The “art” of executive coaching at the top: Using clients’ self-imagery as a tool for high impact.

Abstract

The “ art ” of coaching at the top is considered metaphorically and discussed in this article as a co-creation between client and coach. This co-creation is catalyzed by the client ’ s self-imagery — explicit and highly visual imagery — of how they see themselves as leaders at the beginning, midway, and at the end of coaching. The evocation of this self-imagery is a foundational act at the outset of a coaching engagement and is accomplished by the coach ’ s use of a speci fi c technique, the visual leadership metaphor (VLM). With the use of this technique, client and coach get rapidly aligned in the identi fi cation of client-centered thematic material that not only informs the course of the coaching but also intensi fi es the quality of their connection and ensures traction toward achieving the client ’ s growth objective as a leader. Based on the author ’ s analysis of 180 VLMs, eight overarching coaching themes are identi fi ed. These eight themes and a description of the speci fi c coaching tools used are also provided. Important research questions are raised, and practitioners may fi nd value in considering this conceptualization of co-creation; in doing so, they may evolve their own art in the coaching of top business leaders.