What’s Your ROI for Executive Coaching?

Lisa W. Haydon 

Today’s executives are navigating rapid change, competing priorities, and high-performance expectations in an increasingly complex and human-centric world. Executive coaching must meet senior leaders where they are—with pragmatic insight, customized strategies, experiential stories and measurable outcomes. 

Leadership today isn’t just about driving results; it’s also about how you show up in relationships, lead under pressure and build trust. We help leaders master Relational Intelligence, which is the ability to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics with authenticity, adaptability and intention. This human-centric capacity is essential for influence, alignment, today’s workforce and achieving results. 

You Play a Vital Role in Your Coaching ROI 

You have important work responsibilities when engaging with an executive coach. The potential for meaningful outcomes sits at the intersection of what feels comfortable and what stretches you. Your best results come from your mindset and effort. 

When I meet potential clients, I often ask about their experience with coaching. The responses tend to fall into two categories: they loved it, or they didn’t see the value or outcomes. When it’s the latter, their feedback often centers on the coach, not their own role in the process. 

This is where I set clear expectations for working with me. If someone is aligned to a goals-centric, performance-enhancing coaching experience, where they embrace discomfort and engage with openness, they’ll likely hire me. I aim to shift how they experience coaching, and show them what’s possible when it’s done right. 

Advice for a Transformational Coaching Experience 

Here’s where to start.  

• Embrace Your Growth Mindset (Is Your Mind Set or Do You Have Mindset?) 

• Be disciplined in your focus on your vision and goals 

• Trust your coach and the approach they bring to your journey 

• Prioritize coaching sessions. That time is a strategic investment 

• Show up prepared with what you want to discuss 

• Commit to your action plans. Practice the approaches and behaviours 

• Focus on long-term success, not just quick wins 

Meaningful change takes time. 

As in all great relationships, success depends on a strong foundation. Your mindset and actions will shape the relationship with your coach, and the results you achieve. Coaches say yes to working with you because they see you as coachable.

Now it’s time to focus on how you show up and follow through. 

9 Ways to Maximize Your ROI from Executive Coaching 

1. You hired a coach for the right reason(s) 

• There’s something important you haven’t yet achieved 

• You’re being asked to lead through organizational change 

• You have more leadership potential to give your team 

• You need to assess your options and create a plan 

• Your performance has plateaued, and you want more 

• You value having an accountability partner 

• You want a thought partner 

• Your long-term goals feel undefined or overwhelming 

• You feel energized and motivated when you talk to your coach 

2. You have trust

You build a coaching relationship anchored in trust. You’re open to discussing all aspects of your leadership and work. If you have boundaries, your coach knows what they are. You don’t question confidentiality, and you know your coach is committed to helping you succeed. 

3. You’re excited by potential and possibility

You feel energized by the opportunity to realize a new goal or outcome. You own the process and look forward to every session. 

4. You know what you want

You’ve co-developed a plan for your coaching goals. For clients I work with, we set clear goals and measure success. 

5. You set the agenda

You come to each session with a meaningful topic. You control how we use the time, the outcome you want and the direction we take. 

6. You show up fully engaged

Your goals for each session:

1. Realize self-discovery

2. Establish achievable goals

3. Determine a course of action

4. Are empowering so you can act 

7. You give feedback

This is a high-leverage, often overlooked aspect of ROI. If something isn’t landing, say so. If something resonates, let your coach know. It’s a safe space to give and practice feedback. 

8. You follow through and follow up

Each session ends with an action plan. Your job? Prioritize it. Do what you say you want to do. Execution is where goals succeed, or fall short. 

9. You track progress and success

Keep notes. Review often. Measure against your goals. Celebrate the wins. It’s important to acknowledge how far you’ve come. 

Start with Insight: The Power of a Baseline 

Before we begin coaching conversations, I recommend starting with a leadership assessment. We use both the Pivotal Leadership Diagnostic (PLD) and TAIS to create a baseline. 

• Pivotal Leadership Diagnostic: A momentum building, five-page diagnostic that identifies how you currently lead. It delivers a clear 1–3 item focus action plan. 

• TAIS: A deeper view into your performance under pressure and your attentional inventory. 

  
  

While assessments vary by engagement, they accelerate coaching by grounding it in data, not assumption. For overloaded leaders, this prioritization creates clarity, focus and confidence right from the start. 

Final Word 

“Executive coaching is where performance and potential meet. I care deeply about helping leaders succeed because when the right insight meets the right action, transformation happens.” 

— Lisa W. Haydon 

Executive coaching is a strategic advantage. It creates space to think, strengthens how you lead and relate to others, and supports you so you can put leadership into action with clarity and confidence. With the right coach, and a focus on outcomes, the return isn’t just professional growth—it’s measurable leadership impact.