So, how are executives really spending their time in coaching? There is plenty of evidence that executive coaching can drive dramatic change. Many organizations find assignments are still a “black box” with little/no knowledge of what is actually happening.
CoachSource corporate clients are regularly kept up to date on which high-level theme(s) their executives are growing in. But for the first time ever, we’ve analyzed over 2,200 recent executive coaching engagements across all clients from 2023-2024. Our CoachSource® Qualified executive coaches, combined with CoachSource Cloud™ technology, have revealed what their leaders are working on through coaching during this time (anonymously, of course).
Below, we’ve revealed the top 5 areas executives are seeking help on through coaching (out of a possible 40 options). And the results may surprise you… While it is often believed executives need to improve their strategic thinking skills, business acumen, or growth related to their functional profession, it is actually the “soft” skills where their growth needs lie. (Should we say the soft skills are actually the hard skills then?)
Our 2023/24 findings are:
| Number of Executives | Percent of all CS assignments | |
| 5.Relationships & Networking | 139 | 5% |
| 4. Fostering Effective Teams | 144 | 5% |
| 3. Communication Skills | 199 | 7% |
| 2. Executive Presence | 315 | 11% |
| 1. Influencing Others | 329 | 12% |
Note – the same executive may be working on multiple areas of growth over the course of their engagement.
Let’s dive in deeper on our top 3:
#3 Communication Skills
We’ve conferred with our CoachSource Qualified executive coaches, who specialize particularly in communication skills to shed more light on the subject:
Our Panel:
Cheryl Jordan, Georgia USA
Eun Kim, Texas USA
John Chilkotowsky, New York USA
Diane Bailey-Boulet, Kentucky USA
What is it?
There probably has never been a time when “communication skills” weren’t paramount to successful leadership. But it still matters greatly. “Communication is so much more than the seemingly straightforward exchange of information,” says Diane Bailey-Boulet. “It’s about thoughtfully cultivating and staging moments of influence.” “Communication is everything— verbal and nonverbal,” adds Cheryl Jordan. “Leaders must rely on their communication skills to manage, shape, shift and influence organizational change.”
Coaches generally view communication skills to include any written, verbal, nonverbal, interaction between 2 or more people. Everything from the messaging, delivery, timing, frequency, body language, intercultural dynamics, tone – and including the receiver interpreted it as intended – can be included within the broader realm of communication skills.
Why do executives seek to grow in this area?
George Bernard Shaw famously said, “The single biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” And with that context, Diane Bailey-Boulet adds that, “Leaders are recognizing that their success depends on engaging others by creating buy-in, clarity, and action through words.” “Many executives have moved up into a role that requires more effective communication,” adds John Chilkotowsky. “Executives often come to a moment when they realize they don’t have the communication skills they need, and no one is offering a clear path for how to acquire them.”
Why are communication skills particularly important in 2024?
“Leaders have a lot to contend with in 2024,” says Cheryl Jordan. “AI’s potential for disruption, massive layoffs, continuing to navigate a hybrid work environment, and more have created greater complexity for all leaders to work with,” adds John Chilkotowsky. “Employees want to be visible (seen and heard) in a hybrid environment,” says Eun Kim. Increased attention to inclusivity adds to this. Continues Eun Kim, “Executives need to communicate in the ways that make ALL employees feel that each of them matters.” “With fewer resources available, leaders must communicate in a way to ensure that their teams are all ‘rowing the same way’,” adds John Chilkotowsky.
What business problem(s) do enhanced communication skills solve?
Communication skills are the glue that get things done in an organization. Everything from simple miscommunications (and the costly implications therein), employee engagement (ever worked for a boss who never said much?), conflict resolution, business development and customer interactions can be greatly impacted by an executive’s communication skills – with the resulting business impact for any of these areas as likely obvious for all.
#2 Executive Presence
Our CoachSource Qualified executive coaches who specialize in executive presence were asked to shed more light on the subject:
Our Panel:
Bernice Ang, WI USA
Stephanie Barbour, CA USA
Joel Garfinkle, CA USA
Sandra Henson, UK
Craig Martin, CA USA
Ritu Mehrish, Singapore
Andrea Buell, CoachSource Director
What is it?
About a decade ago, the trendy term “executive presence” burst onto the scene – along with confusion about its meaning. Yet, it is still our #2 most common area for development among executive coaching sessions. “Executive presence involves stepping into one’s power, conveying confidence, and leading with conviction,” says Joel Garfinkle. “It is your ability to inspire CONFIDENCE in others,” adds Bernice Ang. While traditionally associated with charisma, confidence, authority and gravitas, Sandra Henson now describes it as “qualities/behaviors that enable leaders to convey trust, credibility, influence others, paint a vision and deliver results.” We’ve seen coaching assignments focusing on how one presents, speaks and even personal image/attire. (Our – jokingly – favorite definition of executive presence? “We’ll know it when we see it!”).
