10 Best Executive Coaches You Need to Know

Recent data shows that the number of executive coaches practicing worldwide today is between 71,000 and 5,500,000. Given these large numbers, choosing a suitable executive coach is not the easiest task.

That’s why we have compiled a list of the 10 best executive coaches you will find around. These coaches have strong records and undeniable results to back these claims.

Read on as we unveil them.

TL;DR – 10 Best Executive Coaches

Here is a quick summary of the 10 best executive coaches:

1. Cherie Silas
2. Alex Kudinov
3. Marshall Goldsmith
4. Liz Bentley
5. John Matonne
6. Michael Bungay Stanier
7. Hsiang-Yi Lin
8. Dr. Margie Warrell
9. Jacqueline Farrington
10. Marcy Alstott

At Tandem Coaching, we offer customized executive coaching solutions for senior leaders like you. 

Guided by Cherie Silas, our programs are tailored to meet your needs, offering solutions that transform your leadership and impact your organization. Contact us today, and let’s work together to get your desired results.

What is an Executive Coach? What Does an Executive Coach Do?

As a director, CXO, or high-profile manager striving to be your best version, you need someone with proven experience who can show you how to lead with results. This is what an executive coach can do for you.

An executive coach is an expert who works with executives like you, partnering to improve your performance, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and help you handle workplace challenges.

A professional executive coach wears many hats, from encouraging you to take bold steps to holding you accountable for your commitments. Here are some of the coach’s responsibilities:

• Provides a safe space for you to discuss sensitive issues, helping you overcome professional challenges discreetly
• Tracks your progress and holds you accountable, ensuring the completion of goals
• Questions your assumptions and challenges you to see new perspectives
• Builds stronger communication and team management skills in you
• Collaborates with you to create concise goals and objectives
• Helps you maintain a functional work-life balance
• Improves strategic thinking and decision-making

Benefits of Engaging with an Executive Coach

An executive coach provides both personal and professional benefits, improving individual and organizational performance. 

Here are some of the essential benefits of executive coaching:

• Improved leadership
• Increased confidence level
• Increased rate of goal achievement
• Increased retention rate and employee engagement
• Resilience and adaptability in the event of a change

Criteria for Choosing the Best Executive Coaches

To select the right executive coach for your needs, here are some essential criteria to consider:

1. Alignment of values: Confirm that your personal and professional values align with that of the coach. A coach’s values are reflected in the coaching approach, and if misaligned, it can negatively affect the entire coaching experience.
2. Success records: A successful coach will have a good coaching record on display. Review past client cases and testimonials to learn the coach’s patterns and results.
3. Expertise and experience: Look out for coaches who are experts in the industry and have experience in your chosen niche. For instance, if you are in the finance sector, your coach should have a background and relevant experience in finance-related coaching to effectively understand your needs.
4. Credentials: Every professional coach must be recognized by the right organization, like the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC). Having an executive coach certification is essential as it shows a commitment to providing the best quality of service.
5. Adaptability: A great coach is flexible, and in this industry, flexibility is pertinent as changes are bound to occur. Avoid rigid coaches who lack proactivity and are stuck with only their perspectives.

Top 10 Executive Coaches in the World

In the executive coaching industry, there are some top names that are widely known for their success and impact. 

Here is a list showing the top 10 executive coaches in the world:

1. Cherie Silas

With over two decades of experience in corporate leadership and executive coaching, our founder, Cherie, is a renowned executive coach. She aims to invest her knowledge and expertise to help people reach their defined destination of success personally and professionally. 

She is widely known for her ability to create tailored coaching programs that address clients’ unique needs. 

Cherie has attained some noteworthy certifications like:

• ICF Credentialed Master Certified Coach (MCC)
• Certified Enterprise Coach (CEC)
• Certified Team Coach (CTC) with Scrum Alliance. 

Some of Cherie’s outstanding achievements include:

• Ranked among the top 3.7% of over 56,000 credentialed coaches worldwide
• One of only 215 Accredited Coaching Supervisors with EMCC worldwide
• Named #16 most influential coach 2022 by Global Gurus
• The development of the famous ASPIRE model, a framework used globally to enhance leadership and organizational impact. 

She also co-authored a book, Enterprise Agile Coaching, which helped thousands of leaders around the world. 

Discover how our executive coaching solutions at Tandem Coaching can transform your leadership journey today.

2. Alex Kudinov

With over 25 years of experience in executive coaching, Alex is widely known as an expert in this field. He holds multiple certifications, including Master Certified Coach (MCC) from the International Coach Federation (ICF) and Certified Enterprise Coach (CEC) from the Scrum Alliance.

Alex collaborates with Tandem Coaching to offer effective coaching and training services to executives worldwide. He is known for solving complex challenges effectively by integrating human and business knowledge. 

He believes that all clients are creative and resourceful and only need the right support to realize their potential.

3. Marshall Goldsmith

Dr. Marshall Goldmith is recognized globally as an executive coach. He is celebrated for his impact on the industry, which has attracted several awards. He is the co-founder of the Marshall Goldsmith Group, where he works with over 150 CEOs and their teams.

Dr. Goldsmith is the author of 31 books, 2 of which are bestsellers. The Wall Street Journal recognized him for his big leaps in the leadership field. He pioneered the 360-degree Feedback in Leadership Development, an approach that is widely used by coaches.

