An executive coach is your thinking partner. They help you think clearly under pressure. It is not therapy. It is not consulting either.
A good coach gives you room to work through hard choices. They help you see your strengths. They also help you spot your blind spots. Not every leader needs one. But the ones who do often gain a lot.
What Is Executive Coaching?
Coaching focuses on your thinking, your decisions, and your confidence (Bandura, 1977). Therapy is different. It helps with emotional or mental-health struggles. Consulting is different too. It hands you the answers. Coaching assumes you can find the answers yourself. The coach just helps you get there. Over time, this builds belief in your own skills.
Why Confidentiality Matters
Leaders carry a lot of pressure. Coaching gives you a safe place to speak freely. You can share doubts. You can test ideas. You can plan without fear. When people feel safe to take risks, they learn and perform better (Edmondson, 1999). The same holds one to one. When a leader feels heard, they think more clearly.
Who Benefits From a Coach?
Not every leader needs one. But some gain a lot:
- The isolated leader. The higher you rise, the less honest feedback you get. A coach fills that gap.
- The leader with big goals but uneven follow-through. Maybe you have a clear mission. But you struggle to make it happen. Coaching helps close that gap (Gartenberg et al., 2019).
- The leader in transition. A promotion or a merger brings new pressure. A coach helps you handle the shift.
Who Does Not Need One?
Coaching is not for everyone:
- People who want a quick fix. It takes time.
- People who want someone else to decide. That is consulting.
- People who avoid feedback.
What Happens in an Engagement?
Most programs run 6 to 12 months. You meet about once every two weeks. Each session starts with a check-in. Then the coach asks questions. They look at how you decide. They look at how you communicate. They look at how much you trust yourself (Bandura, 1977). Coaching also expects action. Between sessions, you try new approaches in real life. Then you keep what works.
If this sounds like the partner you need, see how Mherie works with founders and executives.
Key Takeaways
- A coach is a thinking partner. Not a therapist. Not a consultant.
- It suits leaders who feel alone, or who need to turn vision into action.
- Real work lasts months. Sessions focus on your decisions, your confidence, and how you communicate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do I meet my coach? Usually every two weeks, for 6 to 12 months.
What if I do not like feedback? Then coaching will not help much. It relies on reflection.
Can a coach replace a consultant? No. A coach helps you find your own answers. A consultant gives you theirs.
This article is for general information and education only and is not financial, legal, tax, medical, or professional advice. Individual results vary.
References
- Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review, 84(2), 191-215.
- Edmondson, A. C. (1999). Psychological safety and learning behavior in work teams. Administrative Science Quarterly, 44(2), 350-383.
- Gartenberg, C., Prat, A., & Serafeim, G. (2019). Corporate purpose and financial performance. Organization Science, 30(1), 1-18.
This article reflects the personal experience and views of Mherie Vic Palomo-Prevendido and is for general information and education only - not financial, legal, tax, medical, or psychological advice. Your results will vary.