Introduction – The Fork in the Road:
Imagine you’re standing at a crossroads in your career. You’ve achieved success, but something feels… off. Maybe you’re stuck, facing a leadership challenge, or wondering, what’s next? This is the moment when many executives start considering coaching—but often, they don’t realise it yet.
Mark’s Story: I once worked with a leader—let’s call him Mark—who was at the top of his game, leading a large team, hitting targets, but feeling uninspired. He didn’t think he needed coaching… until he realized that without change, his next five years would look exactly like his last five. That’s when we started working together, and his transformation was remarkable.
Why Do I Need a Coach?
Think of coaching as a personal trainer for your leadership. You might be in good shape already, but without guidance, accountability, and the right strategy, you’ll plateau.
Common Scenarios Where Coaching Helps:
Feeling stuck – You’ve hit a career ceiling and don’t know how to break through.
Navigating change – You’ve been promoted, moved industries, or taken on a bigger role.
Leadership challenges – You struggle with managing teams, conflict, or decision-making.
Lack of fulfillment – You’re successful on paper but not feeling satisfied.
Mark’s Story (continued):When Mark first sat down with me, he realised his leadership style was reactive. He was firefighting daily, rather than leading strategically. Coaching helped him step back, see the bigger picture, and create the space to lead effectively.
How to Select the Right Coach for You:
Not all coaches are created equal. The key is finding someone who:
Has experience relevant to your role and challenges.
Uses a structured yet flexible approach.
Can challenge you and hold you accountable—not just be a cheerleader.
You feel comfortable with but not too comfortable—growth comes from being stretched.
Pro Tip:Always have a discovery call before committing. A great coach will be as selective about working with you as you are about them.
Mark’s Story (continued): Mark initially thought he needed a mentor, someone to tell him exactly what to do. But after our first session, he realized coaching was about helping him think differently—so he could develop his own solutions with clarity and confidence.
The Coaching Process – What Happens in a Coaching Engagement?
A typical executive coaching engagement lasts around six months, with bi-weekly sessions. Here’s what the journey looks like:
Discovery & Goal-Setting (Session 1-2) – We get clear on what you want to achieve. Tools like the Wheel of Life help map out where you are versus where you want to be.
Deep Dive & Insight (Sessions 3-6) – We identify obstacles—limiting beliefs, blind spots, patterns of behaviour.
Action & Experimentation (Sessions 7-10) – You start testing new approaches in real life.
Refinement & Mastery (Sessions 11-12) – We fine-tune what works, build habits, and create a plan for sustaining change beyond coaching.
Common Tools Used in Coaching:
Wheel of Life – A visual tool to assess balance across work, relationships, health, and more.
360-Degree Feedback – Gathering insights from colleagues to identify strengths and gaps.
Values & Strengths Assessments – Clarifying what truly drives you.
Journalling & Reflection Prompts – Encouraging deeper self-awareness between sessions.
Mark’s Story (continued): Midway through coaching, Mark had an epiphany: he was managing his team, but not truly leading them. We worked on shifting his mindset from “doing” to “empowering.” By the end of our sessions, he had restructured his leadership approach, which led to higher team engagement and better results.
Conclusion – The Transformation & Next Steps
Coaching isn’t about fixing what’s broken. It’s about unlocking potential—turning good leaders into great ones, and great ones into visionary game-changers.
Key Takeaways:
If you’re at a crossroads, coaching provides clarity and direction.
The right coach will challenge you, hold you accountable, and help you think differently.
The process is structured, but your growth is unique to you.
In six months, you won’t just be more successful—you’ll be a more effective, fulfilled leader.
If Mark’s story resonated with you, it’s time to take action. Book a coaching discovery session with me—let’s explore what’s possible for you.
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