How to Choose an Executive Coach Who Will Actually Help You Grow

I have spent years coaching leaders, and I have been coached myself. The right coach can change the course of a career. The wrong one is a pleasant waste of time and money. The difference usually comes down to fit, and to a few questions most people never think to ask.

Executive coaching works. The International Coaching Federation's global research finds that most clients report better work performance, stronger communication, and more confidence after coaching (ICF, 2020). But the results come from the relationship, not the credential. Here is how I would choose.

Start with the outcome, not the resume. Before you look at any coach, name what you want to be different in six months. More presence in the room. A team that runs without you. A hard decision made. A good coach helps you get specific, because vague goals produce vague growth.

Look for challenge, not comfort. The point of coaching is not to feel good for an hour. It is to see yourself clearly and act. My own practice is built on a balance of support and honest feedback. Ask a prospective coach how they handle the moment when a client is avoiding something. Their answer tells you a lot.

Ask about their model. Strong coaches work from a framework, not just intuition. They can name how they think about growth, and they adjust it to you. Research on adult development shows that people change through new experiences and reflection, not advice alone (Kegan and Lahey, 2009). Your coach should know that in their bones.

Notice the follow-through. Growth happens between sessions. The best coaches help you commit to action, then hold you to it. When you talk to a coach, notice whether they are already helping you think differently. That is the work.

Trust the fit. You will tell this person the truth about your fears and your ambitions. If you do not feel safe and a little stretched at the same time, keep looking.

Coaching is an investment in the one instrument you bring to every role, which is you. Choose someone who will meet you with both care and candor, and who moves you to act.

If you want to talk about whether coaching is right for you, I would welcome the conversation. Learn more about my background at annisstubbs.com, or reach me at annis@thepapyrusgroup.com.

References: ICF. (2020). Global Coaching Client Study. International Coaching Federation. Kegan, R., & Lahey, L. (2009). Immunity to Change. Harvard Business Press.