top of page
  • Writer's pictureJeneen Masih

How Top Leaders Use Coaching to Get Ahead

How Top Leaders Use Coaching to Get Ahead

Are you looking for ways to increase your success in your career or your company? Are you a c-suite executive, entrepreneur, or startup leader trying to differentiate yourself from the competition and create more meaningful impact? If so, consider using coaching as a tool to propel your career forward.

Coaching has become essential to leadership development—helping leaders be more productive, innovate faster, and manage themselves and their teams better.


By leveraging the power of 1:1 coaching combined with effective goal-setting strategies and personal development frameworks, top leaders have overcome obstacles they once thought insurmountable while at the same time evolving their skill sets.


In this article, we will explore how top leaders use coaching to get ahead by diving into everything from research-backed benefits to key focus areas.


Defining Coaching and How It Can Help Leaders Achieve Their Goals

Coaching has become a popular way for leaders to achieve their goals and improve their management skills. Whether through a career coach or a leadership coach, individuals seeking guidance on navigating complex business environments can benefit greatly from working with an expert.


For founders and CEOs of startups, in particular, coaching can be very helpful as they navigate the challenges of building a new company from scratch. Coaches can help leaders develop the confidence and skills needed to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals by providing personalized advice and tools for success.


Ultimately, coaching can be a valuable investment for anyone looking to improve their leadership abilities and advance their career.


The Benefits of Leadership Coaching

There are numerous benefits to leadership coaching that extend far beyond your career.


First and foremost, leadership coaching can provide you with the tools needed to achieve a better work-life balance. This is because leadership coaching helps to improve your time-management skills and increase your efficiency, giving you more time to focus on your physical and mental health.


Additionally, leadership coaching can help you make better decisions regarding your income, as you'll be better equipped to negotiate salaries and other benefits.


Plus, by working with a skilled coach, you can identify areas where you have room for growth and development, leading to a more fulfilling career and a healthier and more fulfilling personal life.


Types of Leadership Coaches and What They Offer

Leadership coaches come in various shapes and sizes, and each type offers unique insights and skills to help individuals and organizations succeed.


Whether you need guidance on improving your leadership style, enhancing your team's performance, or achieving specific business goals, there's a coach out there who can help you.


Performance-based coaches maximize teams' efficiency, encourage communication, and track progress to achieve goals. They help create a culture of accountability, instill discipline and focus, and effectively provide strategies to overcome challenges. If you want to elevate your leadership skills, a performance-based coach might be just the right fit for you.


Steps to Find an Effective Coach

Finding the right coach can be daunting, but with some careful steps, you'll be on your way to discovering a coach who can add significant value to your life.

  1. Consider your goals and what you hope to gain from the coaching experience.

  2. Look for coaches who have experience in your field or industry and who align with your values and personality. Don't be afraid to ask for referrals or to review their credentials and certifications.

  3. Schedule consultations to ensure you have a strong rapport.

  4. Be open and committed to the process, as effective coaching is a collaborative effort toward achieving your desired outcomes.

Tips for Achieving Maximum Results from Your Coaching Experience

As with anything in life, the more effort you put into your coaching experience, the more you'll get out of it.

  • It's not enough to simply show up to your sessions - you must be fully engaged and present in order to achieve maximum results. This means being open to feedback, asking questions, and setting clear goals and intentions for your coaching journey.

  • Additionally, it's important to establish a strong rapport with your coach in order to build a foundation of trust and respect. Remember, coaching is a partnership between you and your coach, and by working together as a team, you can unlock your full potential and achieve the success you desire.

Examples of Successful Leaders Who Have Benefited from Coaching

In today's fast-paced world, leading an organization can be challenging. However, with the help of a coach, many successful leaders have been able to overcome obstacles and reach new heights.


Take Indra Nooyi, the former CEO of PepsiCo, for example. Under her leadership, the company saw a 38% increase in revenue. Nooyi credits her success in part to her coach, who helped her develop a leadership style that focused on collaboration and empathy.


Another example is Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google. Schmidt was known for seeking out guidance and coaching throughout his career. One coach, in particular, helped him hone his communication skills and become a more effective leader.


These are just a few examples of how coaching can make a positive impact on a leader's career, leading to greater success and satisfaction.


In all,

  • Coaching is a powerful tool to help leaders unlock their potential and move toward their desired goals. It can help them understand their needs and develop the skills, knowledge, perspective and strategies to become an effective leader.

  • Coaching is no longer limited to the boardroom and there are plenty of different types of coaches available for any given leadership challenge that must be faced.

  • When selecting a coach for yourself or your team, be sure to look into their background, expertise, experience, style and objectives to ensure those align with yours.

  • Before engaging with a coach, take some time to determine what you want from the relationship in order to maximize your results.

  • Look no further than successful leaders who have benefited from coaching for further inspiration!

Achieving success as a leader isn’t easy, but having a professional coach on your side can make all the difference. So take that first step towards unlocking your potential as a leader – book your 15-minute discovery call today!

bottom of page