10/16/2024

Unlocking Executive Growth

Why some leaders soar while others stall

Almost every executive aspires to grow and expand their leadership capabilities. They fill their toolboxes with strategies and tune their "antenna" to sense when to use them. But if growth is the goal, why do so many executives fall short? What's holding them back?

The intent to improve is admirable—who doesn't want to be better, faster, and smarter? But continuous growth is incredibly challenging. We see some leaders show up as high flyers in one context, only to lose altitude in another. Others repeatedly switch companies for a "fresh start" but bring the same old tools. Then, there are those who begin their careers with a hunger for learning but plateau once they succeed, turning into "know-it-alls" who resist further growth. They enter a stage of executive stasis without even realizing it.

Despite the billions invested in executive development, many programs fall short of delivering lasting impact. Leaders leave week-long programs feeling inspired but fail to implement new ideas once they're back in the daily grind. Even executive coaching can fall into this trap, acting more as a "therapy session" without tangible progress. For coaching to truly drive growth, it needs to go beyond conversation and delve into actionable steps. This means integrating deep business context and focused, practical guidance that equips leaders to make real changes. The most effective coaching transforms insights into outcomes, helping leaders build a toolkit that enhances their impact and supports sustained growth.

Please select this link to read the complete article from Forbes.