The global workplace has fundamentally shifted since the COVID-19 pandemic. In the post-COVID era, we find ourselves in a constant state of change, with priorities and strategies continuously shifting. Despite our best efforts, it’s easy to become distracted by all the uncertainty and noise around us stemming from economic, social, and geopolitical issues, the rapid pace of digital transformation, and a remote and hybrid workplace. We face unprecedented challenges while striving to remain competitive in the marketplace. It can feel downright polarizing at times. Over the last year, my clients have reported having to balance multiple priorities simultaneously, including:
- Engaging a global, multicultural, multigenerational workforce while managing employee expectations around purpose, flexibility, and growth.
- Navigating the lightning speed of technological transformation, AI and automation balanced with foundational human factors.
- Driving performance, productivity, and profitability while maintaining empathy, well-being, and resilience.
- Managing competing priorities, including heightened stakeholder expectations on earnings, ESG, and social responsibility.
To thrive and be competitive in today’s dynamic and complex business landscape, executives must go beyond driving results. What’s needed is a growth mindset that inspires resilience, continuous learning, innovation, employee engagement, well-being, and retention. In times of uncertainty and rapid change, the role of the organization and its leaders is to provide guidance, guardrails, and the tools and resources to leverage to foster continuous engagement to build confidence and reassurance about the future. This is where executive coaching can play a significant role in facilitating professional and organizational growth.
The Coaching Advantage: Beyond Traditional Development
Executive coaching is a robust and durable approach that empowers individuals and teams to optimize their strengths, gain confidence, communicate more effectively, and develop emotional intelligence. The result is improved relationships, resilience, and a rhythm of thinking and working together, leading to high performance and better outcomes. A misconception I’ve heard when speaking with executives about coaching is that it’s intended to be a remedial intervention. I’m happy to share that this is no longer the case. Executive coaching is a valuable, strategic investment for individuals’ personal growth and development at every career stage. Coaching is a confidential partnership that empowers individuals, leaders, and managers to transform challenges into opportunities for growth, instilling a sense of confidence and control.
Coaching involves a structured process where an executive can identify and work on areas to improve and strengthen their leadership skills and achieve specific goals through guided self-reflection and questioning. Some examples include managing overwhelm by learning effective time management techniques, powering through imposter syndrome by building self-confidence, success in a new role by developing a clear transition plan, scenario planning by learning to anticipate and prepare for potential challenges, leading organizational change by fostering a culture of adaptability, maximizing team engagement by understanding individual motivations, career advancement by setting and achieving career goals, and transition by effectively managing change. Unlike mentoring, which often involves a mentor with deeper industry expertise and experience, it tends to be more informal, based on sharing personal experiences and often involves a mentor with greater industry expertise. Coaching can be delivered in individual one-to-one settings or small groups.
Executive coaching provides distinct advantages:
- Personalized Development: Tailored to individual leadership challenges and goals
- Actionable Insights: Practical strategies for immediate implementation
- Accountability Partnership: Regular check-ins to ensure progress
- Safe Space: Confidential environment to explore challenges
- Objective Perspective: Unbiased feedback and guidance for improved decision-making
Studies over the last ten years, conducted by reputable organizations such as the International Coach Federation and the Harvard Business Review, report the following return on investment (ROI) when coaching is combined with training:
- Companies that offer training alone experience a 22.4% increase in productivity, but when combined with coaching, that figure rises to 88%.
- Companies that combine coaching with training increase employee productivity by over 80%.
If you’re wondering about the key differences between coaching, mentoring, and consulting, I’ve provided a summary below:
- Executive Coaching: The relationship between a coach and an executive primarily focuses on developing skills related to personal effectiveness and leadership behaviors. Coaching utilizes a powerful questioning and reflective approach to help individuals discover their strengths. The outcome of this coaching approach helps executives improve their leadership skills and behaviors through self-discovery and targeted interventions.
- Mentoring: A mentor provides guidance and support based on a mentor’s experience to help someone navigate their career path. Mentoring often involves sharing knowledge and navigating career paths. Mentoring is more directive than coaching, offering advice based on the mentor’s career experience.
- Consulting: Consulting focuses on solving specific business challenges with external specialized expertise. Consulting is generally project-based with a defined scope of work and deliverables. Consultants offer expert advice and solutions to address specific organizational challenges. Consulting often involves presenting clear recommendations.
The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is the leading global organization for professional coaching. It sets high standards for the coaching profession, accredits coaching programs, provides a code of ethics for coaches, and offers continuous professional development opportunities. The ICF’s work documents the growing impact of coaching on organizational success, providing a sense of reassurance and confidence in the coaching profession.
Why Coaching Matters Now!
The pace of change has never been more rapid. Executives and professionals are navigating unprecedented challenges with expectations to deliver results under intensified performance pressure and stakeholder expectations. According to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace 2024 report, low employee engagement levels cost the global economy $8.9 trillion annually. The report cites that one of the primary root causes of disengagement is a need for more management and leadership development.
Embracing a coaching culture is a strategic move for any organization in 2025 and beyond. When organizations support their employees and provide continuous learning opportunities, employees are more likely to be engaged, go the extra mile, and bring their best selves to work. Gallup’s research indicates engaged employees are more productive and have lower absenteeism than disengaged employees. Additionally, for organizations that are struggling to attract and retain top talent, a coaching culture is a game-changer. This is excellent news for any leader looking to future-proof their business.
Executive coaching provides a vital support system in this environment – offering leaders and individual contributors a confidential space to process challenges, receive objective feedback, develop tailored strategies for success, and build and strengthen emotional intelligence (EQ) (often called soft skills). Through coaching, leaders, managers, and individuals develop the skills to shift from overwhelmed to empowered, improve engagement and relationships, develop resilience, adaptability, and sustainable practices required to navigate these multifaceted challenges, and improve chances for success. Coaches can help leaders by providing a safe space to consider options and avoid biases and hidden traps that unintentionally creep into strategic choices, resulting in improved decision-making, performance, and employee engagement.
Read Part 2, where we’ll dive deeper into the lasting impact and ROI of executive coaching. If you’re ready to explore how coaching can benefit you, we invite you to learn more about our services. Schedule your complimentary consultation today, or send us a message if you have any questions.
Read Part 3, where we’ll guide you through selecting the right coach to meet your unique needs and help you unlock your potential!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Carolyn Hillegass is the CEO and Founder of The Outcomes Coach and an ICF-certified executive coach with over 30 years of business experience and c-suite leadership in healthcare, technology, and emerging business sectors. She specializes in coaching tailored to the unique needs of individuals, teams, and organizations within the healthcare sector, including health services, life sciences, pharma, biotech, medtech, and digital health.
