Home / Continuing Education / Sherpa Executive Coaching Syllabus

Sherpa Executive Coaching Syllabus

This course will examine and elaborate upon the Sherpa process for executive coaching. The class involves 60 hours of class time, spread over two week-long classes. In addition, you will work for 90 days with a Practicum Client, who will function as the coach-in-training’s first client, following the Sherpa coaching process from beginning to end. In addition, coaches-in-training will work with a Certified Practicum Instructor as the process unfolds. Peer Coaching will be an integral part of the Sherpa program and accounts for 60% of the final class grade.

The Sherpa Library logo

Course Content

The fundamentals of coaching are covered in-depth, including:

  • Definitions: What executive coaching is and needs to become.
  • Communication styles for coach and client.
  • What does it take to be a good coach?
  • Who needs a coach?
  • Why does coaching need a process?
  • The Sherpa Stance: Keeping Coaching Professional
  • What questions do I ask while I am coaching? Framing the question.
  • How can I tell if my client is ‘getting it’? How can I tell when my client is finished?

Learning Objectives

  • Recognize the difference between executive coaching, therapy/counseling, consulting, and mentoring.
  • Given the decision-making tools, choose the route, path, and tools to guide the practicum client toward their Summit, including an action plan.
  • Interpret the concept of metacognition as it relates to Why It Matters.
  • Define and explain Impact on Business, the 6 phases, 2 routes, 10 paths, and 33 tools included in the Sherpa coaching process.
  • Collaborate effectively with classmates to practice and examine the process.
  • Understand and demonstrate the ten Characteristics of a Good Coach.
  • Create client-mapping evidence for five program case studies.
  • Manage 12-15 expert facilitated coaching sessions with Practicum Client and Certified Practicum Instructor.

The Sherpa process comprises six phases, each with comprehensive exercises, assessments, and activities. You will learn to apply this coaching process and understand why it’s effective. The required readings will provide foundational insights into how each phase works.

Throughout the course, instructors will illustrate concepts with real coaching examples from their experience. Demonstration assignments ensure you develop the ability to coach effectively across business environments and management levels. Your workbooks provide additional reinforcement material. Between sessions, you’ll complete homework assignments to deepen your learning.

Required pre-work:

  1. Textbook Reading Assignments: At least two weeks before the first day of class, The University of Georgia will mail you the two required textbooks, which you are expected to read:
    • The Sherpa Guide: Process-Driven Executive Coaching
    • Impact on Business
  2. Activate your online course platform account: You will receive an invitation from Sherpa University to set up a Canvas account for the Executive Coaching Certification program. Your facilitators will provide instructions during the orientation session. You’ll need your laptop for all class meetings.
  3. Complete DiSC©: Sherpa Coaching will email you a link to the DiSC© assessment. Complete this work style assessment online before class.
  4. Orientation. An orientation session is scheduled four weeks prior to Day 1.
The Sherpa Guide Process-Driven Executive Coaching Book cover

Week One

Day 1

Morning (8:15-12:15 pm)

  • Introduction to Sherpa Coaching
    • Definition of Coaching
    • Principles of Coaching
    • Introduction to the Sherpa Coaching Process
    • Lessons from the Sherpa

Afternoon (1:00 PM– 5:00/5:30 pm)

  • DiSC©
    • DiSC© Results (the assessment will be taken online prior to class)
    • Communication Needs
    • How your DiSC© Aligns with Qualities of a Good Coach
  • Dinner on your own.
Day 2

Morning (8:15-12:15 pm)

  • The Case for Coaching
  • Coaching Issues
  • What Makes a Good Coach? The Ten Traits of a Successful Coach

Afternoon (1:00 PM–5:00/5:30 pm)

  • What Makes a Good Coach? (continued)
  • Phase One: Taking Stock
    • Process Overview
    • Ground Rules
    • Ramifications
  • Dinner on your own.
Day 3

Morning (8:15-12:15 pm)

  • Phase One: Taking Stock (continued)
    • Self-Discovery – Personal Inventory
    • Discovery Shield
    • Who Am I?
    • Agreement

Afternoon (1:00 PM– 5:00/5:30 pm)

  • Phase Two: Global View
    • Support Mountain
    • Perception
    • Values
  • Dinner on your own.
Day 4

Morning (8:15-12:15 pm)

  • Phase Two: Global View (continued)
    • Change Management – Barometer
    • PQM
  • Phase Three: Destination
    • Weakness Mountain

Afternoon (1:00 PM– 5:00 pm)

  • Phase Three: Destination (continued)
    • Weakness Mountain
    • Expectation Mountain
    • Logistics

Evening (5:15 pm)

  • Informal Reception & Group Dinner
Day 5

Morning (8:15-11:45 am)

  • Managing a Coaching Assignment
    • Expectation Mountain (continued)
    • Instructors’ Q & A
    • Process Cross-Reference: Book, Journal, and Timelines
    • Step-by-Step – Sherpa Coaching Logistics
    • Decision Making Tools and Path Selection
    • Preparation for Practicum Clients

Homework Assignments

To be completed between Week #1 and Week #2

Phone/Video Conference Appointment: Each week, you’ll meet with a Certified Practicum Instructor (CPI) via phone or video to discuss your practicum experience. Commit to your designated meeting time, and file your weekly client summaries online during or shortly after each session.

