There are many reasons to consider becoming an executive business coach, including the desire to help others grow, develop, and achieve long-term goals. 

There is no single path to becoming an executive coach; however, all successful business coaches combine personal business experience, education, excellent communication and analytic skills with good entrepreneurial business sense. 

“Executive coaching is a good career path for those who have a desire to help others develop and achieve long-term objectives. There are many different ways to become an executive coach, though all paths involve a combination of education, experience and specific skills.”

Source: Indeed.com 

5 Reasons to Become an Executive Coach

There are many reason to consider becoming an executive business coach. Some leaders wish to switch gears and step away from the role as a top-level executive while still pursuing a challenging, fulfilling career path. Others are looking for a part-time option while still maintaining their primary business role. 

1. Leave a legacy that has lasting impact 

2. Work with the most competitive, growth-minded CEOs

3. Remain in a challenging position 

4. Use your knowledge, experience and expertise to shape and help others 

5. Develop better awareness and personal growth in both you and your clients 

6. Executive coaches are highly respected and dignified among peers and in social circles 

RELATED: 12 Reasons to Pursue the Executive Coaching Career Now 

 Do You Have What It Takes? 

 Growing a successful executive coaching career requires a certain level of experience, tangible and intangible skills, and character traits. Here are the most sought-after qualities of a great coach:

You are an experienced business leader. 

On a fundamental level, you understand business.  You’ve walked the walk enough to talk the talk. 

You have great listening skills. 

You are an excellent communicator across all levels, and you have great interpersonal skills, including that of being an active listener. You know that the only way to help someone is if you truly understand them, and you can only understand them if you openly engage in dialogue that pulls out the right answers and information. 

You’re not afraid to deliver the hard truth and hold CEOs accountable. 

You don’t just tell a CEO what they want to hear; you give them honest, research-based objective feedback and you are sure to keep them accountable to their goals and standards. 

You’re creative and innovative when it comes to objectives and goal setting. 

You can come up with both proven and outside-the-box ways of taking your clients to the next level in both personal development and business growth. 

You can accurately assess a leader’s strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for growth.

You have a strong sense of self-awareness to be able to analyze an individual’s strong points and areas for growth, and you follow through using bold action and proven methods. 

You are compassionate and supportive even through difficult times. 

CEO’s often feel lonely and isolated, as it’s difficult for them to find peers who can relate to their unique challenges and struggles. You have the ability to be both a source of strength as well as a solid support system and empathetic ear. 

In your heart, you are an entrepreneur.  

This new leg in your career is essentially a sole proprietorship. You should feel confident enough to take on all of the roles of your new business with passion, enthusiasm and curiosity. 

DON’T FORGET: You need to have the financial runway to launch the business. 

And while not necessarily a skill or trait, make sure your available capital is enough to sustain the launch of your new business endeavor. Plan well enough to be able to get yourself up and running efficiently before you have the clientele to sustain the business. 

Go more in-depth into these areas with the Vistage 8-Point Checklist to Become an Executive Coach. 

Learn more about becoming a Vistage Chair.