Executive coaching is a valuable tool for leaders at all levels of an organisation. People in positions of power are responsible for not just themselves but an entire group of people. If you are not performing at your maximum or leading responsibly, it has a ripple effect.

As leadership developers and culture consultants, we have thirty years’ experience helping global corporations create healthy work cultures. Our decades of organisational transformations show that culture is largely determined by senior leadership.

When a leader improves themselves, by default they help their team.

Here are seven other key reasons to engage an executive coach:

You are committed to personal and professional growth

Imagine if Muhammad Ali stopped working with his coach once he became world heavy weight champion. You might be performing well, but there is always opportunity to develop further.

Leadership coaching is not about fixing what's broken. A skilled coach helps you leverage your strengths and stay on top of your goals. They can identify blind spots and areas for improvement you hadn't considered.

You feel overwhelmed by leadership demands

Global data suggests almost half of senior leaders are stressed with 70% reporting burnout impacts decision-making.

Day-to-day operations can prevent executives from planning ahead and considering future growth. When we struggle with stress, we tend to work even longer and further ignite the problem. A coach can assist with developing strategies to manage stress and maintain a work-life balance.

You would benefit from a second opinion

You know the saying, 'It's lonely at the top'. Once you reach executive level, you become isolated. You don't have as many peers and colleagues to turn to for advice, or just to test an idea. Everyone expects you to have the answers, which can feel overwhelming.

A much-needed, impartial sounding board gives you a moment to speak your mind and receive a fresh perspective.

You are at a crucial moment in your career

You've finally landed your dream position, but you feel lost with where to start. Or perhaps your responsibilities and environment have changed and you are struggling to adapt. So much is happening in our environment that leaders must stay agile.

AI, for example, is changing the way we work. We are still learning how to manage outside teams and multigenerational ones. Coaching offers ways to analyse situations from different angles and make effective decisions during stressful times, even when changes and challenges are present.

You understand it's important for your team to be coached

CEO Thom Dennis believes coaching is a fundamental part of leadership. As a leader, you have the opportunity to foster growth and empower others to reach their potential. It's incredibly rewarding but also advantageous if you have the tools to unlock your team's potential.

You can develop people skills through coaching to provide constructive feedback, set clear expectations, effectively delegate and create opportunities for advancement.

You notice the same recurring issues and roadblocks

Do you often find yourself procrastinating before making a decision? Are you consistently grappling with workplace politics when striving to achieve desired outcomes in meetings?

If the same patterns repeat, it is time to break the cycle. Otherwise, you will hinder your progress and limit your potential growth. Taking a step back to look at the bigger picture helps you find the root cause of your behaviour.

You want to learn more about yourself

Most of us believe we fully know ourselves, but surveys reveal only 10-15% of us are truly self-aware. There are many benefits to seeing ourselves clearly, including improved decisions, better communication, and stronger relationships.

When we analyse cultures, we typically ask leaders how they are perceived. In most cases, their perception differs from everyone else's.

Self-awareness can be intimidating because it may reveal uncomfortable truths or bring to light negative aspects of yourself. It can also bring up past traumas that you are trying to forget or have suppressed. With a supportive coach, you can navigate through these challenges in a safe space. You can discover why you do things the way you do and why some issues are more challenging than others.

A great sense of self-awareness can also reveal if your values and goals are in alignment.

What are the possible drawbacks to executive coaching?

Executive coaching is a proven method to boost productivity and has a 788% return on investment (ROI). But there are requirements to consider before investing.

Does the coachee want to be coached?

Coaching involves time, commitment and willingness to address areas for improvement. We have extensive experience working with organisations to determine the most suitable solution for each individual. For the coaching process to be effective, everyone involved must be open and transparent about their expectations and goals.

Do they feel safe?

Confidentiality concerns and fears of repercussions for sharing sensitive issues can cause individuals to hold back and not address their thoughts. We are not biased when we say coaching should come from experienced, external coaches who follow strict confidentiality rules.

Does the coach have too much influence on them?

Unfortunately, the coaching industry lacks regulation and some coaches may encourage executives to commit to long-term coaching with no plans for a final assessment. We have set plans in place that we customise for each executive to ensure they can put what they have learned into practice.

CEO Thom Dennis continuously develops his skills through building his qualifications and receiving coaching himself to stay up to date with techniques and approaches. Among his many certifications, he has a Master's in change psychology, is a certified NLP Master Practitioner and a certified facilitator.

Interested in engaging an executive coach?

For organisations and individuals, Serenity in Leadership has three decades of experience helping executives, CEOs and other board members develop themselves and in turn, their organisations.

To learn more about executive coaching and how it works, schedule a discovery call with Thom. This is an impartial, friendly conversation to see if executive coaching is the right fit.