Profile from the book,

The Art and Practice of Leadership Coaching
50 Top Executive Coaches Reveal Their Secrets

Edited by Howard Morgan, Phil Harkins, and Marshall Goldsmith

Published by Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Marian Baker

Most clients come to me with some variation of the question: “Is this all there is?” out of 1) a craving to make a change and/or 2) a calling to make a difference. Coaching helps each client discover or fuel his/her enthusiastic mission. By this, I don’t mean that we go through the exercise of writing a pithy mission statement that languishes in a binder. I mean a mission that is alive and multi-dimensional. It may be a business, project, renewed vision, a career or life adventure. Using a “Passion Meets Profit” matrix, we identify how the client’s passions and talents intersect with what a relevant group (an industry, organization, team, clients, etc.) needs and “what others are willing to pay for.” This leads to breakthroughs about new strategies, optimal uses of talent, effective communications and more. We also look at following a “joyful mission” as a way of operating so that each day is infused with greater focus and a sense of triumph.

As coach, I serve as confidential sounding board, life-watcher/co-learner, brainstorm partner, and devoted champion. Not being friend, boss, spouse, etc. puts the coach in a uniquely powerful place of having no ulterior motives or inhibiting concerns. A great coach is optimistic, but not a Pollyanna cheerleader. Nurturing is balanced with healthy challenges and kicks in the butt. I’ve learned that clients can take and appreciate more “tough love” than we often assume. My approach focuses on future possibilities and unlocking potential, not past mistakes or correcting problems. I encourage clients to take a holistic approach – to access the compass of one’s heart, fuel physical energy, and give birth to bold plans of the mind. We create provocative conversations that lead to sustainable positive changes.

I heard the following quip at a Linkage conference and have quoted it ever since. “In an encounter with a good coach, you walk away impressed with the coach. With a great coach, you walk away impressed with yourself.” Let’s assume that coaching training, credentials and experience are a given. Beyond that it’s about chemistry and qualities that are salient to your unique preferences. You want a coach who has the ability to not just listen well, but to listen for. I am almost always on a treasure hunt, listening for underlying themes, values, patterns, strengths, possible new solutions and so on. Clients say they feel pleasantly surprised at what we are able to draw out of them. You also want a coach who does not give advice, but does share wisdom. It’s the co-active coach’s oath to never tell anyone what to do. However, it’s relevant that I’ve been a zealous student of adult development, whole health and leadership for decades and worked with hundreds of clients by now. I share principles, an ever-growing collection of pragmatic tools and intuitive insights that could help a client become a better master of his own life/work voyage.

I always come back to that model of trusting the client has the answer. You also want to feel genuinely accountable to your coach. You want to feel like she is in your corner, thinking of you, cheering you on (maybe inside your head between sessions) and expecting a report or other specifics from you. Lastly, I would want a coach to be playful, funny, smart and great at brainstorming new possibilities.

Effective coaching should be a catalyst for you to arrive at insights, solutions, new ideas, and behaviors that you would not have achieved on your own. “How will we know if we have been successful?” is clearly established up-front. Progress “temperature checks” are taken throughout. I often use 0—10 scales to help assess effectiveness. As an example, a “Performance Plus Leadership Inventory” asks clients (and other feedback partners) to score satisfaction/competence of factors such as being an inspiring communicator, creating clear boundaries or empowering others. Coaching supports the client in reaching his desired higher scores and authentic self-confidence. Depending on the coaching engagement (6 months or 6 years and going strong), the measurements of success evolve. We never stop checking to ensure that the coaching investment is extremely worthwhile and the client feels a sense of deepened learning and forward movement.

Marian was nominated by a client and then selected to be profiled in this 50 Top Coaches best practices book, published by Wiley & Sons in 2005.

Marian Baker is a certified professional coach whose clients experience breakthroughs in creating true fulfillment in life, livelihood and leadership. Called "The Queen of Powerful Questions" by a leader of Coaches Training Institute, she is co-author of the Awakening Corporate Soul; High Performance, High Fulfillment workbook and author of the upcoming book, Wake Up Inspired: Fuel Healthier Success and Love the Life You’re Meant to Lead. Marian has been featured in The Chicago Tribune, The Chicago Sun Times and Health magazine. She admires her clients and is committed to fueling that rewarding mission each person is meant to express. She can be reached via email at marian@marianbaker.com or by phone at (773) 509-9408.