Welcome to another episode of Don’t Do That! Today we’re talking about executive coaching. Is it a powerful leadership tool—or just expensive advice?

Executive coaching used to be something mostly reserved for CEOs and senior executives, but now you see everyone from new managers to seasoned leaders working with coaches to think through career decisions, leadership challenges, and big transitions. Some people swear by it. Others think it’s a professional development grift.

In this episode, we unpack what coaching actually is, when it can be helpful, and when it might not be worth the investment.

In this episode, we discuss:

What executive coaching actually looks like in practice
Why coaching has become more common in complex and virtual workplaces
How to tell if coaching is helping—or just validating bad ideas
Red flags that someone hired the wrong coach

Some key takeaways are:

Coaching works best when leaders are open to reflection and change—not just validation.
In fast-moving and distributed workplaces, coaching can create rare space for clear thinking and perspective.
Working with a culturally competent coach can broaden your aperture, helping you consider how identity, power, and context shape leadership decisions.
Coaching can support leadership growth, but it cannot fix structural problems inside organizations.

Resources:

2025 ICF Global Coaching Study https://coachingfederation.org/resource/2025-icf-global-coaching-study-executive-summary/
2024 HBR Global Leadership Study https://www.harvardbusiness.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/CRE5057_CL_TT24_Research-Findings_June24.pdf
HBR “What Can Coaches Do for You?” https://hbr.org/2009/01/what-can-coaches-do-for-you

If you enjoyed this conversation, we’d love to hear from you!

📩 Email us: thedontdothatpod@gmail.com

❤️ Follow: Connect with us on LinkedIn.
🎙 Subscribe: Follow Don’t Do That! on your favorite podcast platform.
⭐ Leave a Review: Your feedback helps boost the show and lets others know what to expect.
📢 Share: If you found today’s discussion insightful, pass it along to colleagues and friends!