If you’ve searched ‘is executive coaching worth it for CEOs’, you’ve probably read the same vague claims again and again. Promises, buzzwords, and not much substance.
We find those analyses as dull and unhelpful as you do.
This article cuts through the noise. Based on over two decades of experience working with senior executives, we share what actually works — and what doesn’t — at the highest levels of leadership. You’ll find real examples, practical insights, and two simple strategies that helped one client unlock £1.7 million in annual returns.
Most importantly, you’ll learn what CEOs say they truly value in a coach.
Table of Contents: Is Executive Coaching Worth It For CEOs?
The Executive Coaching Reality: why it can be a game-changer (or not)
For many CEOs executive coaching can either be an absolute waste of time or one of the smartest investments they’ll ever make. The difference depends on finding the right coach, one who understands the unique needs of high-level executives and tailors their approach accordingly.
Most executive coaching follows a well-trodden path. The coach listens, reflects, and prompts the coachee to work through their own challenges. For many, this works fine — providing structure, accountability, and a space for clarity. However, this isn’t the model that works best for senior executives and CEOs.
To find out more about exactly what executive coaching is, read our article ‘What is an Executive Coach?’ |
Is Executive Coaching Worth It For CEOs?: Why Standard Coaching Isn’t Enough for CEOs
Let’s be blunt: CEOs are not your average clients. They’ve already faced countless challenges, made quick decisions under pressure, and navigated highly complex situations. By the time they seek out a coach they’ve usually exhausted their internal resources. They need more than a sounding board or a series of open-ended questions. They need actionable insights. They need real solutions.
At the senior executive level coaching should be a tool for refining, not rebuilding. Most CEOs don’t have time for ‘deep reflection’ sessions. What they are after is clear, focused action. They want to uncover solutions they haven’t yet thought of, or gain new perspectives on old problems.
That’s why the specialist area of executive coaching has emerged – CEO Coaching.
To gain a detailed understanding of what CEO coaching entails, read our article ‘What is CEO Coaching?’ |
Is Executive Coaching Worth It For CEOs?: What do CEOs Really Want from Executive Coaching?
If you’re wondering what makes executive coaching worth it for high-level leaders, here’s the reality: CEOs want clarity, strategy, and measurable outcomes. They want a coach who can bring fresh insights from outside their organisation — someone with experience in various industries who can look at their challenges from new angles. They want advanced coaching.
A really good coach doesn’t just ask questions — they provide solutions. They also don’t shy away from offering honest feedback, something often missing for those at the top of hierarchical companies. CEOs need coaches who are not afraid to challenge them when they’re on the wrong track and who can speak the truth that no one else in the company can.
CEOs want action. They want change and they want it quickly. They need a return on their investment — not just in terms of money, but also in terms of time and effort.
If you are interested in improving as a leader, you may wish to read our article ‘5 Unique Tips for How to Be a Better Leader’ |
Is Executive Coaching Worth It For CEOs?: The Return on Investment of Executive Coaching
The most important question most senior executives have is: What will my return be? You need to make a really good return not just on the money you’ve spent but also the time you’ve invested. Weak ROIs? They’re pointless.
So, is executive coaching worth it for CEOs? Will you see a return that justifies both your time and your money?
Absolutely. But only if it is excellent coaching that delivers tangible results.
A recent client of ours, a hedge fund executive, signed up for a six-session coaching package averaging about £360 per session. In the first session alone, we helped him implement two simple systems — gatekeeping and triage — that allowed him to better manage his time. The result? He recovered roughly 70–75% of his time, which, according to his own calculations, translated into an additional approximate £1.7 million in annual returns.
‘He recovered roughly 70–75% of his time’
We’re not of course claiming every coaching session will generate millions. But when coaching is done well, the results can be dramatic. For senior leaders the stakes are high and the improvements need to be felt fast.
In addition to evaluating is executive coaching worth it for CEOs, explore a detailed overview of CEO coaching fees and return on investment in our article ‘How Much Does CEO Coaching Cost?’ |
The Extra Value of Coaching: honest feedback and support
One of the biggest challenges faced by CEOs is isolation. Who can they turn to for honest feedback without risking damaging relationships? In a company hierarchy, few people will be willing to tell a CEO the brutal truth — whether it’s about how they’re managing a team or the way their leadership style is being perceived.
So, what do senior executives value highly in a coach? Honesty. Being told the truth, with no personal agenda and no beating around the bush. A skilled executive coach must be able to do this and do it in a useful and productive way.
A good coach can point out the things that others won’t. For example, they might help a CEO understand why a comment landed badly in a meeting or provide a blunt assessment of team dynamics that need fixing. This honest feedback is about offering insight and helping the CEO correct course before a minor issue becomes a major problem.
Find out what makes an exceptional CEO in our article ‘What Makes a Great CEO?’ |
It’s Not About a Cosy Chat
We’ve all heard the cliché about executive coaching being a form of ‘cosy chat’, but that’s not what top-level coaching should look like. One CEO we worked with summed it up perfectly. He tried coaching with two different coaches. One, he described as ‘lovely’, but ultimately ineffective. ‘I could have had a nice chat with her every week forever and achieved nothing’ he said. ‘What I want is action’.
That’s exactly it. Executive coaching at the C-suite level must deliver. It needs to be sharp, focused, and results-driven.
Find out why executive coaching works particularly well in New York by reading our article ‘Why Executive Coaching in New York is Different’ |
So, Is Executive Coaching Worth It For CEOs?
In a word: yes. But only if you’re working with the right coach.
A great executive coach for a CEO should:
- Have experience at the board or C-suite level
- Understand the nuances of leadership challenges
- Coach in a direct, focused, outcome-oriented way
- Offer ideas, strategies and solutions, not just questions
- Be willing to challenge assumptions and provide tough feedback
- Deliver measurable outcomes and hold themselves accountable for the results
When you find the right fit, executive and CEO coaching can transform the way you lead, help you recover precious time, strengthen your team and sharpen your decision-making. It’s an investment that, when done properly, can deliver returns that far exceed the initial cost.
Explore whether executive coaching is useful more generally in our article ‘Is Executive Coaching a Good Investment?’ For more insights about how to choose executive coaching that improves performance and results, read our article ‘Best Executive Coaching Services’. To discover what the highest levels of executive coaching can provide, see our article ‘Advanced Executive Coaching’. |
Mary Taylor & Associates: CEO Coaching With Measurable Results
At Mary Taylor & Associates we provide CEO coaching beyond the ordinary. For over 20 years Mary has achieved tangible results for CEOs, business leaders, and senior executives. We tailor our approach to meet the specific needs of every client, ensuring that each session is impactful and delivers real-world outcomes. We also guarantee all of our work.
If you’re looking for Advanced CEO Coaching that delivers actionable strategies and provides measurable results, we’re here to help.
Mary Taylor brings a unique combination of expertise as a corporate lawyer, psychologist, and accredited coach, with over 20 years’ experience advising owners across diverse industries. This multidisciplinary approach allows us to provide innovative strategies, lateral thinking and proven methods that produce quantifiable results.
Is executive coaching worth it for CEOs? In the hands of the right coach, it absolutely is.
Get in touch with us today to learn how executive coaching with Mary Taylor & Associates can help you achieve the extraordinary.
