(PressMediaWire) - During Tough Economic Times, Executive Coaching Helps Companies Avoid Expensive Executive Searches and Retain Internal Talent, Says Certified Executive Coach Cathy Shaughnessy of Kitchener, Ontario's Perspective In Action
A recent survey
revealed that 78% of executives see coaching as beneficial to their
career growth. But what can an executive coach mean to an
organization's bottom line?
"Executive coaching may seem like an unnecessary expense at first glance--especially in a slowing economy," says Certified Executive Coach Cathy Shaughnessy
of Kitchener, Ontario. "But actually, it's so expensive to hire from
the outside, especially at the executive level. So organizations find
that executive coaching
pays big dividends when it allows them to build capacity in existing
staff, and retain and grow talent inside the organization."
Carla
Ladd concurs. "I am totally convinced that [executive coaching] is one
of the most important tools we can put into succession planning for our
organization," says the Chief Administrative Officer of the City of
Kitchener, Ontario. "We thought it might be better to train internal
staff to do executive coaching. But I'm completely sold on the idea
that you have to have an external coach with no other connections with
what you're doing."
Certified Executive Coach Cathy Shaughnessy
says that "by definition, an executive is anyone with administrative or
managerial authority in an organization. People in these positions face
a variety of challenges as they move from role to role throughout their
careers. An organization may have years--or decades--invested in an
executive-level employee, only to see them hired away. That's not
uncommon if the executive can't see a clear career path inside the
organization."
Shaughnessy says her goal is to help talented
people keep improving their leadership and administrative skills,
whether they are growing in place, moving to the next level, or
creating their leadership legacy. "Coaching can be both a tool for
professional development, and a 'perk' or benefit offered to an
upwardly mobile administrator or manager," says Shaughnessy.
After
he was hired as the Chief Administrative Officer of the City of London,
Ontario, Jeff Fielding had to transition into a role where he would
oversee oversee 2,500 full-time and part-time employees and an $800
million budget. Fielding worked with Shaughnessy to develop his
presentation and communication skills — skills he need to conduct
management preparatory training for 360 of his new employees.
"Because
there were so many in the program, we had to train them in small
groups," says Fielding. "Cathy's coaching helped me achieve consistency
of message and presentation, so each group got the same message. But
without having to compromise my own personal style." He continues,
"Cathy helped me identify my strengths and the weaknesses that were
inhibiting me from reaching a higher degree of potential. She really
helped me sort out what my career aspirations were and what I needed to
change to achieve them. With Cathy's help, I was able to become more
effective in my position while also bringing more balance into my work
life."
And executive coaching isn't just for the public sector.
Edilson Chimilovski had been with St. Mary's Cement, Inc. for 15 years.
The senior manager of corporate procurement was wondering what he could
do to keep developing in his position at his company.
"Friends
recommended I try executive coaching. I worked with Cathy Shaughnessy
for 12 weeks and I'm already starting to see results…good feedback from
my employees and working better with my own peers. It wasn't what I was
expecting…I thought Cathy would tell me what to do about certain
issues. Instead she listened to me and helped me define my own winning
strategy to help me achieve my own goals."
Says Shaughnessy,
"When I'm able to help someone like Edilson be more effective--and
happier--in his current position or within an organization, that
employee is more productive and more loyal. And that can really protect
an organization's investment in that employee."
More information about Executive Coaching with Cathy Shaughnessy is available online at www.PerspectiveInAction.com.
About Cathy Shaughnessy
Certified Executive Coach and professional speaker Cathy Shaughnessy is a member of the International Coach Federation, the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers and the National Speakers Association.
Cathy works primarily with senior executives as a thinking partner,
performance strategist and action catalyst. Coaching clients have
included executives at the Ministry of the Environment, Navantis,
Research in Motion, Microsoft Canada and Manulife Financial. Prior to
launching her executive coaching practice, Cathy was a founding partner
of ShaughnessyHowell, an award winning training organization recognized
by the Canadian Society for Training and Development.
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CONTACT:
Cathy Shaughnessy, Certified Executive Coach
Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Perspective In Action
Phone: 519-579-0070
Cell: 519-240-2063
Email: shaughnessy @ perspectiveinaction.com
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