Executive Coaching

One on one coaching sessions for Executives is a speciality for Dale Carnegie Training Japan. The level of staff member receiving coaching usually ranges from front line supervisors to very senior people in the company. We use a hybrid of the Socratic method of questioning and solution suggestions, to doubly stimulate the Executive’s thinking. We are aiming to teach those receiving the coaching “how to fish” rather than training them to passively receive a fish from the Coach. We look for ownership, permanent learning and application of knowledge on the part of the Executive being coached.

Why Do Executives Need Coaching?

Even the most experienced leaders face challenges: balancing strategy and execution, leading diverse teams, communicating with impact, and sustaining motivation under pressure. Coaching provides a safe, structured environment to reflect, test ideas, and sharpen skills.

At Dale Carnegie Tokyo, we specialize in executive coaching for supervisors, senior managers, and top executives. Our approach combines the Socratic method of questioning with practical solutions — teaching leaders how to “fish,” not just handing them a fish. The goal is ownership, lasting learning, and applied action.

Eight Step Executive Coaching Model

We have our own proprietary coaching methodology at Dale Carnegie Training, where we apply our eight steps process. This process is based on our understanding of what works best for Executives who receive coaching, tested around the world.

Desired Outcome (clarity around the “should be”)
Current Situation (a clear understanding of the “as is”)
Goals (define and set concrete goals)
Action Steps (set out a programme of action steps)
Time Frames (set the timetable, milestones and deadlines)
Resources (anticipate the people, materials, time required to achieve the goals)
Obstacles and Contingencies (plan for problems before they arise)
Tracking and Measurement (establish success indicators and check against them)

This globally tested model ensures executives build habits, not just insights.

Five Drivers Of Success For Leaders

There are many requirements for leaders to be successful and we focus on these five key areas.

Self-direction
People Skills
Process skills
Communication
Accountability

Soft skills are critical for leaders to be successful when working through others. We use Dale Carnegie’s 30 Human Relations Principles as the base to execute on the 5 Drivers. These Principles are made famous through Dale Carnegie’s global best-selling book “How To Win Friends And Influence People”.

The Executive As A Coach

One of the great leverage points in a business is the ability of the leaders to coach those coming up through the organisation’s succession planning. Not every Executive however understands how best to do coaching for their own people. We also help Executives with how to coach their own people, using our 7 step staff coaching model:

Identify Opportunities
Picture The Desired Outcome
Establish The Right Attitudes
Provide Resources
Practice & Skill Development
Reinforce Progress
Reward

By teaching leaders how to coach, we build a coaching culture that spreads across the organization.

The Executive Coaching Process Flow

We receive an inquiry about Executive Coaching
We assess the situation and make a judgment as to whether we believe we can make a difference or not.
If we believe we can add value, we schedule an initial coaching session to check the “chemistry” between coach and candidate.
If the chemistry is there then we schedule a series of sessions, each lasting an hour. The number of sessions will vary depending on the circumstances,
but at least 5 sessions would be a minimum to expect any real progress.
At this point, we would also investigate if any assessments are required or if participation in the Dale Carnegie Course adds value.
Following the initial sessions, we would carry out a review of the progress made and see if further sessions were required or not.

Depending on the case and circumstances, we sometimes suggest participation in the Dale Carnegie Course to assist the speeding up of enhanced self-awareness.

Why Dale Carnegie Executive Coaching Is Different

Global Standards – every coach is ISO-certified, bilingual (English & Japanese), and benchmarked using Voice of Customer (VOC) and Net Promoter Scores (NPS) across 100 countries.
Proven Impact – our coaching scores average VOC 92.2 and NPS +68.9, world-class results on a scale where +67 is the industry benchmark.
Safe & Respectful – no critique, only positive reinforcement and forward-focused development.
Tailored Approach – whether 1:1 or combined with group training, programs are customized to each executive’s goals.
Socratic Discovery – insight comes from guided questioning, making it unforgettable and actionable.

Client Example

A Japanese executive in a multinational firm shared:
“Before coaching, I gave my team answers. After coaching, I learned to ask the right questions. Now they own solutions, and performance has improved dramatically.”

FAQ

Q1. Who is executive coaching for?
A1. Supervisors, managers, and senior executives who want to improve leadership, communication, and influence.

Q2. How long does it take?
A2. Results typically emerge after 5–8 sessions, depending on the executive’s goals.

Q3. Is coaching available in English and Japanese?
A3. Yes. Our bilingual coaches have strong business backgrounds and experience across industries.

Q4. How is success measured?
A4. Through progress reviews, 360° feedback, and benchmarking with VOC/NPS scores.