The coach has no internal links with the company and therefore can be freely confided in.  They can have the roles of supporter, co-creator, political confidant and scrutineer.  Within each role, they will bring certain skills:

Supporter

• Counsellor
• Advisor
• Supporter
• Listener

Creator

• Problem Solver
• Ideas Generator
• Opportunity Organizer

Political Confidant

• Challenger
• Influencer
• Debater
• Decision Facilitator

Skills Developer

• Innovator
• Thought Expander
• Trainer
• Mentor

Advantages of using a coach include:

• Independence.
• Impartiality.
• Objectivity.
• Wide knowledge and experience.
• A different viewpoint.
• Experience of weighing opportunities, risks and rewards.

An executive coach should normally be in some form of supervision, just like a counsellor or psychotherapist, in order that he or she can be as clear as possible in separating out his or her own issues, and so as not to cloud those of the client.