Coaching for Leaders and High Potentials

Coaching Process

My core strength in coaching is to develop communications, impact, and getting results with and through others. I apply a set of proven coaching principles that result in real changes in behavior. My work is based in my knowledge, research, and decades of corporate experience working to help senior leaders be successful in large, corporate environments.

I also believe that the most powerful aspect of my coaching process is working with my client to obtain feedback, reflect, and act upon it.  Therefore, part of our coaching relationship is to facilitate conversations with stakeholders to ask specific questions, interpret their responses so they can be framed as positive suggestions, and then safely review results with my client to explore what and how to change to improve their impact as a leader. Then over time, I provide a safe space to look at the implementation of the new behaviors and what is needed to sustain change.

The process works best when the following steps are included for a 9-month engagement:

1. Partner with the leader to define their vision and two or three overarching behavioral goals to guide the course of the coaching engagement. This initial session is live with the client and can take from 3-4 hours. If desired, the coach can also “shadow” the leader to observe how the leader performs during meetings and assess the impact on those present.
2. Get feedback from stakeholders relating to the goals so future actions are based on those who experience the leader’s behaviors, not according to the leader or the coach. Interviews can be done live or virtually. Up to 12 people will be chosen by the leader and coach for the interviews. HR may also weigh in the selection of participants.
3. Summarize the report and review with the client. Keep the focus on what the leader needs to change in the future, rather than on the impact of his or her past behavior. Initial goals are modified to reflect what is needed going forward.
4. Support the leader to disclose coaching goals to key stakeholders, to create greater accountability.
5. Meet with the leader once every 3-5 weeks virtually for approximately 90 minutes to review progress, strategize current dilemmas, and explore new skills that could help the leader achieve the goals. The coach will provide models, resources, and helpful techniques as needed. If the need arises, the coach will also provide assessments or review previously taken assessments to further the awareness and development of the leader.
6. Meet again live, ideally offsite, at least one or two more times during the duration of the coaching.
7. Review results on a periodic basis with the leader, to keep the goals in focus and to continually assess the value of the coaching relationship. The leader and HR will agree how much of this information will be shared in report format.
8. In between sessions it’s important that the leader carve out time and space to reflect on development. The leader should feel free to contact me anytime between sessions if there are questions to ensure ongoing learning and growth rather than a set number of coaching interventions.

In summary, the leader will experience an integrated approach to coaching which doesn’t rely on dogma or process. It focuses on a customized design to ensure success, supplemented by resources to ensure the desired behavioral changes are made for the long-term.

My Coaching Style

There is a big difference between mentoring and professional coaching. My role is not to share how I would have addressed a situation but to enable you to build the self-awareness, confidence, and abilities to manage difficult and complex issues as they arise. Your continued success will depend on your expanding awareness and the commitment to implementing the changes you design.

I have been researching the science of behavioral change since 1985 and applying what I learn to leadership development. Since 1996, when I found coaching, I have developed a robust methodology using the latest research in behavioral economics, neuroscience, and sports psychology. I can confidently say that using a coaching approach is the best technology we have at present to ensure long-term behavioral change.

When the coach acts a “thinking partner” instead of an instructional guru, the leader can be more successful in today’s environment shrouded by uncertainty, ambiguity, and complexity. Coaching will challenge assumptions, explore beliefs, provide a safe space to talk about fears and hopes, and create reasonable expectations for change. Leaders can then make better decisions and have the confidence to implement the changes they choose to make.

That’s not to say that there won’t be occasions when experience, best practice, or existing models or tools won’t be suggested to expand thinking and possible solutions. When needed, resources will be provided for the leader to broaden perspective and make informed choices to resolve problems.

Currently, my clients include executives and emerging leaders in high tech, banking, finance, pharmaceuticals, retail, transportation, consumer goods, government agencies, and public utilities. The focus may include:

• Implementing ways to improve communications and inspire greater team performance.
• Finding better solutions for dealing with difficult people and situations.
• Leading through changes in the organization, marketplace, and the world.
• Creating visions and plans, both personally and professionally.
• Managing stress and well-being to maintain personal high-performance.
• Mobilizing leadership teams.
• Shifting the corporate culture, including how to create a coaching culture.
• Increasing employee engagement throughout the organization.
• Preparing for the next-level leadership position.
• Experiencing greater fulfillment and success.
• Mentoring for both internal and external coaches to improve their coaching skills or earn ICF certification.

My coaching philosophy is to inspire you to achieve your goals through implementation, discover how to remove barriers to change, and maximize your momentum to achieving your highest potential as a great leader.

My techniques are intended to move you outside your comfort zone, challenging you to see yourself in the mirror through feedback, identifying your emotional triggers and blocks, and removing constructed layers that block your development.

My role is to act as your thinking partner and disrupter. I will provide challenge alongside equally high levels of support. The skills of coaching are used to create the conditions in which you feel secure enough to be open and honest while being pushed for the self-awareness needed to create the sustainable development you believe will deliver bottom line results.

Client Requirements

For coaching to be successful, the client must be prepared to

• Push through boundaries of awareness. If you are not feeling uncomfortable, you aren’t learning.
• Be an active participant not an interested bystander, both in and after the sessions.
• Be open and honest, both with yourself and with me.
• You cannot put the conversations to one side when you leave the session. Meet your commitments for action between sessions and show up for scheduled sessions unless a recognized emergency emerges (virtual sessions need 24 hours’ notice for change; live sessions need 2 weeks’ notice).
• Carve out time to reflect; immediately after the session, through the intervening weeks, and immediately before our sessions.

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Marcia is a great listener and asks the right questions to lead me to very solid decisions. She has helped me to focus and prioritize. I have been better able to look at problems in different ways, thus finding very meaningful solutions. I am a better leader today because of the coaching I received from Marcia. ~ Krista Endsley, CEO

I hired Marcia to help me settle into a new position. Her insights, great questions and gentle prodding helped me avoid some sticky political situations with my peers. As a result, I can focus on what I do best. She helped make my transition seamless. ~ Linda Ruby, VP Marketing

The higher I have risen in my organization, the more I find how important it is to have someone to talk to on the outside, for both the perspective and encouragement. I have referred Marcia to many of my colleagues and all have been grateful to me for finding her. She is a real treasure. ~ Betty Aga, VP HR Business Support Team

The coaching arrangement may include:

• In person on-site intake sessions
• In person coaching on-location as necessary
• Assessments
• Team coaching (situational or using the Team Advantage program)
• On-going maintenance sessions after the formal program is completed

See the extensive LIST OF COACHING TESTIMONIALS  to better understand the results you will receive working with Marcia Reynolds, PsyD.

CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION.