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Interpersonal, communication skills key coaching topics, Korn Ferry finds

April 06, 2015

Interpersonal and communication skills such as influence, listening and empathy are key coaching topics across all levels of leadership, according to a survey released today by executive search firm Korn Ferry International Inc. (NYSE: KFY). Self-awareness, a topic identified in research as crucial yet frequently a derailer, ranked high for all leaders and topped the list for C-suite leaders.

“While coaches previously may have helped individual leaders craft and articulate a vision, moving forward they see the need for leaders to co-create the vision by engaging a wider network of relationships,” said Korn Ferry Global Lead for Executive Coaching Allen Moore.

Respondents were asked to identify the top 10 most frequent coaching topics by level of leader.

The top 10 coaching topics for C-suite-level leaders:

  1. Self-awareness
  2. Interpersonal relationships, listening skills and empathy
  3. Influence
  4. Leading during times of change
  5. Communication skills
  6. Motivation and engagement, leading with vision and purpose
  7. Building effective teams
  8. Strategy and strategic thinking
  9. Working with uncertainty and ambiguity, decision skills
  10. Mentoring, developing internal talent, succession

The top 10 coaching topics for business unit leaders (senior VP, VP):

  1. Interpersonal relationships, listening skills, empathy
  2. Influence
  3. Self-awareness
  4. Communication skills
  5. Motivation and engagement
  6. Building effective teams
  7. Mentoring, developing internal talent, succession
  8. Delegation, empowerment
  9. Leading during times of change
  10. Working with uncertainty and ambiguity, decision skills

The top 10 coaching topics for mid-level leader: senior manager or function head:

  1. Interpersonal relationships, listening skills, empathy
  2. Influence
  3. Communication skills
  4. Self-awareness
  5. Delegation, empowerment
  6. Building effective teams
  7. Motivation and engagement
  8. Working with uncertainty and ambiguity, decision skills
  9. Mentoring, developing internal talent, succession
  10. Time and energy management

Korn Ferry surveyed more than 200 coaches from around the globe who are part of Korn Ferry’s coaching network.