How do you find an executive coach? Start with the one thing you want to change at work. Then shortlist two or three coaches who’ve worked with people in roles like yours, and talk to each of them before you commit.
That’s the short version. Fit matters more than a fancy title or a famous client list.
But executive coaching can cost thousands of dollars, so it helps to know what you’re buying first.
Keep reading to discover:
- What an executive coach does (and doesn’t do)
- What executive coaching costs
- Whether it’s worth it, according to the research
- Where to find an executive coach and what to look for
- The questions to ask before you hire one
What does an executive coach do?
An executive coach works one-on-one with leaders to help them get better at their jobs. That could mean stepping into a bigger role, leading a team for the first time, communicating with more confidence, or breaking a habit that’s holding your career back.
Here’s the thing. You don’t need “executive” in your job title to hire one. Plenty of executive coaches work with new managers, directors and high-potential employees getting ready for their next step.
So why do people bring in an executive coach? In The Realities of Executive Coaching, a 2009 Harvard Business Review research report based on a survey of 140 executive coaches, coaches said they were most often hired to:
- Develop a high-potential manager
- Help someone through a transition, like a new job or a promotion
- Act as a sounding board on strategy or office dynamics
- Address a behavior that’s getting in someone’s way
Only about 3% said they were hired to work on issues outside of work. Executive coaching is mostly about your working life.
What working with an executive coach looks like
Every coach has their own process, but most engagements include some version of this:
- A starting point. Many coaches begin with an assessment, a personality or leadership tool, or feedback from people you work with.
- Clear goals. You agree on what you’re working on and how you’ll know it’s working.
- Regular sessions. These are often every week or two, by video or in person.
- Action and accountability. You try new things between sessions, then talk through what happened.
- Honest feedback. A coach sits outside your reporting line, so they can tell you what your boss or team might not.
Executive coach vs. leadership, career and business coaches
These titles overlap a lot. Here’s a quick way to tell them apart:
- Executive coach: Focuses on your performance and growth as a leader inside an organization.
- Leadership coach: Zooms in on leading people, like delegating, giving feedback and running a team. Many executive coaches are also leadership coaches. Here’s more on why people hire a leadership coach.
- Career coach: Helps you figure out your next move, change jobs or land a promotion. Learn more about what a career coach does.
- Business coach: Usually works with founders and business owners on growing the business itself. See what business coaching is.
One more thing. An executive coach isn’t a therapist. If stress or burnout has turned into something that feels like anxiety or depression, talk to a licensed mental health professional first. If you’re in crisis in the US, call or text 988 anytime.
How much does an executive coach cost?
Executive coaching is one of the pricier kinds of coaching. Here’s what the data says:
- Coaching in general: The 2025 ICF Global Coaching Study found coaches charge an average of $234 for a one-hour session. That covers all kinds of coaching, not just executive coaching.
- Executive coaching: In the Harvard Business Review survey, executive coaches’ rates ranged from $200 to $3,500 an hour, with a median of $500. That survey is from 2009, so treat it as a ballpark, not a price list.
- Length: The same survey found most engagements last seven to 12 months.
Many executive coaches sell packages rather than single sessions. A package might include a set number of sessions, an assessment and email support between calls.
What pushes the price up or down?
- How senior the people they coach are
- Their experience and credentials
- Whether assessments or interviews with your colleagues are included
- How often you meet and for how long
Who pays for executive coaching?
Many executive coaches are hired by companies for their leaders. So before you pay out of pocket, ask your manager or HR if there’s a coaching or professional development budget. Some companies also have a list of approved coaches.
Paying yourself? Ask coaches about shorter packages, payment plans or group programs. Just don’t pick the cheapest coach by default. A coach who doesn’t fit is money wasted, whatever the price.
Is an executive coach worth it?
For many people, yes. Executive coaching has more research behind it than most kinds of coaching, and the results are encouraging. Let’s look at what the studies found.
