Executive Coaching – 'Knowledge vs Know How'

Executive coaching is without a doubt an art form all of itself, that art is made up two distinct areas.

1. Knowing what to do.
2. Knowing how to do it.

Like any area of valued endeavour, there is something intangible about the capability of an individual to read the moment, sense the thought, pull on the right experience and frame a question or offer an observation that impacts on another individual enough for them to change a perspective and re-frame a behaviour.

Though that is coaching and like any other skill, that is honed to a high level, the art form, the mystic, the value is often made easy around something that is not.

When looking for a great executive coach:

1. Consider the whole person, the depth of their life experience.
2. Are they comfortable in their own skin.
3. Can they be a confidante, will they challenge, be an advocate, inspire, coach and mentor.
4. Do you feel a connection (not friendship)

Simple things that point to whether or not you are prepared to enter into an adult relationship as opposed to a commercial one. Simple things that go beyond a certifate of competence and into your instinct about whether or not the balance between knowledge and know how sits before you.