An Honest Answer from a Former Skeptic

Quick Answer (tldr): Yes, executive coaching can absolutely help you get to the next level, but only if you’re willing to do the work. Studies show executive coaching delivers an average ROI of nearly 6 times the investment, with measurable improvements in productivity, leadership, and goal achievement. The real question isn’t whether coaching works. It’s whether you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and start moving forward.

 

Table of Contents

• My Honest Skepticism About Executive Coaching
• The Turning Point That Changed Everything
• Why Executive Coaching Actually Works
• What One Year of Coaching Did For Me
• Signs You’re Ready for Executive Coaching
• Common Myths About Executive Coaching
• How to Choose the Right Executive Coach
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Sources

 

My Honest Skepticism About Executive Coaching

Let’s be real for a minute.

 

When you hear the words “executive coaching,” there’s a good chance your inner skeptic perks up. Is executive coaching worth it? Does it actually work? Or is it just another expensive trend wrapped in fancy language?

 

I get it. I was that skeptic too.

 

Years ago, I was the guy with a hundred ideas and zero finished projects. My to-do list looked more like a wish list. I had goals. I had dreams. I had big plans. But I kept spinning out. I’d start strong, lose momentum, get distracted by the next shiny idea, and then beat myself up for not following through.

 

Sound familiar?

 

When the idea of hiring an executive coach first crossed my mind, I pushed back hard. I can figure this out on my own. I just need to focus. I just need a better planner. I just need more discipline.

 

But here’s the truth: I’d been telling myself “I just need…” for years. And nothing was changing.

 

Eventually, I got tired of being tired. So I gave executive coaching a shot, even though I wasn’t fully convinced it would work.

 

That decision changed my life.

 

The Turning Point That Changed Everything

Here’s where it got interesting.

 

I didn’t have some magical breakthrough in week one. There were no fireworks. No mountaintop moments right out of the gate.

 

What happened was slower and more powerful than that.

 

I started tracking my goals. I started showing up to my coaching sessions. I started doing the work. And one week at a time, things began to shift.

 

Then came the moment that changed everything.

 

At the end of my first year with my coach, I looked back at my list. The same list that had haunted me for years. And one by one, I saw items checked off. Goals I’d been carrying around for ages, finally done. Some of them ahead of schedule.

 

That’s when it hit me: executive coaching works.

 

Not because my coach did the work for me. But because having someone in my corner, asking the right questions, holding me accountable, and cheering me on, gave me the structure I’d been missing my whole life.

 

Why Executive Coaching Actually Works (When You Show Up)

Skepticism about coaching is usually rooted in one of two beliefs:

 

1. “I should be able to do this on my own.”
2. “Nobody else can really help me with my unique situation.”

 

Both of those are lies we tell ourselves to stay comfortable.

 

Here’s the truth: Even the best athletes in the world have coaches. The best CEOs have coaches. The best performers, speakers, and leaders all have coaches.

 

Why?

 

Not because they’re incapable. But because they understand something most people don’t:

 

You can’t see the picture when you’re inside the frame.

 

A great executive coach helps you step outside the frame. They ask the questions you’re not asking yourself. They hold up a mirror when you’d rather look away. They challenge your blind spots. And yes, they cheer you on when you need it most.

The Science Behind Coaching Effectiveness

If you want hard numbers, the research backs it up:

 

• The International Coaching Federation (ICF) reports that 86% of companies say they recouped their investment in coaching — and then some.¹
• A MetrixGlobal study by Merrill C. Anderson, Ph.D. found that executive coaching produced an ROI of 788% when including employee retention benefits.²
• The Manchester Review reported that executive coaching delivered an average return of nearly 5.7 times the initial investment — averaging close to $100,000 per executive.³

 

So no, executive coaching isn’t a feel-good fad. It’s a proven tool for measurable growth.

 

What One Year of Executive Coaching Did For Me

Looking back, here’s what one year of coaching gave me that I couldn’t give myself:

1. Accountability That Actually Stuck

It’s easy to let yourself off the hook. It’s a lot harder when someone’s going to ask you about it on Friday. My coach didn’t let me hide behind excuses.

2. Clarity on What Actually Mattered

I had too many irons in the fire. My coach helped me figure out which ones to pull out and which ones to focus on. That clarity alone was worth the investment.

3. Real Momentum

Once I started checking things off my list, I wanted to check more things off. Success built on success. Small wins turned into big wins. And big wins turned into life change.

4. Belief in What Was Possible

That year proved to me that I wasn’t lazy or broken. I just needed the right structure and the right support. And once I had it, I became unstoppable.

5. A New Calling

That experience shifted everything for me. It’s actually why I became an executive coach myself. I wanted to be the cheerleader for someone else. I wanted to help other leaders experience that same “aha” moment — when they suddenly see what they’re truly capable of.

