By Dr. Mickey Parsons, MCC | Founder of The Workplace Coach
Perhaps you’re a VP preparing for the C-suite, a manager learning to lead other leaders, or an executive working through a difficult transition. You know something needs to shift, but you may be less certain about the support that would help.
I’ve been coaching leaders since 1999, and my starting point is a simple question: What does your leadership need to look like for the responsibilities you have now and those you’re preparing to take on?
When comparing Atlanta executive coaching providers, look for someone who understands that question and can help you turn insight into action. Here’s what I encourage leaders and organizations to consider.
An executive coaching firm partners with leaders to strengthen how they think, make decisions, and work with others. The focus should be on helping you become more effective in the situations that matter to your leadership.
That might mean learning to delegate real authority, developing the managers who report to you, or moving from advocating for your function to making decisions for the whole enterprise.
A consultant may recommend specific business solutions. A coach helps you examine your thinking, consider options, and develop approaches you can own and put into practice.
Some corporate coaching engagements involve an employer sponsor; others are arranged by the individual. Either way, clarify whose goals are being addressed and how everyone will understand progress.
Start with the coach’s qualifications, then pay attention to how they engage with you. You should feel heard and be willing to have your thinking challenged.
Ask about professional coach training, education, credentials, and experience with leaders facing similar responsibilities.
Look for experience relevant to your stage of leadership. Coaching a new manager and supporting a VP preparing for enterprise responsibility involve different challenges.
As a coach educator, I value solid preparation and continued development. I also encourage you to look beyond the résumé: How does this person help leaders learn and change?
You need enough trust to talk honestly about what’s working and where you feel stuck. You also need a coach who can challenge you thoughtfully. Ask who will actually coach you, how the firm makes that match, and what happens if the fit isn’t right.
Ask the coach to walk you through the engagement. How will you identify priorities, gather feedback, and turn what you learn into practice?
Assessments can add perspective when they serve a clear purpose. Ask why a particular tool is being recommended and how the results will inform your development.
The plan should reflect your responsibilities and give you room to apply what you’re learning between sessions.
Be especially clear about confidentiality when your employer sponsors coaching. Agree in advance on what stays between you and the coach, any limits to confidentiality, and what may be shared with your organization. You should understand how consent and progress reporting will work before you begin.
One question I encourage clients to consider is, “What would your colleagues notice you doing differently if coaching were successful?” That moves the conversation toward observable changes in leadership, such as:
Agree on the indicators that matter at the outset, then revisit them. Feedback from colleagues or other stakeholders can help you see whether new behaviors are taking hold.
Listen for what’s changing between sessions. Are you approaching conversations differently? Are others taking greater ownership? Use those observations to adjust the development plan.
Business results matter, too, but they reflect more than coaching alone. Be thoughtful about what you measure and what you attribute to the engagement.
An initial conversation should give you a feel for both the coach and the way the firm works. Along with the questions above, ask:
Notice whether the coach is curious about you. Do they ask questions that help you think? Can they explain their approach clearly? Those early conversations can tell you a great deal about fit.
Compare the complete engagement when weighing fees, including the coach’s experience and the support included beyond the sessions themselves.
An Atlanta-based firm may make it easier to meet in person and connect around the local business context.
Give equal attention to expertise and fit. Ask how in-person or virtual sessions will work with your schedule and the way you prefer to learn.
At The Workplace Coach, we partner with leaders and organizations in Atlanta and beyond. We begin by defining what progress would look like, use assessment and feedback where helpful, and co-create a development plan. Coaching then supports practice, reflection, and follow-through.
Our work includes executive and team coaching, along with leadership development. Take time to explore our coaches’ backgrounds and discuss who would be a good match for your needs.
Executive coaching focuses on how you lead and the impact you have on others and the organization. Business coaching may also address business growth, strategy, or operational challenges. The terms can overlap, so ask what the provider’s approach would look like for you.
Some engagements last several months, while others provide shorter or ongoing support. The right timeframe depends on your goals and the scope of the work. Ask for clear review points and enough time to practice new behaviors between sessions.
No. Coaching can support emerging leaders, managers, business owners, and professionals preparing for greater responsibility. The work should reflect your stage of leadership and what you need to develop next.
Consider relevant experience, professional preparation, coach fit, and a clear process for setting goals and reviewing progress. Meet the person who would coach you and discuss confidentiality, fees, and expectations before committing.
Whether you’re choosing a coach for yourself or investing in someone on your team, start with what you want to be different.
At The Workplace Coach, our focus is helping executives succeed and equipping leaders for what’s next.
If you’re exploring executive coaching in Atlanta, let’s talk about where you are now, what’s ahead, and the support that would help you move forward.
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