Let me share a story (a bit of mine) that you may also relate to. A well-performing executive—a person who has risen quickly through the ranks, accomplished more than they’d imagined, and is widely respected by colleagues. Yet, in the quiet moments of reflection, they realise that their confidence wavers more than it should. They juggle competing priorities, find themselves pulled into every detail, and the work-life harmony they’ve strived for feels perpetually out of reach. Despite their strengths, a sense of being “stuck” starts to creep in, and it’s increasingly clear that their growth requires more than just traditional management training or strategic development plans. For the ones who may want to read a relevant book around this, do read “Unfiltered” by Ana Lueneburger & Saurabh Mukherjea (a book that bares the relationship between a coach and coachee)
In moments like these, many executives find the support they need not from additional training but from the individualised, nuanced guidance of an executive coach.
Here, I observe top five reasons why executive coaching can be transformative, enabling leaders to reach and sustain new heights in their careers.
1. Maximising Potential
Executive coaching is tailored for leaders who have achieved significant success but seek to unlock untapped potential. For many, this means moving beyond technical skills to explore self-perception, mindset, and emotional intelligence. While management training can enhance operational skills, it is often only through coaching that leaders begin to truly understand their unique strengths, limitations, and growth areas.
A coach, for example, might help a leader identify limiting beliefs—perhaps that they need to know everything to be an effective leader or that they must always be “on” to inspire their team. By challenging these beliefs, coaching can guide leaders to adopt healthier and more effective approaches to their work, encouraging a growth mindset that is fundamental to sustainable success.
Through a nuanced, person-centric approach, an executive coach provides a safe space for leaders to explore and express challenges they may not disclose in professional settings. As a result, leaders can more easily tap into creativity, resilience, and motivation, becoming far more self-aware and adaptable in their approach to challenges and opportunities.
2. Enhancing Emotional Intelligence
EI is increasingly recognised as a cornerstone of effective leadership. In today’s business world, leaders are not only expected to perform but to inspire, empathise, and create psychologically safe environments. However, managing emotions—both one’s own and those of others—is often easier said than done, especially when under pressure.
An executive coach helps leaders build emotional intelligence by focusing on self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, motivation, and social skills. For instance, they may work with a leader on understanding triggers that cause frustration and developing strategies for managing reactions constructively. By enhancing EI, leaders not only become more resilient but also foster a culture of trust, collaboration, and innovation within their teams.
Through reflective conversations and structured exercises, executive coaches empower leaders to embrace vulnerability without sacrificing authority. This newfound balance enables leaders to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics, build deeper connections with their teams, and lead in a way that resonates with both heart and mind.
3. Strategic Decision-Making and Critical Thinking
Executive coaching is invaluable in refining decision-making skills—a must-have for any high-stakes leadership role. While strategy is often part of a leader’s core responsibilities, the path to sound decision-making can become obscured by stress, deadlines, and competing priorities. A coach’s role here is to help leaders approach decisions with greater clarity, perspective, and intention.
A coach may introduce decision-making frameworks that allow executives to slow down, assess data critically, and consider all angles, balancing risk and reward thoughtfully. By reflecting on past decisions and examining outcomes, leaders can better recognize patterns and biases in their thinking, ultimately cultivating an approach that combines logic with intuition. This not only improves the quality of decisions but also bolsters confidence, allowing leaders to embrace bold choices with conviction.
Further, the coach can aid in long-term strategic thinking, enabling executives to align their decisions with overarching goals and values. This holistic view is vital as leaders navigate volatile business landscapes, helping them pivot thoughtfully and sustain forward momentum.
4. Catalyst to Resilience and Managing Thoughts
Leaders often shoulder an immense amount of stress, which can lead to burnout if not managed effectively. An executive coach serves as an invaluable ally in developing resilience and managing stress in a proactive, structured manner. They offer techniques to help leaders shift from a “doing” mindset to a “being” mindset, creating a balanced rhythm that allows for both productivity and recovery.
Through practices like mindfulness, boundary-setting, and time management, coaches work with leaders to transform stressors into opportunities for growth. Coaches encourage executives to tune into their physical and mental well-being, introducing routines that support sustained energy and focus. Focusing on eustress rather than distress.
