sessions you will need can vary significantly depending on your goals, the complexity of the issues you're addressing, and your individual progress. Executive coaching is not typically a one-size-fits-all approach, and the duration of the coaching engagement can be tailored to your specific needs. Here are some factors to consider:

The complexity and specificity of your goals can impact the number of sessions required. Some individuals may seek coaching for a particular issue or challenge that can be addressed in a relatively short period, while others may have broader, long-term development goals.

The frequency and duration of coaching sessions also play a role. Some individuals may opt for more frequent, shorter sessions, while others may choose longer less frequent sessions. The total number of sessions needed will depend on the chosen format.

Your progress and the results you achieve during the coaching process will influence the number of sessions needed. As you make progress toward your goals, you may require fewer sessions, or you may decide to continue coaching to work on new objectives.

Periodic assessments and feedback from both you and your coach can help determine when it's appropriate to conclude the coaching relationship. If your goals have been met, and you feel confident in your abilities, it may be a sign that you no longer need coaching.

Some individuals choose to engage in ongoing coaching for continuous improvement and development. In these cases, coaching may be an ongoing and integral part of their professional growth.

Your budget and available resources may also influence the number of coaching sessions. It's essential to consider financial constraints when planning the duration of the coaching engagement.

Typically, coaching engagements can range from a few months to long term partnerships. A common starting point is a commitment to a set number of sessions (e.g., eight sessions over six months) with the option to extend or conclude the coaching relationship based on your progress and evolving needs.

Ultimately, the ideal number of coaching sessions is a collaborative decision between you and your coach. Your coach can help you assess your progress and determine when you've achieved your desired outcomes. The goal is to ensure that you receive the support and guidance you need to reach your professional development objectives.

No, I will not share the content of what you discuss in executive coaching or any other form of communication with me. I committed under ethical guidelines to respect your privacy and confidentiality. Your discussions and questions are treated with the utmost discretion, and I do not share any personal data or information. When seeking executive coaching or discussing sensitive matters, it's best to engage with a certified coach who can maintain the required standards of confidentiality and ethical conduct.

No problem. However, if you need to cancel a coaching session, a 48-hour notice typically incurs no charge. If you provide a 24-hour notice, there may be a 50% cancellation fee, and on the same day as the session, a 100% cancellation fee might apply. It's essential to communicate any scheduling changes as soon as possible to avoid any inconveniences or charges.

Each program is bespoke and developed to meet your specific needs. My fees are £300 for a 60-minute video session and £225 for 45 minutes. In-person sessions are offered with pricing on request. These costs exclude any relevant assessments, stakeholder feedback interviews.