Executive coaching: a guide for the HR professional.

Abstract

Why is this topic important? Because executive coaching has grown rapidly in recent years, many human resource professionals and their clients need information to help them know when and how to use coaching for their organizations. Most of the books on the market are “how-to” books, with very little material to assist HR people in becoming savvy consumers of coaching services. The topics and materials in this book can serve as a practical guide to learn more about what coaching is and how to best use it in the organization. What can you achieve with this book? In the authors’ experience, HR professionals, clients, and others in organizations have many questions related to the practice of executive coaching. This book provides information on the process of coaching, when it is appropriate to use it, and how the four key roles of HR professional, client, boss, and coach can function together to maximize the effectiveness of coaching. This volume seeks to equip HR professionals, their clients, and others with the ability to make informed decisions about coaching for themselves and for their organizations. How is this book organized? This book is divided into five sections. Section I provides a definition of coaching, situations in which coaching is appropriate, and guidelines on selecting a coach. The critical steps in the coaching process are explained. Section II provides an understanding of the different roles and responsibilities of the HR professional, the client, the boss, and the coach and how each of them interrelate to achieve a successful outcome for the coaching engagement. Section III highlights some special topic areas, such as executive development, for which coaching can be utilized as a way to accelerate the learning process. Section IV offers first-hand accounts from clients on their experience of coaching. Section V provides reproducible resources and forms that can serve as practical, everyday tools to be used by HR professionals and others. The Appendix contains an executive breakaway section—material designed for the coaching client. The breakaway section, as well as the resources and forms, can also be found on the Pfeiffer website (www.pfeiffer.com).