"A lot of coaching is figuring out what `the top of their game' means," observes Esther Adams, an executive coach and adjunct faculty member at Dakota County Technical College.

How The Coach Can Help

Executive coaching entails goal setting and determining how the executive fits in with his or her company and industry.

An important aspect coaches bring to the table is their objectivity. Executives work and live within their issues, so a coach can be someone looking in who can offer a fresh perspective.

"You can't always bounce thoughts off people you work with without sounding stupid or worrying about getting fired," says Adams.

Another area coaches can help with is team development and becoming a great team leader.

Work-life balance is a key issue. While it sounds as if work and personal life are two separate issues, the fact of the matter is that one's personal life has a huge impact on his or her work.

The Right Fit

Sometimes a company will bring in a coach to help a specific worker, rather than fire them.

"Companies feel like they've done everything, but still need help," says Adams. "They have the right person, but in the wrong job. They want that person, but they need to figure out where to put him or her."

A coach can also help the executive look at the big picture. For instance, while the economy is tight right now, the coach can help the executive look into his or her crystal ball. What will happen to that executive's career when the pendulum swings the other way and the economy gets better?

"It's looking at things from different perspectives," says Adams. "And how do you respond to the things going on?"

Executive coaches can help professionals get a better sense of their work and how they relate to their company. Ultimately, coaches can help executives continue to grow.

Robert Elsenpeter is a freelance writer from Blaine