Credibility
According to Training Journal, credibility of the coach is essential. Managers are often successful people who have got where they are by knowing what is worth their time and what is not. If participants feel you have insufficient credibility to teach them anything, the coaching will never be effective. Therefore, you must first prove to your "students" that you have something to offer them, be it through references, showing "hard skills" in the given sector, presentation of your knowledge or telling a powerful story that engages the audience.
Self-confidence
Many coaches might feel intimidated by top representatives and minds of a certain business sector. But in that case, sessions with clients can never be successful. First, you must start believing in yourself. You must genuinely know you have something to offer the participants and that it is in their best interest to listen to you. If you somehow lack confidence, work on yourself with the focus on that particular issue for as long as it takes until you finally know you have sufficient self-confidence in this area.
Destroying the status quo
Top managers have usually already heard and experienced a great deal. They have listened to various hypotheses, theories and ideas, and are often sceptical towards revolutionary changes. There is not much in their field that will surprise them and it is also hard somehow to engage them. Your task is to make them see old problems in a new light. Try to surprise them with some unexpected stats or a story that challenges the status quo, thus making them view certain things differently and start to consider various alternatives and possible new solutions.
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