This document will give you an overview of what you can expect as a participant in your organization's coaching program.

Why work with a coach?

"The opponent within one’s own head is more formidable than the one on the other side of the net."

– Timothy Galley, The Inner Game of Tennis

This quote applies to more than just tennis. In work and life, most obstacles that prevent you from performing at your peak live inside your head. The job of a great coach is to give you the tools to overcome those obstacles and maximize your performance as a leader.

While no professional athlete would attempt to compete without working with a coach, plenty of business leaders show up in high-stakes professional settings without the aid of a great coach. As a result, they often fail to live up to their potential.

The time you spend with your coach will equip you with the tools to support the people who depend on you at work and at home. You are at the start of a grand journey of growth and self-discovery. Show up with an open mind and you’ll be amazed at how you can grow.

What is Exec?

Exec is the talent development platform that gives organizations and their employees access to world-class coaching and training.

Our coaches have been carefully selected. Out of the 10,000+ coaches who have applied to Exec, we only work with 2% of applicants. The coaches we work with all undergo a rigorous vetting process to ensure they're equipped to serve our clients. We believe the best leadership coaches should have well-honed coaching abilities as well as extensive operational experience.

Our platform is designed to give you the flexibility to determine your coaching journey. With Exec's platform, you can:

• Book sessions with the coaches you want

• Schedule sessions on-demand

• Get matched with coaches who can support your goals

We highly encourage you to provide ratings and reviews for your coaching sessions so we can help make sure you get the most out of your coaching journey.

How do I book my intro session?

When it comes time to book your coaching intro session, your program administrator will invite you to your organization's workspace.

Once you're invited, you'll receive an email that will let you set a password and access your coaching dashboard.

On the dashboard, you'll see a "Find My Coach" button that will take you to a survey. The questions you answer in the survey will help Exec suggest coaches who might be a great fit. You'll have the opportunity to review multiple coach profiles until you find one who you want to book an intro session with.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I consider when selecting a coach to book an intro session with?

An intro session is your opportunity to get to know a coach and ensure that the fit is right before you commit to working together. While it's worth taking the selection process seriously, you should also keep in mind that you can book multiple intro sessions, if you'd like.

Here are a few factors to consider when deciding who to book an intro session with:

• Work Experience. Coach profiles have a "Work Highlights" section that features roles they've held and companies they've worked for. You may want to prioritize booking an intro session with a coach who has experience dealing with similar challenges to the ones you're facing in your job.

• Credentials. Profiles also feature any certifications and degrees the coaches have attained, which can help you get a sense of their coaching experience.

• Reviews. At the bottom of each profile, you'll find reviews from past clients. It's worth reading these to understand what other clients found valuable.

• Compatibility. It's important to have good chemistry with your coach. As you read through a coach's profile, ask yourself whether you resonate with their approach to coaching.

• Availability. Make sure the coach you choose has the availability to book sessions that match the times you're free.

• Credit Price. We give coaches the option to charge anywhere from 1-5 credits for an intro session. If you want to try intro sessions with multiple coaches, you may want to select coaches who charge fewer credits. The amount of credits a coach charges does not represent their quality as a coach.

What can I work on with my coach?

You get to decide what you work on with your coach. But here are some common topics clients like to focus on during their leadership coaching sessions:

• Influence. Gain the confidence to present yourself authentically and get recognition from peers.

• Leadership Development. Equip yourself with the skills to inspire and empower others.

• Interpersonal Dynamics. Hone your emotional intelligence so you can collaborate more effectively with your peers and direct reports.

• Time Management & Productivity. Accomplish more by increasing your productivity and focus.

• Strategic Planning. Get better at setting goals, planning projects, and getting results.

• Job Transitions. Set yourself up for success as you onboard into a new role and start working with new team members.

How should I prepare for my intro session with a new coach?

Getting coached is not a passive activity. It's important that you show up to your first session with the right state of mind. While your coach will help guide you, here are some good ways to prepare for your intro session.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 the coach is a good fit for you.

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

• 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.

What are some good questions to ask my coach during our 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?

What if I want to try working with a different coach?

Exec makes it easy to try out sessions with multiple coaches.

As long as you have credits in your account, you can book sessions with as many coaches as you'd like.

That said, you'll get much more out of coaching if you develop a relationship with a coach over multiple sessions.

Are my coaching sessions confidential?

Confidentiality is essential to building the trust needed for a meaningful relationship between you and your coach. The content of 1:1 coaching sessions is confidential between you and your coach. Neither your employer nor Exec has access to the content of your coaching sessions.

Further Questions?

If you have any additional questions about Exec how to get the most out of coaching, please don't hesitate to drop us a note at hello@exec.com. We'd love to hear from you!