WHAT IS STRATEGY COACHING? TOP KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND FUTURIST CONSULTANT EXPLAINS

The practice of strategy consulting is even more en vogue as of late. As the modern business environment grows more complex and fast-paced, even the most seasoned executives can benefit from unbiased guidance on leading strategic initiatives. That’s where strategy coaching comes in – serving as a confidential sounding board for leaders to evaluate opportunities, set strategic direction, and drive organizational transformation. But what exactly does this specialty coaches service entail?

At its core, the practice provides leaders with an experienced confidant to discuss ideas, gain insights, and develop plans related to high-level change and long-term positioning. Strategy coaching experts draw on research and patterns seen across multiple companies to advise on positioning an organization for sustainable success. While coaching was historically more focused on leadership development at an individual level, the particular niche zooms out to organizational performance, change management across divisions, and responding to evolving industry dynamics.

From a 30,000 foot view, strategy coaching typically entails an initial deep dive into an organization’s internal and external environment, competitive differentiators, pain points and capabilities. Consultants use this baseline assessment to better tailor advice to a company’s unique circumstances, unlike a blanket best practices approach. With custom insights in hand, the consultant then partners with leaders in interactive working sessions to pressure test ideas, clarify strategic priorities, identify obstacles, and hone executable plans. Dialogues aim to provide unfiltered feedback in a safe space before ideas reach a wider audience.

Quality service combines analytical rigor with people-centered change leadership guidance. Beyond just producing strategic recommendation documents, the coach partners with executives to align and communicate with stakeholders, especially when initiatives require changing gears. The support for implementing and operationalizing strategy can involve everything from vision casting workshops to guiding post-mortems of key milestones. The coach doubles as a leadership confidant throughout a transformation journey rather than just prescribing plans and disappearing.

At its heart, strategy coaching accelerates strategic thinking and quality decision making by providing veteran expertise tailored to a company’s unique situation. It not only helps leaders evaluate options and define strategic priorities with clarity, but also aids in rallying people around a change-oriented vision through inclusive communication and stakeholder engagement. With so much on their plates, executives have a tremendous asset in an advisor dedicated to strategy, optimization and organizational advancement.