Why do executives seek to grow in this area?
“The leaders I meet are growing in their roles due to past successes,” says CoachSource Director Andrea Buell. “They need to be able to project their visions and inspire greater numbers of people at the same time,” agrees Joel Garfinkle, adding “As you rise in your organization, you’ll realize how much greater your executive presence must become.” But in today’s environment, “executives often find themselves leading in a state of emotional reaction fueled by their stressed-out nervous system,” suggests Stephanie Barbour, “when execs realize they are acting in ways that may be career-limiting, it becomes a critical development goal to acquire poise, presence, and intentionality.” To that end, Ritu Merish adds “A successful leader needs to navigate her team/organization with calmness, clarity and decisiveness.”
Why is executive presence particularly important in 2024?
While the pace of change has always been challenging, the demands are even greater post pandemic. “Employee engagement is tanking, and burnout is escalating,” says Bernice Ang. “There is the changing stakeholder landscape and their increasingly diverse expectations,” adds Sandra Henson, “as well as the need to balance global and local agendas.” “Execs are working in more complex environments with employees and customers from a range of countries, ethnic and cultural groups,” says Stephanie Barbour. The rise in remote work has also made demonstrating executive presence much more difficult when everyone is on a tiny screen. But through this, “It is imperative for leaders to stand as beacons, illuminating the way ahead, guiding their teams to navigate the turbulent waters, and inspiring confidence in them to forge ahead,” concludes Bernice Ang.
What business problem(s) does this solve?
Record lack of employee engagement is greatly enhanced via an effective leader with strong presence, who can inspire confidence, trust and motivation within their teams. This would have a marked impact on retention rates too. External stakeholders, such as investors, clients, and partners, play a crucial role in the success of a business. A leader with executive presence can instill confidence and trust in stakeholders through their professionalism, credibility, and ability to articulate a clear vision and strategy. This can lead to stronger partnerships, increased investment, and enhanced brand reputation. “In the final analysis,” concludes Craig Martin, “it’s an executive’s ability and reputation for making a positive impact defines strong executive presence.” An executive making a positive impact moves the needle on any number of business problems.
#1 Influencing Others
We’ve conferred with our CoachSource Qualified executive coaches, who specialize particularly in influencing others to shed more light on this topic:
Our Panel:
Osama Al-Mosa, Jordan
Neela Bettridge, UK
Deidre Murray, Ireland
Rosa Grunhaus Belzer, CA USA
Marina Illich, CA USA
What is it?
Of course, influencing others works hand-in-hand with our #3 top trend – communication skills, and to some extent #2 executive presence. “Influencing is about using excellent communication and behavioral skills to affect the beliefs, attitudes or behaviors of another in a positive direction,” says Deidre Murray. Adds Rosa Belzer, “It is communicating with others in a way that engages both the rational mind as well as the heart.” She continues, “It explains the ‘why’ in inspiring in yet digestible ways”
Why do executives seek to grow in this area?
As leaders take on increasingly complex roles, influencing skills become more vital. “As executives progress in the pipeline,” says Rosa Belzer, “the ability to influence others, build partnerships and span across boundaries become a necessity.” Leaders now must influence through to many more stakeholders to get things done. “Executives understand that by honing their influencing skills, they can foster trust, build cohesive teams, and drive innovation across cultural boundaries,” says Osama Al-Mosa. “Strong influencers know how to adjust their communication style to meet individuals and stakeholder groups where they are,” adds Marina Illich.
Why are influencing skills particularly important in 2024?
“In 2024, the ability to navigate a myriad of cultural intricacies and challenges with finesse is paramount,” explains Osama Al-Mosa. “2024’s environment has many differing points of view, deep complexity, multitudes of stakeholders and constant change,” reflects Neela Bettridge, “Knowing how to influence is so important to be a successful leader.” We anticipate that leaders will continue to need to be a better influencer in the future, not less.
What business problem(s) do influencing skills solve?
A myriad of business problems are potentially solved by executives with strong influencing skills. For one, they more effectively obtain buy-in from stakeholders for crucial decisions, such as implementing new strategies or securing resources for projects. Additionally, better influence enables leaders to navigate organizational politics adeptly, gaining support for initiatives and minimizing resistance to change efforts. Moreover, executives skilled in persuasion can negotiate more favorable deals, form strategic partnerships, and resolve conflicts constructively, ultimately driving improved team collaboration, decision-making efficiency, and overall organizational performance.