Why All CEOs Deserve Their Own Executive Coach

This blog was originally written by Dave Pye, REC mentor and consultant. For more information about how Dave can help your business, contact the REC on 020 7009 2100 or speak to your REC Account manager today.

The role of a coach in athletics has been at the forefront of much of the media in recent months. Jessica Ennis-Hill returned to world class competition having taken time away with her new baby and she won Gold at the World Athletic Championships in Beijing. She took time out to thank her coach, Tony Minchello, for his support, advice and hard work as he helped Ennis-Hill to rise to the very top of her sport once again. Our own Alistair Cook praised the England batting coach as he led England to another victory in the Ashes. And, you may never have heard of the name Dan Pfaff, if it wasn’t for Greg Rutherford’s astonishing success in Beijing when he became World Champion to add to his Olympic, European and Commonwealth Gold Medals.

(Pop quiz question – who are the only other four Britons to hold all four of the major championship Golds? Answer at the end of the article)

Injury had all but destroyed Rutherford’s chances at the last World Championships in Daegu in 2011, but with the assistance of “an unparalled coach in Dan Pfaff”, Rutherford redesigned his technique to ensure it never happened again.

Bill Gates worked with an executive coach and insisted his top team had access to the support and guidance that a coach can give

In many respects our business leaders of today are equally as ‘famous’ and at the forefront of public perception as many of our athletes. Eric Smidt of Google has stated many times that business leaders should have a coach. Bill Gates worked with an executive coach or mentor and insisted his top team had access to the support and guidance that a coach can give. Scores of companies across the country have made coaching a key part of executive development.

If it is good enough for our top performers in sport and is clearly good enough for our leading world business people, why not you?

If you are a successful business leader, and I am assuming that you are to be involved with the REC, isn’t it time for you to think about you?

Who from outside your business can help you address questions such as:

• What do you feel may be the big hurdles in your business?
• How do you feel about your business right now; today; this week?
• What methods are you using to bring resolution to a problem that has been bugging you?
• How would it impact your organisation if this problem wasn’t resolved or if it was resolved more swiftly?

I believe that in the future many business leaders will work with an executive coach or mentor in the same way that successful athletes do. Coaching can become a competitive edge for organisations’ leaders. It can help you become the very best version of yourself as a business leader in much the same way that Jessica, Rory or Alistair have become leaders in their respective sports.

I have been working in business for 25 years mainly in the recruitment sector which means that I love asking questions and finding out what motivates individuals to be successful. I have worked alongside some of the recruitment industries most innovative and fun people and have enjoyed a stellar career along the way. Practically speaking, the REC mentors and I can help to bring a strategic plan to life; work through stressful interpersonal situations; develop new ways to attack old problems and sharpen existing skills within your organisation.

When I faced both a personal challenge and a business challenge I put both things together to create Oscar Delano & Associates. The organisation brings together my passion for supporting senior executives as they grow their businesses. You can’t know what you don’t know however, you can talk with someone who can see a different angle or suggest another view. One thing that executive coaches are not are counsellors or therapists – we are there directly for you as the business leader, to support you as you lead your business.

I work with a number of recruitment and tech businesses and love what I do. Oscar Delano clients range from big data analytic companies to one of Essex’s premier dental practices. It is a varied bunch but all have one thing in common: each leader wants the absolute very best for their businesses. All leaders want a coach to point out something new, to listen to a viewpoint in confidence or to advise on a new direction. 

Personally, I am married with six amazing kids. I am an inveterate traveler and as you might have guessed, a very keen sports fan. The business I run supports those parents who have lost a child at a very young age in memory of Billy Pye, my son, who died at birth 10 years ago.

If you fancy meeting up to see if we could work together I would be delighted to do so. The reality is about the chemistry between two people and the passion for business shared.

I wish you every success as you become the Greg Rutherford or Jessica Ennis-Hill (or Eric Smidt!) of your business. If I can help you confidentially along the way, then please get in touch with the REC.

The answers to the question -  Along with Greg, only Daley Thompson, Sally Gunnell, Linford Christie and Jonathan Edwards have held all four major championships Gold medals.