Frequently Asked Questions

What type of results does leadership coaching deliver?
Return on investment is important to the success of any program. In the beginning stages of our coaching programs, we work with our clients to establish goals that are important for them to achieve. Throughout the program, we track progress to ensure that we’re driving toward the results that matter for each participant.
Typical program results include:

• Increased performance with role-related goals, metrics, and outcomes
• Improved team dynamics and output
• Stronger confidence
• Expanded problem-solving capability
• Better communication skills
• Effective conflict resolution
• More effective coaching and mentoring
• Enhanced peer relationships and collaboration ability
• Greater job and life satisfaction
• Higher quality, interdependent relationships
Does coaching really work?
Coaching is a highly effective way for professionals to improve their ability to lead and achieve results. If you are skeptical about the effectiveness of coaching, we encourage you to enroll a small cohort (5 staff) into a pilot program. We’ll use a Net Promoter Score to evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot and share the results with you.
How is leadership coaching different than executive coaching?
Unlike executive coaching, leadership coaching is accessible to anyone, at any level of an organization. Also, the focus of the program is centered on behavior-based leadership skills development – i.e., people skills.
This focus on the leadership skills necessary to lead self and others well can be different than other executive-level skills that might have more to do with business management.
What’s the time commitment for a coaching program?
Coaching clients need to be able to attend on average, 2 to 3, 45-minute coaching sessions per month. They’ll also have on-the-job, action-based learning assignments in between coaching sessions to support applying lessons learned.
Unlike “homework” from an academic program, these assignments are focused on demonstrating specific leadership behaviors to achieve greater results within current responsibilities. Coaching programs are designed to make professionals better … not busier.
How can I tell if coaching is working?
While the results of leadership coaching take time to be realized, individuals typically start to notice the effects of their coaching within the first few weeks of being engaged in a program. Clients who show up ready to learn, engage, and participate see results soonest.
Is the start date flexible?
Yes. You will select when to begin cohort coaching, with all participants starting at approximately the same time (scheduling dependent). Whether clients engage in the 3-, 6-, or 9-month program, we’ll be ready to start when they are. Cohort coaching programs begin on a rolling basis through the calendar year and can start when it’s most convenient for your cohort.
How do key stakeholders participate in the Cohort Coaching program?
When valuable to program design, Lead Star coaches will connect with the managers, team members, and peers of program participants as helpful to share feedback and set goals for the participant’s program. All coaching program conversations are fully confidential so key stakeholders and participants can freely share their thoughts and perspectives to ensure a safe space for growth and development. Coaches use insights from key stakeholders to design programs that help participants best meet stakeholder expectations and support improvement with gap areas.
Lead Star coaches are successful, yet are they relatable?
Lead Star coaches are real-world leaders. Because they consistently work with leaders at all levels – professionals from entry-level team members to C-Suite executives – they’re in touch with the challenges coaching program participants are facing.
They have a unique ability to connect their experiences, mistakes, and lessons learned to their clients in a humbling, yet inspiring, manner.

How is this program different from other programs?
Your team members will be partnered directly with Lead Star coaches. Lead Star’s coaching solutions are distinguished programming led by leaders who have real-world experience and follow proven, research-backed methodologies that have worked for thousands of leaders looking to advance. Our coaches are accomplished leaders in the private and/or public sectors and experienced consultants.
Do you use assessments as part of Cohort Coaching?
We’re certified to deliver a full spectrum of leadership style assessments. These tools, when used appropriately, are very valuable in a coaching program. Working with our clients, we’ll decide whether an assessment is rightly timed based on the goals clients seek to achieve with their development. Not all Cohort Coaching participants will receive an assessment.
Who is coaching not a good fit for?
We know this isn’t a program for everyone. We recommend that you do not select a team member for Cohort Coaching if they are unable to focus their attention on their career development and engage in 2-3, 45-minute coaching sessions per month. This also isn’t a fit for team members who are unable to demonstrate an openness to receiving constructive, developmental feedback.
How do I know a Lead Star coach will be a good fit for my team members?
Fit is the positive connection between coach and program participant. Our Lead Star coaches have extensive experience leading diverse teams and coaching clients in more than 50 different industries. This allows them to easily connect with most coaching clients.
In the rare instance that fit is not achieved, the coach will tactfully share this with the program participant, refund their program fee, and recommend alternate coaches that are likely to fit best with the participant.
Will coaching program participants be judged or evaluated?
Coaching program engagement is not scored, graded, or rated. All coaching conversations are confidential to ensure a high-trust relationship is formed between coach and participant and that a safe place for growth and development is established.
Lead Star coaches will share feedback on participation, level of engagement, and positive progress with a participant’s human resources team member or, in some cases, when clearly articulated to all involved, and with the participant’s permission, directly to a participant’s manager.
What if my team members say they’re too busy for coaching?
Unlike other leadership development programs, Cohort Coaching is not disruptive to a participant’s schedule. No travel is involved, and workshop day(s) are planned well in advance to allow for thoughtful planning. Every aspect of the program is designed to integrate into participants’ current schedules, routines, and responsibilities.
After just a few coaching sessions, the coach fully understands the client’s workload and fits right into each client’s working life. Ultimately, coaching saves time and accelerates success by providing helpful guidance in timely ways, often by preventing mistakes or supporting growth that leads to more efficient or effective work styles and habits.
What could go wrong?
We’ve encountered nearly every scenario that has the potential to derail someone’s coaching program.
Some of the challenges include:• There isn’t a good “fit” between coach and coachee
• The participant gets reassigned to a new role and doesn’t have the capacity to receive coaching
• The participant has time for coaching conversations, but isn’t able to prioritize enacting coaching guidance
• Life events outside of coaching force the participant to be unavailable for their program. As experienced coaches, we know what to do when these situations arise.

We’ll work with every participant on a case-by-case basis to ensure that if challenges pop up along the way, they get resolved in a way that satisfies both the participant and our client partner.