Mark Furnari is a long time business coach with experience in the nonprofit sector. He tells us why executive coaching can lead to more effective organizations.
As a busy executive director of a Vermont nonprofit, it is easy to become lost in day-to-day decisions. Working with a coach helps me to improve my professional skills and to be a more effective leader, able to stay on mission and serve our community in the best possible way. – VT Nonprofit Executive
What is the one skill that all successful leaders require?
Most non-profit leaders are faced with the constant challenge of optimizing resources. Optimizing resources demands MANAGERIAL COURAGE. Managerial courage is the ability to face up to people problems with any person or situation quickly and directly – a leader is not afraid to take negative action when necessary. Managerial Courage is in short supply in the workplace. Why? Because most leaders operate in isolation and do not have this essential skill identified and modeled for them.
What benefits does a professional coach provide?
Coaches provide a number of benefits to the astute leader. The coach brings experience with many organizations, complete understanding of the benefits and responsibilities of leadership and understanding the courage and patience needed to lead a mission driven organization.
How does a coach work with an enterprising leader?
Coaches develop a relationship with organizational leaders, supported by a variety of tools, such as 360 Reviews and Professional Development Plans. Coaches also hold the leader to the vision and the path of their professional development. This is essential since it is easy to get bogged down in daily operations. Coaches structure intentional reflective time with their clients–time devoted to nothing else but their professional improvement. In this way, the coach can help leaders can make rapid progress in their identified areas of improvement.
How do you find a coach to suit you?
This can be done a number of different ways. I encourage leaders to network with peers, use the internet and above all realize that experience is what separates the good coaches from the great ones. Coaching as a vocational field is a relatively recent development with abundant certification entities, both useful and not. From my perspective, experience working effectively is what counts. In terms of a personal fit, it is like any other professional relationship, exercise excellent consumer practice and interview a few – there is no substitute!
More coaching resources at Common Good Vermont:
- Watch: Interview with Executive Coach Mark Furnari
- Why Should NPO ED’s Consider Coaching?
- VT NPO ED Coaching Survey Results
- Watch: Interview with Susan Palmer, Executive Coach
Trained as a mediator and a counselor, has spent the last twenty-five years working with organizations and individuals to maximize potential and meet organization and personal goals. Through leadership roles in business, public service, non-profits, health care, real estate and consulting, he has gained the experience and knowledge necessary to work with a wide range of clients.
