Coaching executives and senior managers is a lot like mentoring. It’s not about teaching new skills. It’s about helping executives realize their own power to become better leaders by increasing their ability to have a positive influence on others. Dr. Majer’s role as “coach” is to help you, the client, see your personal future more clearly and to map a plan for success. It’s all about you. Many leaders find themselves in a position of influence, i.e., executives and senior managers, and wonder about their role, where they want to go from here, and what they need to learn to get to the next level. Most often the ride up has been so quick and highly focused, they’ve not had the time to reflect, and they don’t have people around them that they can trust and confide in. After all, when you are in high level position, most of the folks around you are looking to you for leadership and direction. Those are not the people who can give you the insight and direction you need.

Coaching is mostly about listening, questioning, and providing feedback—probing the depths of skills, knowledge, and insights that are already in you as a leader. A coaching relationship is based in confidentiality, openness, honesty, and your desire to grow personally and professionally. And it can’t be foisted upon you. It is something you request because you believe you will benefit.

As a coach, Ken Majer is on your side. He is a neutral advocate. His role is not to flatter or to take your side; it is to help you gain insights into what’s best for you. You, as a coaching client, however, must be committed to straight talk and the truth. The coaching relationship is a contract of accountability for results. You and Ken will figure out together where you want to go, what you need to do to get there, and have measures in place to mark your success.

A coaching relationship is not for the feint of heart.