Case Study: Impact of Executive Coaching for a Non-Profit Executive Director

Client Background

Position: Executive Director

Tenure: Two years

Organization: Local New Orleans-based non-profit

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Scenario

The new Executive Director, seasoned in her industry, was hired as the Executive Director of a non-profit organization focused on governmental research to inform and benefit the citizens of the greater New Orleans area. Despite her extensive experience, the Executive Director faced challenges in operations, capacity building, change management and implementing effective strategic initiatives.

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Coaching Engagement

The one-year Executive Coaching contract was sponsored by a local non-profit with a mission to support the growth and development of businesses in the greater New Orleans area. The coaching contract included a focus on leadership development and organizational effectiveness.

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Goals

1. Institute a workflow & prioritization process.

2. Improve stakeholder management.

3. Create work/life balance.

4. Build a healthy organizational culture with new policies, benefits, team engagement and capacity building.

5. Intentionally manage change around new initiatives and measure progress.

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Coaching Approach and Consulting Interventions

1. Assessment: Interview-based 360 Assessment conducted after four sessions.

2. Goal Setting: Define clear objectives and measures for success based on goals.

3. Leadership Development: Enroll the Executive Director into two different leadership development courses, one through the coach’s organization and one through the sponsoring non-profit.

4. Coaching: Weekly sessions for one year.

5. Strategic Planning Consulting: Structured planning sessions to update the format, initiatives, and action planning process for a three-year strategic plan.

6. Performance Management System Design: the client outsourced the creation of a new Performance Management system to KPC and instituted the new process immediately.

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Outcomes

Enhanced Leadership Skills

The client developed enhanced leadership capabilities, fostering a positive organizational culture, and increased organizational capacity by redesigning job descriptions, adding interns, replacing one employee with a resource capable of executing multiple functions and increasing headcount by two.

Improved Team Collaboration

Implementing new cultural initiatives resulted in improved team dynamics, collaboration, and productivity.

Strategic Growth

The client successfully designed and implemented a new strategic framework resulting in positive success measures in the following areas: fundraising, community engagement and impact, operational excellence, and research output.

Personal Growth

The gained increased self-awareness and confidence, empowering her to tackle complex challenges with resilience and creativity.

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Conclusion

The Executive Coaching engagement proved instrumental in the client’s professional development and the continued success of her organization. The client’s evolution as a leader facilitated a positive ripple effect across the organization, resulting in improved operations, team dynamics, resource capacity, and organizational impact.