What Executive Coaching Actually Looks Like (And Why It’s Not Just for Corporates)

by Sean Foster | October 20, 2025  | Business Coaching

You might hear "executive coaching" and picture suits, skyscrapers, and boardroom jargon. But the reality is far less corporate and far more personal. Especially here in New Zealand, where business owners like you wear many hats and the line between work and life is often blurred, executive coaching can be one of the most practical and grounded tools available to you.

So What Is Executive Coaching, Really?

Executive coaching isn't about being told what to do. It’s about having a space to think clearly, challenge your own assumptions, and explore different ways forward. At its core, it’s a partnership focused on your decision-making, leadership, and mindset: the things that often make or break your business.

You might be dealing with team frustrations, growth plateaus, or the weight of being the one everyone relies on. Executive coaching helps you step back and see things from a new perspective, without someone pushing their agenda.

It's Not Just for CEOs of Corporates

While the term "executive coaching" might sound exclusive, it’s increasingly used by business owners of all sizes. Whether you're leading a 5-person team or overseeing a multi-site operation, you’re still navigating decisions that affect people, money, and long-term direction.

Here in Aotearoa, many business owners are blending personal values with business decisions. That makes executive coaching especially relevant. It’s not just about KPIs and margins. It's about aligning your business to your life and getting clear on what actually matters.

For help figuring out what deserves your attention right now, we’ve created a guide on how to cut through the noise and decide what to focus on—without second-guessing yourself. You can read it here: How to Decide What to Focus on in Your Business, Without Second-Guessing.

How Executive Coaching Helps Business Owners

While the term "executive coaching" might sound exclusive, it’s increasingly used by business owners of all sizes. Whether you're leading a 5-person team or overseeing a multi-site operation, you’re still navigating decisions that affect people, money, and long-term direction.

Here in Aotearoa, many business owners are blending personal values with business decisions. That makes executive coaching especially relevant. It’s not just about KPIs and margins. It's about aligning your business to your life and getting clear on what actually matters.

For help figuring out what deserves your attention right now, we’ve created a guide on how to cut through the noise and decide what to focus on—without second-guessing yourself. You can read it here: How to Decide What to Focus on in Your Business, Without Second-Guessing.

How Executive Coaching Helps Business Owners

According to the Harvard Business Review, half of CEOs express feelings of isolation, and 61% of them believe it negatively affects their performance. This isn’t just a corporate problem—it’s something many business owners in New Zealand also quietly carry.

It's not uncommon for leaders to be critiqued or second-guessed by their teams, which over time can lead to increasing isolation. Executive coaching offers a safe, confidential space to explore sensitive, nuanced decisions with a neutral sounding board. That kind of support can ease the mental burden and help you lead with more confidence, clarity, and calm.

• Decision-making clarity: Instead of reacting to what's urgent, you learn to focus on what truly moves the needle.
• Leadership development: You grow your ability to influence, guide, and develop your team—without having to micro-manage.
• Personal effectiveness: You find better ways to use your time, protect your energy, and show up as your best.
• Accountability without pressure: You stay on track without being boxed into someone else's system.

If you're curious about practical tools that support executive coaching outcomes, we've compiled a list specifically for New Zealand business owners. Check out our article Leadership Executive Coaching Tools That Every NZ Business Owner Should Use for insights you can apply right away.

Executive Coaching vs Business Coaching: What's the Difference?

Business coaching often focuses on strategy, metrics, and implementation. Executive coaching leans more into mindset, leadership, and internal clarity. That said, they can overlap.

The best coaching meets you where you’re at. If you need to work on your team culture, financial structure, or succession plan, the right coach will help you address all of it through a mix of practical tools and powerful questioning.

Signs You Might Be Ready for Executive Coaching

• You're making big decisions and want a sounding board.
• You’re growing but feeling more overwhelmed, not less.
• You’re craving time to think, not just do.
• You're not sure what you want from your business anymore.
• You feel like you're "doing all the right things" but still feeling off.

If any of that resonates, it might be time to create space for reflection and clarity.

As Forbes highlights in their article Executive And Leadership Coaching Transforms Organizations, leadership coaching has the power to shift not only individual performance but entire company cultures. The piece emphasises how coaching fosters greater alignment, resilience, and strategic decision-making, proving its value across industries and business sizes.

It's Not Therapy, It's Not Consulting, It’s You With Support

Executive coaching isn’t about fixing you. It’s about bringing out more of who you already are—the version of you that can lead, decide, and grow with confidence. It’s structured, but not stiff. Reflective, but practical. And always grounded in what matters most to you.

Book a Free Executive Coaching Session

Curious whether executive coaching is right for you? Book a free 30-minute consultation with Sean to talk it through. No pressure, no commitments—just a conversation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is executive coaching only for large companies?
Not at all. In New Zealand, many small and mid-sized business owners use executive coaching to gain clarity, develop their leadership, and find a more sustainable path forward.

How is executive coaching different from business mentoring?
Mentoring often involves advice from someone who’s been there before. Coaching is more about helping you think, decide, and act more effectively on your own terms.

What can I expect from my first session?
You can expect a no-pressure, confidential space to talk about what’s on your mind and explore what support might actually be useful for you.

How long do people usually work with a coach?
It varies. Some work with a coach for a few months through a transition. Others keep that relationship going as a long-term source of clarity and perspective.