What Is the Impact of Executive Coaching?

Executive coaching is one of the most talked about leadership investments... and one of the most misunderstood. Some leaders expect instant answers. Others assume coaching is reserved for executives who are struggling or underperforming.

To understand, let’s look at what coaching is and is not, what it actually DOES, and the return on investment you can expect.

What Is Executive Coaching, and What Does It Do?

The short answer is this:

Executive coaching doesn’t give leaders answers. It changes how leaders think, decide, and show up, especially when the stakes are high.

Well-coached leaders become more self-aware and develop stronger leadership “presence,” which, in turn, boosts their own effectiveness and career progress, improves team performance and engagement, drives organizational success, and strengthens credibility with the board and stakeholders.

A Metrix Global study found that executive coaching has a 788% return on investment (ROI) for the business, showing up in the form of productivity increases and retention gains. The International Coaching Federation reports organizations seeing a 50% increase in team performance and a 48% increase in organizational performance. These show up in enhanced work performance, improved collaboration, and increases in revenue and employee retention.

A Common Misconception About Executive Coaching

Misconception: “Once a leader is successful, they no longer need coaching.”

In reality, the highest return on executive coaching often comes from leaders who are already successful. At this level, performance gaps are less obvious, but the cost of blind spots, misalignment, or inconsistent leadership is magnified.

The most effective leaders use coaching to:

• Pressure-test their thinking
• Challenge blind spots
• Stay aligned as responsibilities expand
  

Coaching becomes less about growth gaps and more about sustaining excellence. Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Serena Williams, Richard Branson, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama all worked with coaches throughout their careers.

What Executive Coaching Actually Changes

1. How Leaders Think Through Complexity

Coaching sharpens a leader’s ability to slow down their thinking, recognize patterns, and evaluate tradeoffs more clearly. Instead of reacting, leaders learn to respond with intention.

This shift is especially powerful when answers aren’t obvious (and when decisions carry cultural, operational, or reputational weight).

2. Self-Awareness and Leadership Presence

Executive coaching helps leaders see how their behavior, communication style, and assumptions land on others.

That awareness often leads to:

• Higher leadership effectiveness & performance
• Increased team satisfaction, retention, and performance.
• Increased trust and credibility
• Greater promotability and career success.
• Stronger Organizational performance
• Significantly higher stock return rates
• Elevated employee engagement and organizational retention,
• Increased ROI and productivity gains.

And when self-awareness is increased across all leadership, we see:

The leader hasn’t changed who they are, but they’ve refined how they lead.

3. Consistency Under Pressure

Many leaders perform well when things are stable. Coaching helps leaders remain steady when things are not.

Through coaching, leaders develop habits that support:

• Emotional regulation
• Clear decision-making during stress
• Alignment between values and actions

Over time, that consistency becomes visible to the organization.

What Executive Coaching Does Not Do

Clarifying what coaching isn’t is just as important.

Executive coaching does not:

• Provide tactical solutions or step-by-step instructions
• Replace accountability or performance management
• Act as consulting, therapy, mentoring, or training
• “Fix” organizational problems on its own
  

Coaching isn’t about outsourcing thinking; it’s about strengthening your internal bench’s thinking.

How Leaders Get the Most Value from Executive Coaching

Leaders who benefit most from coaching tend to:

1. Enter with curiosity, not a checklist
2. Treat coaching as a thinking partnership
3. Commit to reflection between sessions
4. Apply insights in real leadership moments

Coaching works best when it’s viewed as an ongoing leadership discipline, not a short-term intervention.

What to Measure When Coaching Is Working

Unlike training programs, the impact of executive coaching shows up over time.

Organizations often see:

• Stronger decision clarity and speed
• Improved executive communication and influence
• Increased leadership confidence
• Greater alignment across teams, priorities and initiatives
• Higher engagement and retention within leadership teams.

These gains compound over time as improved leadership behaviors become embedded in how the organization operates.

Frequently Asked Questions About Executive Coaching

Is executive coaching only for leaders who are struggling?

No. Coaching is most effective when used proactively by capable leaders who want to stay sharp.

How is coaching different from mentoring?

Mentors share experiences and advice. Coaches facilitate thinking, awareness, and behavior change.

How long does executive coaching typically last?

Coaching engagements vary, but meaningful change usually requires consistency over several months.

Can coaching help during leadership transitions or periods of change?

Yes. Coaching is especially valuable during transitions, ambiguity, and increased responsibility.

A Final Thought

Executive coaching is not an expense justified by short‑term fixes. It is a leadership infrastructure investment—one that strengthens how decisions are made, how leaders show up under pressure, and how performance scales across the organization.

For organizations navigating complexity, growth, or change, coaching is not about adding something new. It is about ensuring the leaders who matter most are operating at their highest level—consistently, intentionally, and with measurable impact.

For leaders who are curious about what’s possible next (whether that’s refining their leadership approach, strengthening decision-making, or preparing for greater responsibility), executive coaching can be a powerful investment.

At Robertson Lowstuter, executive coaching is designed to meet leaders and their organizations where they are and support meaningful, sustainable leadership growth over time.