4th Annual SIOP Leading Edge Consortium:
Executive Coaching for Effective Performance: Leading Edge Practice & Research

Jeffrey McHenry
Microsoft Corporation

SIOP’s 4th Annual Leading Edge Consortium is scheduled October 17–18 at the Westin Cincinnati. The consortium is unique in its approach by bringing together leading edge thinkers—practitioners, researchers, and HR executives—to examine issues in an intimate setting that fosters stimulating dialogue among colleagues. The focus of this year’s consortium is executive coaching.

Interest in coaching has exploded during the past 10 years.  In the 1970s and 1980s, executives and managers who were assigned coaches typically had serious performance challenges and were in danger of derailment.  There was a stigma attached to individuals who were working with coaches.  This began to change in the 1990s, when seasoned and very successful executives began to use coaches as confidantes and trusted advisors who could help them maintain their leadership edge, much the same as professional athletes rely on coaches to help them remain at the top of their game.

In the current decade, the demand for executive coaches has exploded again, with many successful executives speaking openly about their coaching relationship and the benefits they obtain from coaching and many high-potential emerging leaders asking their organizations to provide them with coaches to help them accelerate their careers.  There is no longer a stigma to working with an executive coach; it is now a sign that one has “arrived.”

Psychologists from a wide variety of disciplines—industrial-organizational, clinical, counseling and consulting psychology, to name just a few—have gravitated to executive coaching during the past decade.  Each discipline contributes a unique theoretical perspective and knowledge base.  Coaching has become a popular subject at psychology conferences, including topics such as (a) goals of coaching interventions and measurement of coaching outcomes, (b) dynamics of the coaching relationship and their impact on coaching outcomes, (c) the role of assessment in coaching, (d) professional qualifications for executive coaches, (e) best practices in use of executive coaches in organizations, (f) ethics in coaching, and (g) executive perspectives on executive coaching.  During the past 5 years, our applied wisdom about the effectiveness and dynamics of executive coaching has grown, and there is growing research literature on executive coaching.

At this year’s leading edge consortium, we’ll take stock of what we know about executive coaching.  The conference will be organized around the following topics:

The psychology of coaching.  The key question is how coaching contributes to learning and behavior change.  We’ll look at some of the different theoretical perspectives that coaches bring to the coaching engagement and how these perspectives affect the role the coach plays and the dynamics of the coaching relationship.  We’ll examine potential personal and performance outcomes of the coaching relationship and discuss how the coach’s theoretical perspective and beliefs about coaching impact the outcomes targeted.  We’ll examine evidence from clinical and counseling psychology about how people learn through coaching and counseling.  Topic chair: Douglas McKenna, Oceanside Institute.

The impact of coaching.  Over the past 2–3 years, we have begun to develop research and measurement models to assess the impact of executive coaching.  We’ll look at those models and discuss some of the preliminary findings from empirical research.  We’ll get both executive and coach perspectives on the impact of coaching.  We’ll also look at empirical research from other closely related disciplines, such as clinical and counseling psychology, to help inform our understanding of the potential impact of coaching.  Topic chairs: Gina Hernez-Broome, Center for Creative Leadership, and Lisa Boyce, U.S. Air Force Academy.

Best practices in coaching: Perspectives from organizations and coaches.  Coaching has become a big business for consultants and a big expense for organizations.  We’ll hear from organizations about steps they’ve taken to ensure that they get the best possible ROI from their coaches (e.g., certifying coaches, training coaches on how the company’s competency model, hosting coaching conferences where they share coaching tips and best practices).  We’ll also learn about how coaches (and the consulting firms that employ them) are packaging their services to ensure that they are being used in a way that has impact.  This section will include a discussion of coaching ethics, including the coach’s obligation to the organization when the organization has hired and is paying for the coach.  Topic chairs:  Anna Marie Valerio, Executive Leadership Strategies, and Mariangela Battista, Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

Consortium attendance is limited to no more than 300 persons.  Each presentation will take place in a general session, with time provided for group discussions on special topics of interest to conference participants.  The design of the conference is conducive to interaction with presenters and networking with thought leaders in the field of executive coaching.  A popular feature of the event is the topical dinners, where attendees can select from an assortment of area restaurants to sample the Cincinnati cuisine and enjoy great discussion in the company of new and old friends.

This year’s consortium takes place at the Westin Cincinnati, which overlooks the historic Fountain Square.  This hotel offers an excellent location; you are downtown and within walking distance to National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Great American Ball Park, Paul Brown Stadium, U.S. Bank Arena, the Aronoff Center for the Performing Arts, and the Contemporary Arts Center.  This hotel also boasts great dining and fully renovated guest rooms. Room rates are $139. 

Registration cost is $425 on or before August 29 and $495 thereafter.  Consortium registration includes refreshment breaks and lunch on Friday and Saturday, plus receptions on Thursday and Friday evenings. Topical dinners are planned for Friday evening. You are encouraged to register promptly because seating is limited. To register, please go to http://www.siop.org/fallconsortium/.

We hope you will join us for this special event. See you in Cincinnati!