Signs You’re Ready for Executive Coaching

Not sure if executive coaching is right for you? Here are some clear signs it’s time to take the leap:

 

• ✅ You’ve got big goals but keep stalling out
• ✅ Your to-do list keeps growing, but your “done” list isn’t
• ✅ You feel scattered, overwhelmed, or stuck on a plateau
• ✅ You’re leading a team but feel like you’re winging it
• ✅ You’ve outgrown your current strategies and don’t know what’s next
• ✅ You want to free up 5-10 hours a week for what really matters
• ✅ You’re ready to stop spinning and start moving

 

If you nodded yes to even two or three of those, executive coaching could be the missing piece for you.

 

Common Myths About Executive Coaching

Let’s bust a few myths that keep people stuck in skepticism:

Myth #1: “Coaching Is Only for Executives Who Are Struggling”

Truth: The best leaders hire coaches because they want to keep growing — not because they’re failing. Coaching is for people who are committed to becoming better.

Myth #2: “I Can Just Read Books and Watch YouTube Instead”

Truth: Books and videos are great. But they’re one-way. Coaching is a conversation. It’s personalized. It’s interactive. And it holds you accountable in ways content never can.

Myth #3: “It’s Too Expensive”

Truth: When you measure the ROI — the time saved, the goals achieved, the team you build, the business you grow — coaching pays for itself. Many of my clients see returns in months, not years.

Myth #4: “My Coach Will Just Tell Me What to Do”

Truth: A great coach doesn’t hand you answers. They help you find your own. The best breakthroughs come from your own insights, guided by the right questions.

 

How to Choose the Right Executive Coach

If you’re ready to give executive coaching a try, here’s what to look for:

 

1. Real-world experience. Look for a coach who’s actually led, built, or scaled something — not just studied it.
2. A proven framework. Great coaches don’t wing it. They have systems, processes, and tools that get results.
3. Chemistry. You’ll be sharing real things with this person. Make sure you click.
4. Accountability built in. Avoid coaches who are just cheerleaders. You want someone who’ll challenge you.
5. Clear outcomes. A good coach will help you define success and measure progress along the way.

 

At Laser Focused Life, that’s exactly the kind of coaching I provide. I combine real-world business experience as a business owner with proven leadership frameworks like SMARTER Goals and the C.O.N.N.E.C.T. Communication Framework to help leaders like you get unstuck and move forward.

 

So, Will Executive Coaching Help You Get to the Next Level?

Here’s my honest answer: Yes — if you’re willing to do the work.

 

It’s not magic. It’s not a quick fix. Your coach isn’t going to wave a wand and make your problems disappear.

 

But if you’re willing to show up, be coachable, and put in the effort, executive coaching can absolutely help you get to that next level.

 

I’m living proof. And I’ve watched it happen for client after client.

 

The real question isn’t will coaching work?

 

The real question is: Are you ready to stop spinning and start moving?

 

If the answer is yes, then it might be time to set the skepticism aside and find out what’s possible on the other side.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does executive coaching cost?

Executive coaching investments vary widely, typically ranging from $300 to $3,000+ per month depending on the coach’s experience and the program structure. The ROI usually far outweighs the cost when you commit to the process.

How long does executive coaching take to work?

Most clients see meaningful shifts within the first 90 days. Real, lasting transformation typically happens over 6-12 months of consistent coaching.

What’s the difference between executive coaching and business coaching?

Executive coaching focuses on developing the leader — mindset, communication, leadership skills, and personal growth. Business coaching tends to focus more on operational and strategic business issues. The best coaches blend both.

Is executive coaching only for big company executives?

Not at all. Today, executive coaching benefits small business owners, entrepreneurs, mid-level managers, and even ministry leaders. If you’re leading anyone — including yourself — coaching can help.

How do I know if I’m ready for executive coaching?

If you’re frustrated with where you are, clear about wanting more, and willing to take action, you’re ready. The biggest predictor of coaching success isn’t talent — it’s coachability.

Can executive coaching help with work-life balance?

Absolutely. Many of my clients come to me feeling overwhelmed and leave with systems that free up 5-10 hours per week for family, strategy, and the things that matter most.

 

Sources

1. International Coaching Federation. Coaching Statistics: The ROI of Coaching in 2024. Retrieved from https://coachingfederation.org/blog/coaching-statistics-the-roi-of-coaching-in-2024/

 

1. Anderson, M. C. (MetrixGlobal, LLC). Executive Briefing: Case Study on the Return on Investment of Executive Coaching. ICF Research Portal. Retrieved from https://researchportal.coachingfederation.org/Document/Pdf/681.pdf

 

1. McGovern, J., et al. Maximizing the Impact of Executive Coaching: Behavioral Change, Organizational Outcomes, and Return on Investment. The Manchester Review, Vol. 6, No. 1. Retrieved from https://researchportal.coachingfederation.org/Document/Pdf/268.pdf

 

Ready to Get Laser Focused?

If you’re done spinning your wheels and ready to actually accomplish the goals you’ve been carrying for years, let’s talk.

 

Visit LaserFocused.Life to schedule a FREE discovery call. Together, we’ll explore what your next level looks like — and how executive coaching can help you get there faster than you ever thought possible.

Because here’s what I know for sure: You’ve got more potential than you realize. You just need someone in your corner to help you unlock it.