Businessman Challenge. Concept for success

I need a business coach wasnt a phrase a CEO would even consider muttering 10 years ago. Now, it seems to be the biggest buzz word in Silicon Valley. So why are CEOs flocking to this new resource, and what exactly are they learning in these coveted sessions? Finally, is the mystery sauce that seems to be going on behind closed doors really all the helpful?

First, we do know the business world is changing. From large corporations to small startups, companies are moving toward a new human-capital business model, one where employee satisfaction and engagement is valued alongside bottom-lines. And while companies will prioritize profit, there has been increased awareness that retaining talent, increasing overall productivity and creating a culture where employees feel appreciated as individuals is actually the secret ingredient to creating a great company.

In addition, CEOs are also learning that while they may be experts in vision, making complicated decisions and crunching numbers, the realization has been uncovered that their personal psychology and leadership style has a direct impact on the strength and success of their company.

To explain a bit more, every person, whether you are a leader or a contributor has a personal psychology that will directly affect your relationships, whether in the work place or in your living room. We also know that your personal psychology has strengths and weaknesses. Many of us will know where we excel, however, when the classic interview question comes up, What are your weaknesses, few of us are quick to honestly answer; and some of us dont even know the answer.

At times, our unique personalities will get in the way of career successes; they can even can limit us. For example, you may have a fear of making decisions, an inability to stand up for yourself, procrastination, saying yes to everything, being overly detailed, an inability to meet deadlines, the list can go on and on. It is these very roadblocks that get in your way from excelling in your role. And it these roadblocks that CEOs are paying business coaches to uncover for them, and teach them alternative ways.

So what are these tools coaches are teaching CEOs? Here are 3 of the most favorite tips downloaded you.

Tip #1: Reexamining Your Beliefs

Whether we realize it or not, we all have ideas about who we are, what were capable of and what our limitations are. And while our beliefs may seem accurate, sometimes those beliefs are faulty.Yes, faulty.

The trouble is, beliefs are not facts, although self-beliefs can feel like facts. Heres an example of a self belief: I want to be a software engineer, but I dont have the skills or education.The self-belief or rather, internal voice, says, "that cant be me, so I might as well not bother." That is not a fact, but rather, something you installed all on your own.

Where do faulty beliefs come from? Contributing factors abound, from messages received in childhood, to cultural norms and gender biases, to everyday events that reinforce what we already believe to be true. Put simply, we each have a personal algorithm that subconsciously cherry picks information, which in turn creates beliefs about ourselves. Sometimes were able to go one step further and consciously examine this information on our own, but sometimes were left with self-selected blind spots.

The first step is to identify what assumptions youve made about yourself. And while you are identifying these assumptions, remember, these are simply beliefs - not facts. Next,try your best to craft a more objective narrative. What is standing in your way? Is it really not attainable, or is this fear-based? If youre scared, what are you scared of? Sometimes asking these difficult questions can begin to unlock the fear that is holding you back.

Tip #2: Removing Your Blinders

Its easy to get tunnel vision when it comes to your corporate career: promotions at set intervals, regular salary bumps, and new positions that never run too far afield of your established area. In the corporate world in particular, your future can seem neatly planned out, providing you a straight-and-narrow path to follow.

Yet theres one problem with a career thats laid out in well-ordered increments: too often, theres little room for self-growth.

The straight-and-narrow path is safe, and for many of us, it is in that safety that provides comfort and assurance. However, it is also important to challenge yourself. Discovering what dreams still lie within your career aspirations, along with re-defining new goals. Other times, you may need to evaluate letting go of something. A dream that didnt work, or a career that isnt right for you.

Your blinders, just like your beliefs can feel fixed, and yet they are fluid if you allow them to be. It is in your blinders that can make you feel safe, but paradoxically, can also limit you. Simply by challenging your assumptions can provide the next step to your career growth.

Tip #3: Having a Strong Psychological Boundary

A strong psychological boundary is vital to success, but many of us neglect this necessary element of our professional development. Whats a psychological boundary? Its an internal process (done in your mind) that that protects us from digesting irrelevant or untrue information from inaccurate resources. Unless this barrier is actively cultivated, it can be eroded by the messages we receive from those around us.

Many people will enter your career landscape, and each will have their own ideas about you. Even if your colleagues and co-workers dont state their opinions outright, their interactions with you will hint at how they regard you. For better or for worse, these direct or indirect messages can seep into your psyche and shape how you see yourself.

A psychological boundary is the decision to decide what messages you want to let in, and what messages you want to kick out. For example, a piece of constructive criticism from your trusted supervisor may be something you decide to take in. However, theEVP who never liked you from the get go, may share information about you that wont be coming from the same evaluation-based place. This is a message you would not take in. When you decide to not take something in, it simply means you dont digest that message. Put simply, you dont become a sponge to every piece of feedback, rather you become a strainer looking for accurate messages from trusted resources.

By actively filtering messages, you will create a stronger, more accurate work-place self-esteem. You will also be able to take on feedback in a new, more professional way. With feedback comes self knowledge, and it is with self knowledge that allows us to change and evolve.

In summary, whether you are a CEO or an individual contributor, it is crucial to build awareness about yourself. Take a good long look in the mirror, and ask yourself hard questions about what makes you unique, and what are your challenge areas. It is in the analysis of your imperfections that you will be able to unlock your roadblocks. And by being as objective as you can while being compassionate to yourself, you can begin to untether yourself from your self-made chains, and reach new heights.

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The Top 3 Tools Business Coaches Give CEOs - Forbes