Most people look for an executive coach because they feel stuck. Maybe you have hit a plateau in your leadership, or perhaps the same interpersonal conflicts keep bubbling up in every team you lead. You want someone to give you the secret playbook for being a 'perfect' leader. But here is the truth – there is no such thing as a perfect leader, only a self-aware one.
The traditional coaching model often tries to 'fix' you. It treats your natural tendencies like bugs in the system that need to be patched out. If you are The Evaluator, they might tell you to stop being so critical. If you are The Helper, they might push you to be more aggressive. But trying to lead in a way that feels like wearing a suit three sizes too small is exhausting and, ultimately, unsustainable.
Real growth does not come from changing who you are; it comes from understanding how your brain is wired to work. At Compono, we have spent a decade researching how personality influences leadership. We know that the best Hey Compono experience happens when the guidance you receive is adapted to your specific work personality.
An executive coach can have the most impressive credentials in the world, but if they do not understand your dominant work preference, their advice will fall flat. Think about it – if you are The Pioneer, you thrive on innovation and big-picture thinking. A coach who focuses solely on rigid processes and minute details will leave you feeling suffocated and misunderstood.
Every high-performing team needs a balance of eight key work activities: Evaluating, Coordinating, Campaigning, Pioneering, Advising, Helping, and Doing. As a leader, you likely have a natural pull toward one or two of these. Hey Compono helps you identify these preferences so you can stop fighting your nature and start leveraging it.
When you understand your work personality, you can find a coach who speaks your language. Instead of generic leadership platitudes, you get strategies that actually work for the way you think. It is the difference between reading a map and having a GPS that knows exactly where you are starting from.
A great executive coach will help you move along the leadership continuum. Depending on the situation, you might need to be directive, democratic, or non-directive. Most of us have a 'home base' where we feel most comfortable. For example, The Coordinator often defaults to directive leadership because they value structure and efficiency.
However, the best leaders are flexible. They know when to step back and let The Auditor handle the details without interference. They know when to engage The Campaigner to sell the vision to the rest of the organisation. A coach should help you recognise these moments and give you the tools to adapt your style without losing your authentic self.
This is where personality-adaptive coaching shines. By using the Hey Compono app, you can receive insights that are specifically tailored to help you flex into these different styles. It is not about becoming someone else – it is about having more tools in your kit for when the pressure is on.
When you are interviewing a potential executive coach, do not just look at their past clients or their certifications. Ask them how they handle different personality types. Do they have a framework for understanding work preferences? Do they recognise that what motivates The Doer is vastly different from what motivates The Advisor?
You want a coach who validates your struggle without shaming you. If you have been told you are 'too controlling', a good coach will see the underlying strength in your desire for order – likely because you are a natural Coordinator – and help you channel that into effective systems rather than micromanagement. They should make you feel seen, not judged.
Remember, the goal of coaching is empowerment. You should leave every session feeling like you have a better handle on your own 'operator’s manual'. If the coach is trying to rewrite that manual entirely, they are not the right fit for you.
Understanding your brain is the first step to becoming the leader your team deserves. You don't need to stay stuck in the same patterns of misunderstanding and frustration.
What exactly does an executive coach do?
An executive coach acts as a strategic partner who helps you navigate leadership challenges, improve self-awareness, and develop specific professional skills tailored to your career goals.
How is personality-adaptive coaching different?
Unlike traditional coaching, personality-adaptive coaching uses frameworks like Hey Compono to tailor advice and strategies to your unique work personality, ensuring the guidance is sustainable and effective.
Can my work personality change over time?
While your core traits remain relatively stable, your ability to 'flex' into different work activities improves with self-awareness and coaching, allowing you to adapt to various professional demands.
How do I know if I am ready for an executive coach?
If you feel misunderstood at work, have hit a performance plateau, or want to understand why certain interpersonal dynamics keep repeating, you are likely ready for professional coaching.
Does coaching help with team conflict?
Yes. By understanding your own work personality and the personalities of your team members, coaching can provide practical strategies for resolving conflict and improving team cohesion.