Executive coaching – another set of clothes for the Emperor?

Executive coaching is a fast growing business, at least in the 'usual suspect' economies of the developed world. And there are no shortage of individuals, firms and educational institutions ready and willing to provide it. Just try entering the term into Google to see just how many (this morning the search generated over 770,000 results - a little behind 'royal wedding' with 46 million, but you get the picture). But just how effective is it?...

Perhaps, however, the most effective coach of all is staring back at you from the bathroom mirror every morning, at least in the view of another business school, the Desautels Faculty at McGill University in Canada. Great believers in the idea that working out the answers for yourself is often the most effective approach to problems, they have deliberately created space in their MBA program, whereby students get an opportunity every week to switch off the phone, email and internet and engage in some good old-fashioned reflection. Liberating the inner coach, it seems, may still be possible in the modern world. But only if you're prepared for the peace and quiet which most of today's professionals and managers can only dream about.

Read full article: Forbes, January 21, 2011