The Stigma of Executive Coaching

Photo: office.microsoft.com

A recent study from Stanford University has found that few CEOs actually receive external leadership advice, reinforcing long-held concerns about a "stigma" associated with executive coaching for those in the corner office.

The study, conducted by the Stanford Graduate School of Business, the Miles Group and Stanford's Rock Center for Corporate Governance, discovered that roughly two-thirds of CEOs do not receive leadership advice or coaching from outside consultants. Half of the more than 200 respondents did not receive any outside mentoring.

"Given how vitally important it is for the CEO to be getting the best possible counsel ... it's concerning that so many of them are 'going it alone,'" Stephen Miles, CEO of the Miles Group, said in a press release announcing the study's results. "Even the best-of-the-best CEOs have their blind spots."

More than 75% of the CEOs who do receive coaching said it was his or her idea to seek outside assistance. And those who receive coaching assistance rarely, if ever, divulge to co-workers or board members that they have received help.

Several areas were mainstays among CEOs who sought out leadership advice: delegation, conflict management, mentoring and team building. Conversely, few leaders asked for assistance in areas such as empathy and persuasion/motivational skills.