Leadership Intro Session

1. Set clear goals: Before your session, spend some time writing down your near-term goals. Do you want to get promoted, become a more confident presenter, or learn best practices for managing a team? Sharing these goals with your coach will help the two of you focus on what's important.

2. Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses: Consider your strengths and weaknesses as a leader. What do you excel at? What areas do you need to improve on? Even if you aren't certain of the answers, your self-assessment will give your coach valuable context.

3. Come prepared with questions: One of the goals of your first session is to get to know your coach and make sure their coaching style aligns with your needs and goals. Don't be afraid to ask any questions that will help you determine if they're the right coach for you.

4. Share any concerns: Take time to write down any questions or concerns you have about coaching. This will give your coach the opportunity to address any objections that may hold you back from getting the most out of working together.

5. Bring an open mind: Coaching is a collaborative process that requires openness and a willingness to learn. Come prepared to listen to your coach's feedback and suggestions and be open to trying new approaches.

Here are some questions you may want to consider asking your coach during your first session:

• What's your approach to coaching?
• How do you usually like to structure coaching sessions?
• What can I do to get the most out of our sessions together?
• How can I reach out to you between sessions if I have any questions or need support?
• What are your expectations from me as a coaching client?

You get to decide what you and your coach focus on. Most clients use sessions to overcome challenges they are facing at work, process interpersonal conflict, or get help accomplishing goals. Each of Exec’s coaches has a unique specialty that is informed by their background, which you’ll be able to read about in their profiles.

Therapy is similar to coaching in some ways. Both use evidence-based techniques and intentional dialogue to spur growth and discovery.

Coaching diverges from therapy by focusing on the present and future, rather than the past. You would work with a coach to support your goals for professional development, while therapy is designed to help you work through deeper issues like anxiety, depression, and trauma.