4. Liz Bentley

Dr. Liz Bentley is an eminent executive coach, known across the globe for her effective coaching methods. She focuses on uncovering blind spots and helping leaders realize and maximize their potential.

Dr. Bentley has been featured in many renowned publications, including The New York Times, displaying her enormous influence in this industry. She emphasizes the place of emotional intelligence in leadership and incorporates this in her coaching approach.

5. John Matonne

John Matonne is the founder of John Matonne Global (JMG). He has coached high-profile names like Steve Jobs and Roger Enrico and is the author of 10 books, 5 of which are bestsellers.

John Matonne pioneered the Intelligent Leadership (IL) philosophy, a now widely used approach for leadership development. He has also developed some executive coaching assessment tools, including the Mattone Leadership Enneagram Inventory (MLEI). 

6. Michael Bungay Stanier

Michael Stanier is a renowned executive coach known for his practical coaching methods. He is the founder of a unique coaching company called Box of Crayons and wrote a best-selling book, The Coaching Habit, which has sold over 700,000 copies. 

Mr Stanier has trained over 10,000 managers worldwide. One of his notable contributions is the development of the ‘seven essential coaching questions, ‘ an approach used by executive coaches globally. 

7. Hsiang-Yi Lin

Hsiang-Yi Lin is an esteemed executive coach with over a decade of experience in the field. She founded MKMB Consulting, a transformational firm for leadership development and executive training.

Lin takes a distinctive approach to executive coaching, wielding effective communication and collaboration as a tool for growth in every organization. 

8. Margie Warrell

Dr. Warrell is a prominent executive coach with over two decades of experience in coaching and leadership development. She is a senior partner at Korn Ferry and an author of five reputable books.  

Margie’s executive coaching prowess has earned her attention from major media firms like CNN and Bloomberg, as well as lecture invitations from prestigious institutions like Columbia University. Dr. Margie is big on the principles of courage and resilience, which she incorporates into her executive coaching strategies.

9. Jacqueline Farrington

With two decades of experience in executive coaching and leadership, Jacqueline stands tall in the industry. She is the founder and president of Farrington Partners, specializing in communication skills for top-profile leaders. 

Jacqueline’s book has won an award, and she has coached high-profile executives at Microsoft and Amazon. Her coaching approach focuses on strategic presence, providing practical tools to help leaders develop confidence. 

10. Marcy Alstott

Marcy Alstott focuses on executive coaching for startups. She is an accomplished coach with over three decades of experience in the tech industry. Marcy also has a particular interest in executive coaching for women in leadership positions. 

According to Marcy, authentic self-awareness is a key to effective leadership, so she focuses on helping executives recognize blind spots.

How to Find an Executive Coach

A pivotal step in enhancing your leadership abilities is finding the right executive coach. 

Now that you have decided to employ the expertise of an executive coach, here is how you can go about finding an executive coach:

• Understand your goals: First, you want to take some time to clarify your objectives. What are you looking to achieve through executive coaching? This answer will guide your choice of a coach.

• Conduct research: You can check our list of the best executive coaches. Check their experiences, specializations, offerings, reviews, and testimonials to see if they are a good fit for your current needs. Also, check to see that they have the proper credentials. A certified executive coach demonstrates a commitment to standards, which reflects their coaching approach.

• Leverage free consultation services: Tandem Coaching offers a free initial consultation. You can use this to learn about our approach and offerings and see if our methods resonate with you before you eventually make a choice. When you book a free consultation, we will conduct a needs assessment and craft a suitable program for your specific needs. 

• Proceed with your chosen coach: Once you have decided to hire Tandem Coaching, your personalized leadership journey will commence. Our coaches are fully committed to your growth and improvement.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about executive coaching and their answers:

How Does Executive Coaching Differ from Other Types of Coaching?

Executive coaching targets senior leaders, CXOs, Managers, CEOs, and other top leaders in a firm. 

Other coaching types usually target a broader audience, including leaders and aspiring leaders.

How Long Does it Typically Take to See Results from Executive Coaching?

The success timeline differs depending on factors such as your goals, specific challenges, and swiftness of response to the coach.

According to one study, it takes around 6-12 months to see long-term, transformational results.

What Should You Expect During the First Session with an Executive Coach?

The first session is a foundational meeting, and this is where the tone for the entire session is set. Here is what happens;

• Establish trust and build a rapport between both parties
• Set goals and objectives for the session
• Discuss confidentiality and other policies applicable during sessions
• Complete a brief assessment or questionnaire

How Much Does an Executive Coach Cost?

The cost of executive coaching varies depending on the kind of service offered and the credentials of the executive coach. Typically, more experienced coaches charge higher, and direct contracts are less expensive than corporate coaching arrangements.

Cost is a good consideration when choosing an executive coach, but we highly recommend you invest generously into executive coaching, keeping in mind that value is a better consideration.

Conclusion – Top Executive Coaches

Executive coaching is a transformational experience, especially when you choose the right coach.

At Tandem Coaching, we have professional coaches who are fully invested in your improvement as a leader. We are your thought partners for that big organizational shift you envisage. 

Let’s work together to meet your goals. Contact us today.