In today’s fast-paced business world, effective leadership is essential. As organisations grapple with the complexities of modern markets, executives play an increasingly pivotal role. One of the greatest leadership challenges is ensuring a seamless transition for newly appointed executives. This is where incorporating Hogan Assessments awareness coaching into executive onboarding programmes can bring transformative results.
What is Hogan Assessments Awareness Coaching?
Hogan Assessments’ awareness coaching is a sophisticated approach that combines scientifically validated personality assessments with focused coaching sessions. Unlike traditional coaching, which often targets long-term skill development, awareness coaching hones in on self-awareness—helping leaders understand their strengths, limitations, and behavioural tendencies. Crucially, it also examines how their motives and values align with the organisation’s culture and expectations.
For newly appointed executives, this heightened self-awareness is invaluable, enabling them to bridge the gap between their personal traits and the demands of their new role.
The Role of Awareness Coaching in Executive Onboarding
Executive onboarding is a pivotal period that can determine a leader’s long-term success. A global survey of 588 senior executives found that organisational culture and politics, rather than competence or managerial skills, were the main reasons for failure in new roles. Nearly 70% cited lack of understanding of norms and practices, with poor cultural fit close behind. Respondents emphasised the need for constructive feedback and support to navigate internal networks and understand organisational dynamics.
Incorporating awareness coaching into onboarding addresses these key challenges:
1. Building Strategic Self-Awareness
Using tools like the Hogan Personality Inventory (HPI), Hogan Development Survey (HDS), and Motives, Values, Preferences Inventory (MVPI), skilled onboarding coaches provide deep insights into an executive’s personality traits, derailers, and values. These insights help executives understand how their natural tendencies align—or clash—with organisational culture and expectations.
2. Enhancing Leadership Effectiveness
Awareness coaching helps executives grasp how their behaviour impacts others. This is crucial for building trust and credibility with new teams. For instance, an executive who recognises that their ambitious nature could come across as overbearing may adopt a more collaborative approach, fostering a more positive environment.
3. Navigating Organisational Dynamics
New executives often join teams with well-established dynamics. Awareness coaching equips them to navigate these complexities by understanding their behavioural patterns and adapting their leadership style to align with team needs and drive performance.
4. Promoting Long-Term Development
While onboarding focuses on a smooth transition, awareness coaching lays the groundwork for ongoing personal and professional growth. The insights gained encourage executives to continuously reflect on their leadership approach, ensuring sustained effectiveness.
Aligning Awareness with Organisational Support
A successful onboarding process aligns the executive’s self-awareness with the organisation’s structures, stakeholders, and goals. Key focus areas include:
1. Understanding Key Stakeholders
Awareness coaching helps executives map out relationships with key stakeholders, providing insight into their expectations and influence. This understanding fosters effective communication and collaboration.
2. Cultural Integration
Each organisation has a unique culture. Awareness coaching helps executives grasp these nuances, enabling them to adapt their leadership style and align with cultural expectations. This alignment is essential for gaining trust and leading change effectively.
3. Strategic Visioning
Hogan’s approach encourages leaders to consider the broader organisational context, helping them anticipate challenges and opportunities. Strategic visioning ensures that new executives are prepared to navigate complex landscapes and drive initiatives aligned with the organisation’s goals.
4. Supporting Organisational Objectives
Awareness coaching underscores the importance of aligning personal and team goals with the organisation’s strategic priorities, fostering a unified direction and contributing to long-term success.
Case Study: A Global Manufacturer’s Success with Awareness Coaching
A leading global manufacturer of health and personal care products, with over 114,000 employees, partnered with Hogan to develop a scalable, cost-effective awareness coaching programme for high-potential leaders.
Participants completed Hogan’s personality assessments and received tailored feedback from professional coaches. These sessions helped leaders create development plans addressing their strengths and growth areas. The results? Participants reported greater self-awareness, improved understanding of their impact, and enhanced engagement—reflected in better performance metrics and feedback from supervisors.
Best Practices for Integrating Awareness Coaching
To maximise the impact of awareness coaching in onboarding, consider these strategies:
Start Early
Initiate awareness coaching as soon as an executive is hired, ensuring they are equipped with key insights before making critical decisions.
Customise Coaching Plans
Tailor sessions to the executive’s unique challenges and organisational context for a more effective and relevant experience.
Provide Ongoing Support
Continue coaching throughout the first year with regular check-ins and follow-ups to address emerging issues and sustain development.
Involve Key Stakeholders
Engage direct reports, HR partners, and other stakeholders in the process for comprehensive feedback and reinforcement.
Measure Impact
Evaluate the effectiveness of the programme through surveys and performance metrics to refine and demonstrate its value.
Conclusion
Hogan Assessments’ awareness coaching is a powerful tool for enhancing executive onboarding. By fostering self-awareness, aligning leadership behaviours with organisational culture, and providing targeted support, it equips new leaders to succeed from day one. This holistic approach reduces turnover, enhances leadership effectiveness, and drives organisational success.
Ready to empower your leaders? Contact Awair to explore how awareness coaching can unlock your organisation’s potential.
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