Client surveys. In the ICF Global Coaching Client Study, which surveyed 2,165 coaching clients in 64 countries, clients reported:
- Better self-confidence (80%)
- Better relationships (73%)
- Better communication skills (72%)
- Better work performance (70%)
Keep in mind that this study was commissioned by the International Coaching Federation, the results are self-reported, and the survey was done in 2008.
Independent research. Academic researchers have tested coaching more strictly, too.
- A 2014 meta-analysis in The Journal of Positive Psychology pooled 18 studies of coaching in organizations. It found positive effects on performance and skills, well-being, coping, work attitudes and goal-directed self-regulation (in plain English, setting goals and sticking with them).
- A 2023 meta-analysis in Academy of Management Learning & Education looked only at randomized controlled trials of workplace and executive coaching: 37 studies with 2,528 participants. It found a moderate positive effect. It also found signs of publication bias, and bigger effects when people rated themselves than when others rated them.
In short, coaching tends to help. It’s not magic, though, and your results depend a lot on you and the coach you choose.
When it’s worth it (and when it isn’t)
An executive coach is usually worth it when:
- You have a specific goal, like a new role, a bigger team or a skill you want to build
- You’re open to honest feedback, even when it stings
- You’ll do the work between sessions
- You’ve found a coach you trust
It’s usually not worth it when:
- Someone else is making you do it and you don’t want to
- You want someone to hand you the answers
- You need therapy, legal advice or a new job tomorrow
- The cost would put real strain on your budget
How to find an executive coach
Now that you know what you’re buying, here’s how to find the right coach.
1. Get clear on what you want to change
Write down one or two goals before you talk to anyone. “Get better at leadership” is a start. “Run better meetings and stop micromanaging my new team” is much easier to coach.
2. Ask your company first
If you work for an organization, start with HR. They may already work with coaches, have a budget, or know who’s helped other leaders in your company.
3. Ask people you trust for referrals
Colleagues, mentors and people in your industry are a great source. In the ICF client study, personal referrals were the most influential way people found their coach.
4. Browse a coach directory
A directory lets you compare a lot of coaches quickly. On CoachCompare, you can browse executive coaches, read their profiles and message the ones who look like a good match. Look for coaches who describe clients like you, in your industry or at your level.
5. Check their background
Anyone can call themselves a coach, and credentials are voluntary. But they do show a coach has invested in training. The best-known ones come from the International Coaching Federation (ICF):
- ACC (Associate Certified Coach): 60+ hours of coach training and 100+ hours of coaching experience
- PCC (Professional Certified Coach): 125+ hours of training and 500+ hours of experience
- MCC (Master Certified Coach): 200+ hours of training and 2,500+ hours of experience
Credentials aren’t everything. For executive coaching, experience with leaders like you matters just as much. Some executive coaches also spent years in leadership roles before they started coaching, so ask about that too.
6. Talk to two or three coaches before you hire
This is where a lot of people rush. In the ICF client study, 58% of clients hired the very first coach they contacted.
Many coaches offer a free consultation or “chemistry call.” Use it. Personal rapport and compatibility were among the things clients rated most important when choosing a coach, with 96% calling each one very or somewhat important.
Independent executive coaches often run booking, payments and contracts through a coaching platform like Paperbell, so you can schedule the call and sign an agreement online.
What to look for in an executive coach
When you’re comparing coaches, look at these five things:
- Relevant experience. Have they coached people at your level, in your kind of company? Coaching a first-time manager is different from coaching a CEO.
- Training and credentials. Look for coach-specific training, an ICF credential or a relevant background, and ask about it.
- Coaching style. Some coaches are direct and tell you what they see. Others mostly ask questions and help you reach your own answers. Think about which one you respond to.
- Logistics that fit your life. Session times, video or in person, and how you can reach them between sessions all matter when you’re busy.
- Chemistry. You’ll be honest with this person about your weak spots. You need to trust them.
Red flags to watch for
- Guaranteed results, like a promotion or a raise by a certain date
- Pressure to sign up on the first call
- A vague answer when you ask how they work
- No clear answer about confidentiality
Questions to ask an executive coach before you hire
Bring these to your consultation call:
- What kinds of clients do you usually work with? Listen for roles, industries and goals that sound like yours.
