Thomas Watson, Founder & Managing PartnerIn an interview with Manage HR, Thomas Watson, Founder & Managing Partner of Thomas Watson Group, shares insights into the company’s approach and value propositions.
Challenges Existing in Executive Coaching Space
The coaching space has exploded. However, what we consistently hear is board members and business leaders have had trouble finding qualified executive coaches with real world experience in the C-suite. The CHROs and their CEOs providing companysponsored executive coaching struggle to find a certified coach that their leaders will respect (someone who’s “been there and done that”). We also hear that same refrain from individual leaders who independently have been seeking a coach and are willing to fund coaching out of their own pocket.
I can personally relate to this problem. When I was seeking a coach myself years ago, I wanted a former executive who could fully understand the topics I wanted to discuss. I interviewed a lot of really nice people with good intentions, but I wasn’t satisfied until I found someone who had held the position of CEO. His knowledge of life in the corner office significantly enriched our discussions. It’s just hard for someone who hasn’t been in the C-suite environment personally to meaningfully contribute and add value. When you work with a coach who was a former executive, you do not need to spend an inordinate amount of time explaining the issues or the dynamics involved. More importantly, the perspective they bring is informed and battle tested.
Executive Coaching Solutions for Clients
Whenever a client contacts us, we conduct an exploratory call to understand the topic they want to discuss. Based on that conversation, we objectively seek to match them with the right coach, which may be someone outside TWG.
For example, we don’t do life coaching. If we get those kinds of requests, I’ll refer them to somebody who has interest and experience in that area. But whenever clients approach us with topics that are within our area of expertise, whether that’s going through their business plans, their strategic plans, or issues with somebody on their management team, we conduct a discovery session to learn more about what they are hoping to achieve.
While doing this, we oftentimes find that the initial topic that they described is different than the issue(s) they really need to solve. We then conduct a situational analysis, which may include a formal assessment and interviews with key stakeholders. From there, we diagnose the situation objectively and help them explore options and co-create an action plan.
Customer Success Stories of TWG
We have helped people with varied goals, needs, and challenges, but our sweet spot is oriented around growth, company growth and individual professional growth. Some of the ways we’ve made an impact include helping founders refine their sales plans and enabling leaders to determine the right steps to achieve their career aspirations. For example, one of our clients was trying to get her new business to the break-even point. Our work revolved around her approach to selling, in particular, her lack of concentration on her highest potential prospects. Through coaching, it became clear she was getting distracted by opportunities that popped up, but were less significant. It can be hard not to chase revenue that’s right in front of you, even if you know it is modest and may have a low ROI.
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We have helped people with varied goals, needs, and challenges, but our sweet spot is oriented around growth, company growth and individual professional growth
Another example involved EI (or EQ); in this coaching engagement, the high-strung executive was aware of his propensity to get enraged by peers and staff that were less expeditious and competent at getting things done. However, he didn’t have a framework to help control his outbursts, nor accept that not everyone operates as he does. We experimented with a lot of techniques and tactics over a six-month period, and ultimately found the solutions that worked best for that particular leader.
Differentiating Factors in Executive Coaching Space
Our coaching philosophy is grounded in the Columbia University Coaching Process. Columbia reinforces the notion that a good coach engages and contributes. Many coaches just ask question after question. My approach is quite different, it is typical for me to say at some point during a coaching engagement, “may I put my consulting hat on for a minute” and then offer some advice, which may be contrary to the direction an executive was heading in. The ability to leverage my past experience as a former operating executive is what clients state over and over they value most.
Since TWG offers both coaching and recruiting, a client company can consider the benefits of coaching a “known” leader, possessing a majority of the right characteristics and traits, vs. going straight to a search process. It’s a huge advantage to offer clients the opportunity to either coach current talent up or go to search. It’s not always a clear-cut decision; sometimes, CEOs, CHROs and other leaders want to deliberate a bit before making such a pivotal move.
Contact TWG at 614-743-6467 or info@thomaswatsongroup.com
