| The perception of executive coaching from the executive's perspective is the topic of this descriptive study. The executive coaching described is specifically related to the following coaching behaviors: (a) asking questions, (b) listening, (c) giving feedback, and (d) building trust. The executives participating in this study are attending a 2-week Executive Program with a curriculum based on strategy, marketing, employee involvement and leadership. Internal executive coaches work with the executives to foster a deeper learning in coaching behaviors, business goals, and leadership competencies. Coaching begins at the Residential Training Center during the 2-week Executive Program and continues when the executive returns to work for 45 days through implementation of the project plan. A combination quantitative and qualitative survey was developed by the researcher to determine the executive's experience of the coaching behaviors. The survey then determines if these behaviors help transfer the learning to practical application of the business goals and leadership competencies. The survey was administered at the end of the 2-week training and again as a post survey 45 days after returning to work. The findings are that 60% of the executives rated the perceived coaching behaviors at a 4 (Agree) or a 5 (Strongly Agree) on the Likert Scale at the end of the 2-week training and again after 45 days. However, 60% of the executives rated the transfer of learning to practical application of business goals and leadership competencies below 4 (3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree; 2 = Disagree; 1 = Strongly Disagree) during that time period. |