- What’s your coaching approach? Ask what a typical session looks like.
- What training and credentials do you have? Ask about coaching training and any leadership experience of their own.
- How will we measure progress? A good coach will want to define success with you.
- How long do you usually work with clients? Ask about session frequency and contact between sessions.
- If my company is paying, what do you share with them? The ICF Code of Ethics asks coaches to agree on confidentiality with everyone involved, including whoever pays, before coaching starts.
- What does it cost, and what’s included? Ask about package options and cancellation policies.
- Can I talk to a past client? Not every coach can share references, but testimonials or reviews from real clients help.
Well-known coaches to learn from
You probably won’t hire one of these names, but their books are a great way to see what good executive coaching looks like before you start.
- Marshall Goldsmith: One of the most famous executive coaches in the world. He’s the author of What Got You Here Won’t Get You There and the only person named the world’s top leadership thinker twice by Thinkers50. He stepped back from one-on-one coaching in 2018 to focus on writing, speaking and mentoring other coaches.
- Alisa Cohn: An executive coach who works with startup founders and CEOs. Her book From Start-up to Grown-up is about growing as a leader while your company grows.
- Michael Bungay Stanier: Author of The Coaching Habit, a short book built around seven coaching questions. It’s a handy way to learn what a good coaching conversation sounds like, so you’ll recognize one on a consultation call.
Executive coaches you can hire on CoachCompare
Want to start with real coaches you can message today? Here are two executive coaches with CoachCompare profiles:
- Nayla Bahri: An executive leadership coach who works with individual leaders and teams. According to her website, she spent 15 years as a dean of students at Columbia Business School, and she co-hosts The Inside Job podcast.
- Marvita Franklin: An executive coach with more than 30 years in leadership and talent development. She’s an ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC), works with executives, managers and military leaders, and offers a free consultation to see if you’re a good fit.
You’ll find many more on the executive coach directory.
FAQs about finding an executive coach
How do I find a good executive coach?
Get clear on your goal, ask HR and your network for referrals, and browse a coach directory. Then talk to two or three coaches and pick the one with relevant experience and a style you trust.
How much does an executive coach cost per hour?
It varies a lot. Across all kinds of coaching, the ICF’s 2025 study found an average of $234 for a one-hour session. Executive coaches usually charge more, and a 2009 Harvard Business Review survey found a median of $500 an hour.
How long do you work with an executive coach?
Most engagements last several months. The Harvard Business Review survey found most run seven to 12 months, and in the ICF client study, 73% of coaching relationships lasted a year or less.
Do I need to be an executive to hire an executive coach?
No. Many executive coaches work with new managers, high-potential employees and young professionals who want to move up. Ask the coach who they usually work with.
Will my company pay for an executive coach?
It might. Many executive coaches are hired by companies for their leaders, so ask your manager or HR whether there’s a budget for coaching or professional development.
What’s the difference between an executive coach and a mentor?
A mentor is usually someone further along in your field who shares advice from their own experience, often for free. An executive coach is a paid professional who helps you find your own answers and holds you accountable. Learn more about finding a mentor.
Are executive coaching sessions confidential?
They should be. The ICF Code of Ethics asks coaches to agree on confidentiality before coaching starts, including what, if anything, gets shared with a company that’s paying. Ask about it on your first call.
Find an executive coach who fits
Finding an executive coach comes down to three things: knowing what you want to change, checking a coach’s experience, and talking to a few before you choose. Do that, and you’ll give yourself the best shot at getting your money’s worth.
On CoachCompare, you can browse executive coaches, read their profiles, and message the ones you like before you commit. It’s free to compare profiles and message coaches! You can also explore leadership coaches if leading a team is your main goal.
Are you an executive coach? Paperbell gives you a simple coaching website plus scheduling, payments and contracts in one place, and you can start with a free account. You can also list your coaching on CoachCompare to reach new clients.
This post was originally published on May 3, 2023 and has been updated with new information for accuracy and comprehensiveness.