Audacious Act #5: Invest in Your Future—Hire an Executive Coach
By Stevi Gable Carr
Founder and CEO
WISe Wellness Guild
Who challenges your assumptions?
Elite athletes understand the transformative value of coaching. Serena Williams, Tom Brady, and Simone Biles all worked with coaches long past the point where they had mastered their disciplines—not because they were uncertain, but because they understood that greatness requires guidance. Coaching provides feedback loops, strategic insight, and accountability that self-driven performance often lacks.
Leaders in business, nonprofits, and public service face similar challenges. They navigate ambiguity, juggle complex stakeholder needs, and often carry the emotional weight of organizational outcomes. Yet many delay investing in themselves, believing executive coaching is reserved for crisis moments or underperformance. This mindset is not only outdated—it’s a barrier to thriving leadership.
This is your audacious invitation to proactively invest in your future.
Hiring an executive coach isn’t about fixing weaknesses—it’s about unlocking potential. A coach sharpens your clarity, surfaces blind spots, and holds space for the bold questions you’re not asking yourself. They challenge you to lead in alignment with your values and ensure that your success is sustainable—not built on burnout.
According to the Harvard Business Review, executive coaching consistently improves leadership effectiveness, communication, and team engagement. In fact, a survey conducted by the International Coaching Federation found that 86% of companies that invested in coaching reported a positive return on investment, and 70% reported improved work performance, relationships, and communication.
Consider Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft. When he took over leadership, one of his first decisions was to embrace coaching as a personal growth strategy. His emphasis on emotional intelligence and listening reshaped Microsoft’s internal culture, and he credits coaching with helping him lead from empathy rather than authority (Inc).
Photo of Satya Nadella
Courtesy of Microsoft.com
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3 Ways You Can Find an Executive Coach:
As the founder of WISe Wellness Guild, I’ve had the honor of advising high-performing leaders across industries who are ready to build success that actually feels good—and lasts. My approach integrates business strategy with whole-person well-being, because I believe sustainable leadership starts from within. If you’re curious about what coaching might look like for you, I’d love to connect. You can learn more about me at Stevi.me or other WISe-approved coaches at WISe Wellness Guild’s partner page.
Ask Your Network: Reach out to colleagues, mentors, or professional peers you trust. A recommendation from someone who understands your goals can help you find a coach who aligns with your leadership style and values.
Search on LinkedIn: Use LinkedIn to explore executive coaches by filtering for experience, certifications, and testimonials. Many coaches share thought leadership content, making it easier to get a feel for their philosophy before reaching out.
I’ve witnessed coaching’s transformative power in my own work. One executive client, leading a global division, initially hesitated to work with a coach, fearing it would signal inadequacy. What she discovered instead was that coaching gave her the tools to navigate high-stakes decisions with composure, align her leadership style with her personal values, and cultivate a high-performing, collaborative team. Within six months, she had increased productivity across her unit by 30% while reducing her weekly hours by prioritizing strategic delegation.
Coaching also supports leaders in managing personal wellbeing. A study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology found that executive coaching increased self-awareness, resilience, and perceived quality of life in senior leaders. This is especially relevant as burnout rates among executives reach record highs. In a 2022 Deloitte survey, 70% of senior leaders reported seriously considering leaving their jobs for roles that better support their mental health.
The audacious truth is this: great leaders don’t wait for burnout to seek support—they invest in their potential before the cracks appear.
Actionable Steps:
Research and shortlist three certified executive coaches this week. Look for those with experience in your industry or leadership stage. Schedule a discovery call with each and ask how they approach accountability, goal-setting, and wellbeing integration. Choose the one whose method challenges you the most.
Join our upcoming cohort. A group summer coaching cohort with Stevi launches in July 2025. Inquire about this special 6-month group coaching experience designed to ignite your clarity, confidence, and calling here: https://bit.ly/CoachingCohort2025. Space is limited.
Great leaders invest in support early and strategically.
Schedule a Discovery Call
True leadership is not a destination—it’s a journey that begins with a single, courageous step. That step often starts with a conversation—one where you’re ready to explore your challenges, opportunities, and growth areas.
By scheduling a discovery call, you’re not just taking the first step toward greater leadership—you’re committing to a deeper understanding of how your unique values and vision can shape your impact. This conversation is the key to unlocking your full potential, aligning your actions with your goals, and creating the kind of leadership that drives meaningful change.
Let’s connect and begin building the future of your leadership today.
