Executive Coaches
Executive Coaching FAQs
Executive coaching is for leaders who want to improve how they perform, manage, and make decisions. Sessions focus on communication, time management, strategic planning, and work-life balance with measurable results.
Average return on investment reported by executives
Company Benefits
Companies that invest in executive coaching see stronger leadership, better productivity, and improved profits.
- Clearer communication and team alignment
- Faster decisions and shorter project cycles
- Improved retention of key talent
- Stronger succession planning
Individual Benefits
Executives build stronger leadership skills, improve time management, make better decisions, and find work-life balance.
- Clearer focus and fewer time-wasting meetings
- Executive presence without theatrics
- Practical tools for conflict and feedback
- Confidential thinking partner
What is an executive coach?
Common misconception: Executive coaches don't need to be experts in your specific field. Their role is to help you think differently, challenge assumptions, and see blind spots—not do your job for you.
Strong coaches bring leadership experience, coaching training, and a clear process for goal setting and accountability. Good coaching isn't therapy or consulting—it helps you produce your own best answers and follow through.
The best sign you have the right coach: You think better after every conversation, and you keep your promises to yourself.
How does executive coaching work?
The Psychological Safety Impact
Executive coaching improves psychological safety within teams—the sense that people feel safe to speak up, share ideas, and take risks without fear. When leaders model curiosity and clarity, teams contribute more.
- Teams share risks earlier
- Managers catch issues sooner
- Meetings shift from reporting to problem-solving
- Steadier delivery with fewer bottlenecks
Typical Process:
Clear outcomes and baseline
45-60 min weekly/biweekly
Monthly metrics and notes
What's the ROI of executive coaching?
Near-term gains:
- Faster decisions
- Shorter project cycles
- Fewer escalations
- Improved win rates
- Stronger retention
Risk reduction:
- Fewer failed hires
- Less compliance issues
- Reduced conflict recovery time
- Better board relationships
Many leaders find the investment paid for itself with just one or two wins—a retained employee, an unblocked project, or a saved account.
AI in Executive Coaching
Can AI help?
Yes, for drafts, summaries, practice prompts, and research. AI saves prep time so coaching focuses on judgment and behavior change.
Learning AI?
A coach can help you build an AI learning plan with use cases, tools, and guardrails that fit your role.
AI as coach?
Use AI as an assistant, not replacement. Bots miss context and can't hold you accountable like humans can.
Why leaders hesitate to use executive coaching
Cost concerns:
Start with one outcome that would pay back the fee—keeping a key person, saving a project, or landing an account.
Time constraints:
Coaching saves time by removing unnecessary meetings and fixing recurring issues. Most leaders gain hours weekly within a month.
Vulnerability fears:
Coaching is private with clear confidentiality rules. Good coaches create safe spaces for direct conversation.
Fit concerns:
Sample two coaches and pick the one who helps you think better in the first meeting.
Common Questions About Executive Coaching
I'm overwhelmed and struggle with my role. Can an executive coach help me?
Yes. Coaches work with leaders facing high pressure and stress. You'll build a plan that sets priorities, reduces context switching, and protects time for deep work. Many leaders report clearer focus and calmer weeks within the first few sessions.
I have a high-potential employee who lacks motivation. Can I hire a coach for them?
Yes. Many CEOs and HR leaders hire coaches to help high-potential employees sharpen skills and grow into leadership roles. The coaching targets ownership, communication, and delegation while keeping work grounded in business outcomes.
I was promoted to management but only have technical experience. Can a coach help?
Yes. This is common for skilled professionals like engineers, IT leaders, accountants, and physicians. You'll learn tools for setting direction, giving feedback, and running meetings, plus executive presence for peer and stakeholder interactions.
Need help finding the right executive coach?
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George Murray
Marc Davenport Certified SCORE Mentor
Glen Allen, Virginia 23060
Catherine Wood
EMCC ITCA, Dip. LC, Dip. PC,
Collie, Western Australia
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Executive Coach
Ruqaya Ibrahim
BS, MA, NLP
Fremont, California 94561
Xavier K Smith BComm, MBA
Cape Town, Western Cape
Jeremy Boorman BComm, Technology Executive
Aoife Donovan Lee BS, MS, Masters in Psychology, BSc in HR Management, Diploma in Executive Coaching, Diploma in Training and Development
Dublin
Oscar Westra van Holthe
Amsterdam, North Holland
Michael Schwartz MBTI, Gallup Strengths, ELI-MP
Herndon, Virginia 20170
Madeleine Shaw
BA (Juris), LLB (Hons)
New South Wales
Christine LeLacheur
Toronto, Ontario M4R 1J6
Sam Waltz APR, Fellow PRSA
Wilmington, Delaware 19807
Celine Fontaine
PCC; BSc Business Management & Sociology; Somatic Coach; Brain-based Coach; Positive Psychology Coach; EI Coach
Tarek Elsherif BS, CHA
Cairo, Al Qahirah
Megumi Haeussler Albi
Hamburg, Hamburg
Aditi Radhakrishnan
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Bettina Davis Life Coaching Certification from Tony Gaskins Academy
Paul Babic MSc in Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, MSc from University of Oxford Saïd Business School in Major Programme Management
The Hague, South Holland
Lidia Plotkina
Masters in Applied Psychology and Coaching
Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur
Nate Washington MHrM, MAFM
Park City, Utah 84098
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