Whether you have been an executive for a long time, or have just reached the C-level, you may falsely believe that you don’t need a mentor or coach to help you hone your leadership skills. After all, if you weren’t already great, you wouldn’t have the position, would you?

Even if you realise that you could use some help, a few pointers to guide you in the right direction, or perhaps someone to act as an independent, confidential sounding board for your ideas and vision for the company, you may mistakenly believe that admitting you need help is a sign of weakness, and could make it easier for someone else to take your place.

While many of these beliefs have been quite popular in leadership circles in the past, times are changing. It is becoming more apparent to everyone that even the best and brightest leaders need a coach to help them “up their game,” and polish their skills, especially when it comes to the skills that make up our emotional intelligence.

The Statistics on Leaders Who Go Without Coaching and Ultimately Fail

If you are still on the fence about the need for leadership coaching, consider these sobering statistics that validate the need for executives of all ages, backgrounds and skill levels to receive leadership coaching.

• According to the Harvard Business Review, 2 out 5 newly minted CEOs fail within the first 18 months of being promoted or hired to the position.
• For the last 20 years, over 30% of Fortune 500 CEOs have failed in less than 3 years.
• Across the world, the average CEO lasts less than 7 ½ years in their position.
• 82% of leaders fail because they lack the emotional intelligence necessary to build partnerships and bridges with their peers and direct reports.

These statistics graphically portray a rather obvious fact – every leader can benefit from leadership coaching, regardless of who they are.

The Leader Isn’t the Only One to Benefit From Leadership Coaching

Leadership coaching doesn’t just benefit the executive who receives it. Statistics show that companies that provide employee training to everyone, including their top tier leaders, consistently outperform companies that don’t take the time, interest or funds to train their people. Not only are companies that train their leaders more profitable, they tend to have a stronger corporate culture and increased long term survivability. A wise leader will realise that no matter their skill level or experience, it is in the best interest of themselves and their company to seek out leadership coaching.

A leadership coach is not so much a teacher as a strategic partner that works with the leader by helping them to explore their ideas and goals. They are a candid and confidential guide that can help empower the leader to create the partnerships within the organisation that are necessary to effect change and move the company forward to achieve results that are measurable and focussed on goals.

Are You Ready to Shine Like a Diamond?

Even the hardest diamond must first be cut and polished so that the light can shine through it, revealing its unique sparkle and radiance. A leadership coach is just like the jeweller who shapes and polishes a fine gemstone so that its true beauty and worth can be revealed.  Regardless of your current experience and skill level, an experienced leadership coach can help you to polish and refine your skills and sharpen your focus so that both you and your entire organisation achieve more.

Are you ready to let your talents and the talents of your people shine? What are you waiting for? Contact us today and ask how leadership coaching can help you hone and improve your leadership skills, particularly your emotional intelligence.