Business represents a never-ending landscape of competition, challenge and intrigue. Knowing how to navigate it to achieve maximum well-being, growth, and profitability is difficult enough with the right mentors and support. It is almost impossible without help, and this truth applies equally to indiviudals in small, medium and large companies. Even sole proprieters benefit by keeping up to date with support and knowledge gained by attending conferences and the mentorship gained through an outside consultant.

Executive coaching is defined as a professional relationship between a trained coach and a client (who may be an individual or a group) with the goal to enhance the client’s leadership or management performance and development. While there are organizations that train people to become professional exeuctive coaches, and some are very good, there are really few better training grounds than the even more extensive knowledge and experience gained in becoming and working as a licensed clinical and sports performance psychologist.

In addition to working with athletes, coaches and parents, an important part of Dr. John F. Murray‘s practice over the past 20 years has been helping all sorts of business people to function better in the work environment, manage people better and lead more effectively. The benefits of executive coaching with an expert who can address a wide range of possible clinical issues, and develop specfic mental skills, only adds to the quality of the work.

The many situations executives find themselves needing help with are always unique, always dependent on the unique characteristics of the person and vastly influenced by the corporate culture. The process of executive coaching, however, is not unlike working with the quarterback of an NFL team. The strategies employed to reduce anxiety, increase confidence, promote leadership, and set and achieve smart goals, for example, are almost exactly the same!

Smart executive coaching always begins with a solid and comprehensive indiviudual evaluation to determine what the most important issues are. It involves learning the history of the indiviudal or individuals, getting to know the unique challenges faced at work, and developing rapport and a good working relationship. When it is done systematically and with great attention to detail there is no way the executive does not grow to become a much more effective business person.

Here are just a few of the areas in which benefits of executive coaching are seen after hiring a consultant: (1) improved sales techniques, (2) improved communication, (3) more effective leadership, (4) enhanced motivation and passion, (5) more efficient management and organizational skills, (6) better resilience to deal with adversity, (7) enhanced confidence, and (8) overall better acheivement through goal-setting and visualization.

It is often said that working smarter rather than harder is often the key to success. Finding a good executive coach is a way to greatly improve the quality of daily professional activities and mental skills too. It is based on solid research findings. It comes with the positive mentorship and support inherent in the client-consultant relationship. The relationship alone is a huge help.

Here is what a trial attorney said after a series of executive coaching sessions: “John, you are an outstanding coach and your training got me to another level as a trial attorney. I’d recommend you to anyone. Your tools are invaluable, for anyone who wants to take their skills to another level..no matter the profession. Maybe these cynics will finally learn. Unorthodox for a successful attorney to get coaching? Maybe. But you proved to me it’s of stratospheric value. I’m a believer” FRANK GOLDSTEIN, Trial Attorney, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.