Executive Coaching - What's in a Name?

It bothers me when people call themselves 'coaches'from a coach I used to have. He was amazing!
and they don't really coach.Whatever answer I gave to a question he would ask
Executive coaching is a skill that all leaders andanother until we both got the answers that we
managers of people should have. Coaching is to getneeded to move ahead. It took me a while to 'get it'
inside the person and look out from where they are.but when I did - and applied it to others - WOW! The
To be a new pair of eyes with which to see theimpact was immediate and long-lasting. The
world around them, its problems and opportunities.interesting thing is that anyone can apply this
This is inspirational work. That is to say coaching is atechnique.
mechanism for inspiration, to encourage, motivateAnyone can use coaching skills in this way. Just
and instill belief into those who either may have lost itbecause a person doesn't give themselves the title
or who need more of it to do their job and make'coach' doesn't mean they can't use the skills. In fact,
the decisions they need to make. This is not done byI have seen plenty people ordinary managers,
either shouting and instilling fear (although there is aparents, and even kids with this skill. In fact, being a
role for fear and I will say more about this anothercoach isn't just about calling yourself a 'coach' it's
time) but through skilled questioning and strong (butabout doing what coaching does - questioning always
subtle) encouragement.questioning until the coachee gets the answers they
This is a skill - the questioning particularly. I learned itneed to move on. There is a big difference!