In addition, a coach can guide leaders in building mental resilience by reframing challenges as learning experiences and developing a positive approach to setbacks. This outlook reduces the emotional toll of high-stress situations and ensures that leaders remain adaptable, composed, and forward-looking, regardless of external pressures.
5. Creating Authentic, Purpose-Driven Leadership
We may be hearing this often. A critical role of executive coaching is helping leaders connect more deeply with their values and purpose. In the daily demands of executive roles, it is easy for leaders to lose sight of what drives them, leading to feelings of disillusionment or disconnection. An executive coach works with leaders to rediscover their “why” and align their actions with their core beliefs and long-term goals.
This process involves clarifying values, articulating a vision, and cultivating a leadership style that feels authentic. When leaders operate from a place of authenticity and purpose, they are naturally more inspiring, creating a ripple effect that influences the entire organisation. A purpose-driven approach not only enhances personal fulfilment but also attracts like-minded individuals, strengthens organisational culture, and improves overall employee engagement.
For instance, a coach may guide an executive in articulating a vision that resonates beyond financial performance, encompassing positive impacts on team well-being, community, and industry. By bringing authenticity to the forefront, coaching transforms leadership from transactional to transformational, allowing leaders to leave a lasting legacy.
The Ripple Effect of Executive Coaching
Investing in executive coaching extends beyond personal growth; it has a ripple effect across the organisation. Leaders who are self-aware, emotionally intelligent, and strategically sound influence their teams positively, fostering a culture of trust, resilience, and collaboration. As coaching insights become embedded in the fabric of a leader’s approach, their enhanced capabilities translate to organisational strength, innovation, and agility.
Executive coaching is not about instant results but about sustainable, authentic growth. Leaders committed to evolving their impact will find coaching to be a powerful vehicle for transformation. As they continue to unlock potential, improve decision-making, manage stress, and lead authentically, they shape their organisations—and themselves—in profoundly meaningful ways.
It is a process that aligns the leader’s personal growth with organisational success, ultimately creating a more compassionate, capable, and visionary form of leadership.
The views and opinions published here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the publisher.
Extending beyond academia; Ankoor has been honoured with the "CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE 2024" award by Passion Vista and recognized as the "MAN OF EXCELLENCE, 2024" by the prestigious Indian Achievers' Award. Additionally, he received the "LEADER 2.0 AWARD, 2023" from adgully and was named a "DIGITAL KAIZEN LEADER by DigiAdCon 2024”, Dr. Dasguupta's contributions to the field of marketing are widely acclaimed, marking him as an inspiring thought leader in his domain. Ankoor is also a member of IMA India’s CMO Forum.
Most recently Dr. Dasguupta has been selected and felicitated with the national level award -Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam Inspiration Award 2024 in the category Youth Icon of the Year.
Dr. Dasguupta is a key member of the esteemed International CMO Council and keeps delivering lectures at top Business Schools and also colleges at University of Delhi. As an industry expert, Ankoor has also been a member of the interview panel at MICA for their PGP Group Exercise & Personal Interview PI process for PGDM-C/PGDM selection for two consecutive years. Dr. Dasguupta is also on the Advisory Board of the Marketing Department at ISBR Business School, Bangalore. Recognized by DMA Asia as a marketing Ace, Dr. Dasguupta is a LinkedIn Top Voice, advocate of social impact, driven by kaizen, Ankoor believes in the power of Energy and Energize
Dr. Ankoor is practicing his PCC (Level 2) coaching from the gold standard International Coaching Federation [ICF]. He is a people's person and has worked across functions in senior leadership positions in marketing, advertising, media & communication with a pedigree of 24 years and ongoing exciting journey. Trained from Dale Carnegie in Mentoring to Develop Talent, Ankoor is a marketing practitioner, a coach, a knowledge manager, a team builder, a thought-leader, an avid writer with close to 100 published articles / interviews and is a Thought Leader. Dr.Ankoor wears the hat of a CMO as well. His leisure pursuits are reading, effective listening and percussion. Follow Dr. Ankoor Dasguupta on LinkedIn| https://www.linkedin.com/in/ankoordasguupta/
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