What Is Executive Coaching? (And Why You Might Need It More Than You Think)

When most people hear “Executive Coaching” they imagine a corner office CEO getting pricey life advice from someone in a suit. But that’s not the reality.

Executive Coaching is about helping people at all levels in a business, from first time managers to senior executives, develop their leadership skills, improve performance and navigate difficult challenges with clarity and confidence.

Executive Coaching is like having a really smart, objective friend who's great at asking the right questions and helping you see your blind spots. Except this friend has professional training in leadership development and won't judge you for admitting you have no idea how to handle that 'difficult situation'.

It’s not therapy (although it can feel very therapeutic) and it’s not consulting (although you’ll walk away with practical strategies). Coaching is a collaborative process that helps you grow, adapt and perform at your very best in the workplace.

What Actually Happens in Executive Coaching?

Every coaching relationship is unique, but here’s what you can typically expect:

• Initial Assessment: Understanding your goals, challenges, your current role and what success looks like for you. This helps creates a clear picture of where you are today and the direction you want to grow in.

• Goal Setting: You'll get clear on what you want to achieve and why it matters. The focus is on making your goals meaningful and realistic for you.

• Regular Sessions: Usually bi-weekly or monthly, focusing on both immediate challenges and long term growth. Whatever works best for you.

• Real World Application: Coaches don’t do the work for you; they help you take what you've talked about in sessions and put it into practice in your day to day.

• Ongoing Support: Many coaches offer quick check ins between sessions, which can be incredibly invaluable during when facing difficult or urgent challenges.

  
  

Who Actually Benefits from Coaching?

The short answer...almost everyone. Coaching is especially valuable during times of transition, growth or challenge. Examples include:

• New managers learning to lead for the first time

• High potential employees preparing for bigger roles

• Senior leaders facing expanded responsibilities

• Entrepreneurs scaling their businesses

• Technical experts moving into people management

• Anyone struggling with communication, delegation or strategy

• Anyone who wants accountability and a sounding board

The Bottom Line

Executive coaching isn’t about admitting weakness, far from it. It’s an investment in your career, your effectiveness and perhaps more importantly, your sanity.

Think about it this way: athletes have coaches, musicians have teachers, and pilots have co-pilots. Why should anyone working in a business be any different?

The best time to work with a coach isn’t when things are falling apart, it’s when you’re ready to take your leadership, career and impact to the next level.

After all, the most successful professionals aren’t the ones who never need help. They’re the ones who are smart enough to ask for it.

Have you ever worked with a coach? What difference did it make for you? Or what would you hope to gain if you tried it? Share your thoughts below.

And if you'd like to book a free 15 minute 'First Step Chat', then please visit my website to access my Calendly link, I'll happily talk you through how Coaching can help you.