The Trusted Leadership Advisor: Defined, Unpacked, Encouraged

Abstract

The role of trusted leadership advisor (TLA) is defined as it was originally conceptualized. This role is filled by highly experienced executive-development professionals working in long-term engagements with senior business leaders who have come to value this resource and want to leverage it to ensure their ongoing leadership effectiveness. The titular distinction between executive coach and TLA is emphasized as a practice differentiator. Five factors are cited as distinguishing TLA work from short-term executive coaching; these factors are discussed and anchored in an expertise and insight-oriented practice model. The emergence of more TLAs is encouraged given the need this resource fills for senior executives grappling with the relentlessness of current business challenges and concomitant personal pressures.