Executive coaching vs. career coaching: Everything you should know

Over the last few years, there’s been significant shifts in the workplace. From increased tech adoption to the way employers hire, they all serve as a clear signal that the way we work and approach our jobs is changing.

For employers, there’s an increased focus on training and support to really get the most out of their people. Often, employees are encouraged to continue their own development and sometimes through company-funded learning programmes. However, there’s a clear gap between this focus on supporting junior to mid-level employees and the lack of continuous development for those in leadership positions.

Executive coaching presents a prime opportunity for companies to invest in their leadership teams. Apart from increasing the retention of your executive talent through increased support for their personal and professional goals, our executive coaching programme provides a strategic plan to help executives with their own improvement as well as the improvement of their people and the organisation they serve. But what is executive coaching really? 

What is executive coaching? 

Executive coaching is a personalised, professional development process to support leaders in unlocking their potential and reaching their ambitions. According to Forbes, “executive coaching is distinctly customised to cater to individual growth and specific situational needs.”  

At Robert Walters, our executive coaching programme is defined by going beyond personal development and giving executives the tools they need to make a lasting impact. 

Packaged into 6-8 sessions of 60-90 minutes each, our executive coaches work closely with our clients over a period of four to six months to deliver tailored coaching that meets their personal and professional development needs. Irrespective of the duration, the coaching and action plans continue to deliver a sustained return on investment that lasts years. 

What’s the difference between executive coaching and career coaching? 

Executive coaching is a type of career coaching that’s focused on executives as they have particularly demanding roles that can have a significant impact on the success of an organisation. They often face situations where they’re making decisions which impact many people or a large part of the business.

The goal with executive coaching is to match an executive’s performance and personal goals with that of the company objective so they can deliver on their responsibilities in a way that feels fulfilling and purpose-driven.

Career coaching, however, is a broader term and is made up of a variety of activities, depending on the type of coach and support an individual is looking for. It’s often targeted toward junior to mid-level employees and can range from assistance with job applications to choosing a new career path, or even an accountability programme to ensure individuals are meeting their goals. 

Does executive coaching work?  

While it’s important to work with qualified coaches who have experience in your industry or coaching similar professionals, there is a crucial element to this relationship: taking ownership. 

The coach has a responsibility to understand your unique needs and circumstances to help you create an action plan that fits within your goals, but you also have the responsibility to show up and engage with those sessions. This could mean completing certain tasks, preparing for your sessions ahead of time, or any activity your coach might recommend. 

The benefits of executive coaching   

When considering executive coaching, whether for yourself or for the leaders at your organisation, it’s important to understand the benefits you’re likely to gain from a specific programme to check if it’s the right fit for you. Here are some of the benefits:

1. Confidentiality and external support

Being in a leadership position can put executives in a difficult position when seeking support internally. External coaches can provide an objective view on specific challenges and opportunities for personal and professional growth.

2. Increased self-awareness and direction

Through tailored 1-1 programmes, executives are given the opportunity to reflect on their goals and how to achieve them, as well as learning from their own challenges to improve their thought processes and approach. This is especially useful in the workplace. In addition, the Robert Walters’ Executive Coaching programme is designed to deliver tailored action plans that result in clear objectives and recommendations they can apply in the working world.

3. Easily reach milestones with reminders and check-ins

Tailored coaching means that executives can check in with their coaches and receive guidance on how to meet their goals. These regular check-ins allow goals to be easily digestible and achievable, meaning executives can often achieve more with clear direction from their coach.

4. Increased leadership performance

When executives feel supported in their role, they’re more likely to make even greater contributions – not only to their direct team but to the business at large. This level of support can often result in more effective leadership.

5. Executive retention

Investing in your executives highlights your organisation’s commitment to their overall development. Continued support through tailored coaching programmes could result in increased retention at an executive level as they are given the tools to succeed in an often-demanding role.

Which coaching option is right for you? 

While career coaches serve a really specific purpose and guidance for various individuals, our executive coaching is tailored to support executives. This allows them to unlock their potential and hit their personal and professional goals in a way that’s impactful for themselves and their organisation. 

Our experts also deliver transition coaching and leadership development programmes both 1-1 or for large groups. To find out more about our Talent Development services, connect with our specialists in the form on this page.