by Simon Bell
What does it take to thrive at the top? For many women in leadership, the answer includes one powerful tool: executive coaching.
More than ever, women are breaking barriers in boardrooms and redefining what leadership looks like. But with greater visibility comes greater complexity – from dealing with organizational politics to combating impostor syndrome, to managing transition and organizational change at the highest levels.
Executive coaching has emerged as a transformative lever, not just for performance, but for confidence, clarity, and sustained success.
In this post, we’re spotlighting three remarkable women leaders – each with distinct journeys – who leveraged coaching to unlock their full leadership potential. Whether you’re considering coaching for yourself or for someone on your team, their stories reveal what’s possible with the right support.
The Power of Executive Coaching: A Modern Leadership Tool
Executive coaching isn’t therapy or training – it’s a targeted, professional partnership that helps leaders achieve clarity, build resilience and lead with intention.
According to a study by the International Coaching Federation, 86 percent of companies report that they recouped their investment in coaching, and over 70 percent of individuals who received coaching reported improved work performance and communication skills.
For women in leadership especially, coaching provides a confidential space to explore challenges that are often complex and deeply personal – from advocating for themselves in the boardroom to managing identity and leadership style in male-dominated spaces.
Sara Davies MBE: Scaling a Business With Support
Coaching provides entrepreneurs and business leaders with the tools to handle growth confidently and sustainably.
Sara Davies MBE is the founder of Crafter’s Companion. She’s a familiar face in the U.K., known from her appearances on BBC’s Dragons’ Den (the U.K.’s version of Shark Tank). And she has openly credited executive coaching as a pivotal factor in her business success.
In one LinkedIn post, she shared her experiences of leadership coaching, saying of her longtime coach, Kirstie Garrett that she was:
“. . . my leadership coach, my mentor, a close friend, and hands down the person who has played the most pivotal role in my career development to date.”
And she’s paying that influence forward. Despite emphasizing that she is not a coach, she has nonetheless run motivational sessions for her own staff and leaders in other organizations.
Facing the challenges of rapid business growth and increased public visibility, Davies turned to coaching to gain strategic clarity and bolster her leadership capabilities. The guidance she received enabled her to make informed decisions, delegate effectively and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Sheryl Sandberg: Embracing Feedback and Continuous Learning
Embracing feedback through coaching can lead to personal growth and more effective leadership.
Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Facebook and author of Lean In, has long advocated for the importance of feedback and personal development in leadership.
In her commencement address at Tsinghua University, she emphasized:
“Give and get the feedback that you need . . . Feedback is a gift.”
Sandberg’s leadership philosophy underscores the value of seeking and embracing feedback – a core component of executive coaching. By fostering a culture of open communication and continuous learning, she has demonstrated how leaders can grow and adapt in dynamic environments.
Indra Nooyi: Building Legacy, Driving Transition
Coaching isn’t just for moments of crisis – it’s for managing transitions, crafting legacy, and planning what’s next.
As the former CEO and Chairperson of PepsiCo, Indra Nooyi led with vision and grit, transforming the company’s portfolio and positioning it for long-term growth. She said:
“If I hadn’t had mentors, I wouldn’t be here today. I’m a product of great mentoring, great coaching . . . Coaches or mentors are very important.”
Towards the end of her time at PepsiCo, Nooyi began defining her post-CEO legacy. As she points out in one interview, she has herself coached or mentored nine current CEOs. But many of those who had previously coached her were men. It’s time to see more women mentoring women.
Nooyi’s experience of coaching helped her process her transition, redefine her leadership outside of corporate life, and craft a meaningful second act with more focus on advocacy for, and mentorship of, women. Coaching offered her not just a sounding board, but a space in which to reinvent her organization, and herself – intentionally and with grace.
Not Just for CEOs: Coaching at Every Level
While these high-profile leaders shine a spotlight on what’s possible, executive coaching isn’t just for those at the top of the corporate ladder. You don’t need to be a CEO to benefit. Coaching is for anyone ready to invest in their own growth.
Consider a mid-level manager in a fast-growing fintech company. After struggling with delegation and team burnout, she might begin working with a coach to build trust, improve feedback conversations and clarify her leadership vision.
It’s the sort of scenario in which positive change can happen quickly. And if she can use the experience to helps develop others, the organization continues to benefit.
What Managers Can Learn from These Stories
Across all these stories, common threads emerge:
- Clarity. Coaching helps leaders focus on what matters – and eliminate distractions.
- Confidence. It builds the courage to lead authentically, even when it feels risky.
- Resilience. Coaching equips leaders to handle challenges with steadiness and resolve.
- Vision. It encourages long-term thinking, legacy-building, and continuous development.
If you’re a manager considering coaching, ask yourself: “Where am I growing, and where am I stuck? What might shift if I had expert support and space to reflect?”
And if you’re managing others, coaching may be one of the most high-impact development opportunities you can offer your team.
Could Coaching Be Your Next Step?
Executive coaching is not a luxury – it’s a strategy. Whether you’re embarking on a new leadership role, preparing for the next phase in your career, or simply feeling stuck, coaching can provide the mirror, the map and the momentum you need.
So, what would change for you if you had a coach in your corner?
If your organization offers access to coaching, now might be the perfect time to explore it. And if not – it’s worth asking why not.
After all, success isn’t just about working harder. Sometimes, it’s about getting the right support to work smarter – and lead stronger.
The Mindtools Content Hub contains a series of resources focusing on women in leadership. Take a look today!
