Unlocking executive excellence

0 %

SOLUTIONS

High potential talent

Enhance emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and adaptability—skills essential for navigating complex business environments and strategic decision-making.

High potential talent

Our coaching approach

We use a trusted leadership advisor approach in high potential talent coaching, whereby the coach adds a more directive, advisory element to the coaching engagement to deepen the internalisation of the outcomes and embed ongoing leadership effectiveness.

This type of coaching helps leaders recognise strengths and areas for growth, fostering personal accountability and stronger team dynamics. It also encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability. By investing in the development of these individuals, organisations not only boost leader performance but also create a culture of continuous learning and engagement, encouraging long-term business success.

Our four-phase framework

1

Brief and matching

Engagements are set up for success through a comprehensive briefing with an SMG team member, combined with carefully selected coach/mentor meetings to fit the right fit for the leader.

2

Needs analysis

The coach/mentor determine the specific needs of the leader through exercises. This can include 360 assessments and 3rd party interviews. These are used to determine development areas and success outcomes.

3

Building relationships

The coach works with the leader to build trust, rapport and understand patters of behaviour, including drivers and motivators. This enables the coach to hone in on focus areas to meet success outcomes.

4

Measuring impact

Outcome-oriented development goals are measured for impact on self, teams and organisation. To understand sustained impact, stakeholders are engaged for feedback and insights.

What to expect

Our rigorous selection process sets the standard for only the most qualified and experienced coaches to support your high potential talent.

01

Unique combination of behavioural science, business acumen and contextual experience.

02

A deep understanding of organisation systems and power dynamics.

03

Experience in coaching and mentoring C-Suite and high-potential leaders.

04

Expertise in forming collaborative partnerships with key stakeholders.

05

Understanding of boundaries of confidentiality.

06

The ability to understand, develop and maintain a supported working relationship.

Executive coaching methods

A contextual approach

The core strengths of our executive coaching and mentoring methodologies, are in the ability to move fluidly between multiple modalities based on client needs. This flexibility, combined with our deep expertise in organisational psychology and behavioural science, places us at the forefront of executive coaching and mentoring in Australia.

What our clients say

The skills and insights gained from working with SMG have proven to be invaluable. Reporting to a board requires new skills to be developed, and I worked on a range of areas including influencing upwards, as well as delegation and managing downwards, managing stress levels and identifying key priorities. The program involved 360 degree feedback, allowing me to identify my characteristics and style, and helped me to identify the issues I needed to focus on to become more effective in my role. I believe the coaching progress has had significant benefits for both myself, and as a result, the company.

CEO, Insurance Company

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between coaching and mentoring?

Executive coaching and mentoring differ primarily in their objectives. Executive Coaching is task-oriented, aiming to enhance defined skills, behaviors, and performance.  Coaches provide structured feedback and hold executives accountable, helping them achieve measurable outcomes related to business objectives.

Mentoring is more relationship-focused and often involves long-term career and personal development. Mentors, in most cases are senior individuals with lived experienced in a similar industry or profession to that of their mentee, provide guidance based on their own experiences.

What does SMG offer that’s different to other coaching and mentoring firms?

Many coaching firms offer coaches with formal coaching qualifications. What sets SMG apart is the additional lived experience and commercial acumen of our Executive Coaches and Mentors. They have walked in the shoes of leaders, and bring with them decades of leadership experience. They understand the pressures faced at all levels of leadership.

How do I know if it’s the right time to be coached?

There is no right or wrong time for executive coaching. We look at leadership on a continuum, constantly being refined based on new experiences, regardless of career stage. Our team can work with you to define your objectives, challenges or obstacles, and determine the most appropriate modality to address your needs.

How long is a typical coaching engagement?

Our coaching engagements vary based on the needs of the leader or organisation. Generally coaching engagements range from 6-12 months.

How do you measure the impact of executive coaching?

Thorough impact assessments are a fundamental component of all SMG coaching, mentoring and leadership development programs. To provide depth of insight, we undertake 360 reviews, assess goal outcomes and interview 3rd parties. We assess impact on the individual, team and organisation.

How do I select a coach? How will I know if the executive coach is right for me?

After establishing a comprehensive brief with one of the SMG team members to understand what you are hoping to achieve from your coaching or mentoring engagement,  we provide you with Executive Coach/Mentor options based on our extensive network of experienced associates. We consider coach specialisations and how they best fit with your individual needs. Following this, a meeting with each coach helps you to determine which coach is the right fit for you.

If the coach isn’t familiar with my work and life circumstances, how will they help me?

All of SMG executive coaches are qualified across one or more of the following areas: executive coaching, organisational psychology and clinical psychology. This provides all SMG Associates with a range of foundations and frameworks in which to apply during your sessions. They do not need to know detailed information about your work and life circumstances to be able to support you. They are trained in asking the right questions to get to the core of the issues and strategies to overcome obstacles.

Does executive coaching involve a psychometric tool?

There are many diagnostic tools available in executive coaching. These are used to help both the leader and the coach to gain a better understanding of blind spots and areas of development. At SMG, we are agnostic in regard to which tools we use. If you are not comfortable with the use of psychometric testing, this can be discussed with your coach or mentor and an alternative solution identified.

Expert insights delivered
to your inbox

Subscribe to our newsletter for a regular dose of leadership best practices and inspiration.

SMG is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. You can unsubscribe at any time. To learn more about our commitment to protecting your privacy, view our Privacy Policy.