Textbook Reading Assignments: Re-read Chapters 7-12, “The Sherpa Guide: Process-Driven Executive Coaching”. Read ‘Why It Matters’.

Assignment: Complete your Journal homework prior to Week #2.

Online Course: All resources are available 24/7.

Week Two

Day 1

Morning (8:15-12:15 pm)

  • Review of Mid-Term Assignments
  • Recap and Summary of Week One
  • Questions and Concerns
  • Open Discussion of Practicum
  • Introduction to Charting the Course

Afternoon (1:00 PM– 5:00/5:30 pm)

  • Phase Four: Charting the Course
    • Relational Route
Day 2

Morning (8:15-12:15 pm)

  • Phase Four: Charting the Course (continued)
    • Relational Route
    • Organizational Route

Afternoon (1:00 PM–5:00/5:30 pm)

  • Phase Four: Charting the Course
    • Case Studies
Day 3

Morning (8:15-12:15 pm)

  • Phase Four: Goal Setting (continued)
    • Defining Needs
    • Identifying Barriers
    • Q.U.E.S.T.I.O.N.
    • The Sherpa’s Personal Toolkit

Afternoon (1:00 PM–5:00 pm)

  • Phase Five: Agenda
    • Commitment
    • Accountability – Attitude
    • The Accountability House
    • Browsing the Journal & Long-Term Outlook

Evening (5:15 pm)

  • Informal Reception & Pre-Graduation Dinner/Ceremony
Day 4

Morning (8:15-11:45 am)

  • Phase Six: The Summit
    • Support
    • Follow Up
  • The Process Makes the Difference Summary
    • Conclusions and Wrap Up
    • Continuing Support

Homework Assignments

Completing the Practicum Coaching Assignment

Phone/Video Conference Appointment: Meet with a Certified Practicum Instructor (CPI) weekly via phone or video to discuss your practicum experience. Attend your scheduled meeting and file (consecutive) weekly client summaries online. If you have no contact with your CPI for two consecutive weeks, Sherpa will mark your status as inactive and notify the University of Georgia. Stay in regular contact with your CPI.

Evaluation and Certification Grades are based on attendance for at least 90% of class hours, and

  • 40% – Participation and Contribution (including the 12-week Practicum Client Assignment)
  • 60% – Homework (including but not limited to Peer Coaching, Journal, and Quizzes)

Dates, details, and times are subject to change.

Sherpa Peer Coaching

One of the features and goals of executive coaching is to encourage self-discovery without providing answers. Peer Coaching will be an integral part of the course, providing you with practice and experience. Note: The Sherpa Peer Coaching Assignment is 60% of the final class grade.

Sherpa students, wearing blue shirts, are standing in the hotel lobby.

Purpose

To help you learn the Sherpa process and engage in a discovery process about your own (self) development and awareness, using peer coaching.
You will be paired with another student, your peer coach, for the entire class.

Deliverables

You will receive just-in-time education and training to practice a series of Sherpa tools and techniques together. There will be coaching opportunities as a part of synchronous and asynchronous instruction as we progress through the course.

You must meet outside of class to coach each other for at least 1 hour per week. During these sessions, you and your coaching partner will take turns being both the coach and the client.

Demonstration will occur in class.

You will play two roles in the completion of this assignment:

  1. As the Client (the person receiving the coaching): you will work with a peer coach to simulate a coaching engagement in the role of the client.
  2. As the Peer Coach (the person doing the coaching): you work with a peer client to simulate a coaching engagement in the coach role.

Peer Coaching Ground Rules

The purpose of peer coaching is to prepare you for the process of being a coach and to understand the client experience. You will receive coaching and learn best practices for coaching.

  1. Complete all activities related to this assignment.
  2. Prepare for coaching sessions as a coach, and do your homework as a client, using the Sherpa Process.
  3. Each week, track progress using the Peer Coaching Analysis Form.
  4. Complete Sherpa Journal 4-1 to 4-18 and review each exercise with your peer coach.

Evaluation of Peer Coaching

  1. Each Class: Active, consistent coaching sessions with your peer client/coach. Reinforcement during class sessions.
  2. When Announced: You must immediately submit a written analysis (i.e., Pop Quiz). Instructions will be provided and demonstrated in class.
back to course