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Coach on Tap
June 1, 2025Is it time to step into the executive space? Here’s how to know.
There comes a point in every experienced coach’s journey when the usual challenges feel too predictable, the transformations too routine, and the desire to create bigger impact starts to burn stronger. That’s usually the moment coaches begin to wonder: “Am I ready to coach executives?”
Executive coaching is often viewed as a high-stakes, high-reward arena—and it is. But it’s also one of the most fulfilling, dynamic, and intellectually challenging coaching fields available. It’s not just about coaching someone with a fancy title. It’s about partnering with decision-makers whose choices ripple across teams, companies, and industries.
So how do you know if you’re ready?
Let’s dive into the five powerful signs that you may be ready to work with senior leaders, C-suite executives, and high-performing professionals—and how to take the next steps to make it real.
Early in our coaching careers, working with clients who have “Chief” in their title or manage teams of hundreds can feel intimidating. But over time, something shifts.
You stop seeing the title.
You start seeing the human.
That’s the first sign.
You understand that executives—despite their authority—are still individuals navigating fear, uncertainty, imposter syndrome, difficult relationships, and high performance expectations. You feel comfortable holding space for them without shrinking yourself. You trust your tools. You’re ready to challenge them with respect and support them without coddling.
When titles no longer faze you, and you can sit as an equal partner in the room, you’re already walking the path of an executive coach.
Executive clients expect more than pep talks. They expect results. That means you must walk in with solid coaching skills—deep listening, powerful questioning, presence, and the ability to reflect patterns they can’t see themselves.
If you’ve completed your coach training, received certification (such as ICF ACC or PCC), and have at least 200 hours under your belt, you’re likely already equipped to hold high-impact sessions.
But it’s not just about checking boxes. It’s about fluency. You know when to push. When to pause. When to let silence do the work. You’ve reached the level where coaching is more than a script—it’s a craft.
Executive coaching requires you to bring that mastery into real-time problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and strategic thinking. And the good news? That’s all built on the foundational work you’ve already been doing.
Many entry-level coaching conversations focus on personal dilemmas or one-off decisions. But in the executive world, problems rarely exist in isolation. A leadership decision affects:
Team culture
Revenue streams
Stakeholder trust
Market positioning
Employee wellbeing
Long-term strategy
Executive coaches must understand how everything connects.
If you’ve started coaching with a systems mindset—asking not just “what” and “why” but “how will this choice impact your team/board/family?”—you’re operating at an executive level already.
In fact, the ability to zoom in and out—to coach on mindset and behavior and ripple effects—is one of the most valued traits of successful executive coaches.
Let’s be honest: coaching executives can be messy.
You’ll work with fast-moving leaders who may be under pressure, unsure of their next step, and juggling competing priorities. You won’t always get neat and tidy sessions. You’ll deal with urgency, complexity, and sometimes resistance.
But here’s the secret: the right coach thrives there.
If you’re the kind of coach who brings groundedness into chaos… who holds structure even when the client’s world is swirling… who can challenge with clarity instead of adding more noise—you’re made for this work.
Executive coaching isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about helping clients find their footing when the path isn’t clear.
Let’s circle back to the big “why.”
You’re not just coaching for emotional relief. You want to help shift company culture. You want to improve how leaders lead. You want to see transformation not only in your client, but in their team, their decisions, and their outcomes.
That’s executive coaching.
It’s for coaches who dream big—not for their own ego, but because they understand the power of leadership. They know that when one leader grows, hundreds (or thousands) benefit.
If you feel a deeper pull to work with people who shape organizations, this is your calling.
Recognizing you’re ready is the first step. But what does stepping into executive coaching actually look like?
At Coach on Tap, we created the Executive Coach Accelerator Program (ECAP) for this very reason. It’s a 6-month, immersive experience designed specifically for:
Coaches with at least 200+ hours of coaching experience
Coaches who are ICF-certified (ACC/PCC) or equivalent
Coaches ready to build real skills for working with senior leaders and C-level clients
Coaches who want mentorship, practicum hubs, and advanced techniques—not more theory
Through expert guidance, peer practice, and access to executive-level challenges, ECAP prepares you to step into the executive space with competence and confidence.
If you see yourself in these signs, you’re not just ready—you’re needed.
The executive coaching space needs more coaches who lead with integrity, curiosity, and empathy. Leaders at the top are often the most isolated, yet the most influential. The impact of great coaching at this level is massive.
So don’t let imposter syndrome stop you.
Don’t wait until you “feel” perfectly ready.
Trust the signs. Trust your growth.
And when you’re ready to make the leap—we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Deadline to apply: July 20, 2025
Program begins: August 1, 2025
