Why Work With an Executive Coach?
Space to Think
Outside Perspective
Practical Support
What Is Executive Coaching?
Executive Coaching is a confidential, one-to-one relationship that gives senior leaders dedicated time and support to work through the challenges, decisions and responsibilities that come with leadership.
Some leaders come to coaching with a specific issue. Others are looking for an ongoing thinking partner who can help them step outside the day-to-day, recognize patterns and consider situations from a different perspective.
Someone Outside the Organization Who Is Invested in Your Success
Senior leaders rarely have a shortage of people around them. What they may have fewer of are people with whom they can speak openly.
Some decisions aren’t ready for the leadership team. Sometimes the challenge involves the leadership team. You may be navigating competing priorities, a difficult relationship, organizational change or a decision where there simply isn’t an obvious answer.
And sometimes you need somewhere to think out loud.
Your Executive Coach isn’t caught up in the day-to-day dynamics of your organization. They can listen objectively, ask questions others may not ask and offer a different perspective.
Over time, your coach also gets to know you. They recognize patterns, remember the commitments you’ve made and can challenge you when the same issue keeps showing up
That combination of trust, outside perspective and continuity is at the heart of Executive Coaching.
What Can You Work on With an Executive Coach?
Executive leadership doesn’t follow a set curriculum, and neither does our Executive Coaching.
Some leaders know exactly what they want to work on. Others start with a broader goal, a recurring challenge or simply a sense that something needs to change. Your coach helps you uncover what’s important and identify where to focus.
Over time, the conversation evolves as you do.
Think More Strategically
Step away from immediate demands to work through priorities, opportunities and complex decisions. Coaching creates room to question assumptions, consider different perspectives and get clearer about where your attention is needed most.
Lead People More Effectively
Work through communication, delegation, accountability, conflict and relationships. This might include micromanaging, preparing for a difficult conversation, developing other leaders or changing how you work with your leadership team.
Understand Your Leadership Impact
Recognize patterns and blind spots, understand how your behaviour affects others and make more intentional choices about how you lead.
Create Greater Alignment
Consider what your team and organization need from you. Coaching can help you clarify priorities, communicate direction, strengthen accountability and create greater alignment around what needs to happen next.
Navigate Change and Complexity
Growth, transition and change rarely come with a perfect roadmap. Coaching gives you somewhere to work through uncertainty, consider the implications of different choices and determine what comes next.
TRUSTED BY LEADERS LIKE YOU:
"From an Executive Coaching and Consulting perspective, Priscilla Bahrey and the X5 Management team have been instrumental in both my personal growth and Envirotech's business development. We've consistently had a great experience working with their team and will certainly continue to refer X5 Management to others whenever the opportunity arises. "
How Executive Coaching Works at X5
Start With the Right Coach
Coaching is personal. You need to trust the person across from you, feel comfortable being candid and know they’re willing to challenge you when needed.
We start with a Coach Match Meeting so you can meet a potential coach, understand their approach and determine whether the fit feels right before moving forward.
Identify Where to Focus
You don’t need to arrive with a perfectly defined coaching goal.
You may have a specific challenge you want to address, or you and your coach may uncover priorities through your early conversations. Together, you’ll identify where coaching can make the greatest difference and revisit that focus as your role and circumstances change.
Meet Regularly
Most X5 Executive Coaching clients meet with their coach twice a month or monthly.
Coaching conversations balance what’s happening now with the bigger themes you’re working on. Sometimes an immediate issue needs attention. Other times, your coach may bring you back to a goal, pattern or commitment from an earlier conversation that is worth exploring further.
Put It Into Practice
The value of coaching extends beyond the conversation.
You may try a different approach, have a conversation you’ve been avoiding, change how you delegate, make a decision or follow through on a commitment. Your next coaching conversation provides an opportunity to reflect on what happened, what you learned and what comes next.
Certified Coaches Who Understand Business and People
The right credentials matter. So does real-world experience.
X5’s Executive Coaches combine professional coaching credentials with experience leading, managing and working within organizations. They understand both the human side of leadership and the business realities behind the decisions leaders make.
Sometimes the most useful thing a coach can do is ask a better question. Other times, it may be to challenge your thinking, share an observation or offer a perspective based on their experience.
It’s practical coaching grounded in real-world leadership challenges.
Get to Know Our Coaches
Choosing a coach is personal. Experience and credentials matter, but so does finding someone whose approach feels right. Hear directly from the people you may be working with.
Our coaches regularly share their perspectives on leadership, the challenges leaders face, and how they approach coaching. Our short video series gives you an opportunity to hear directly from the people you may be working with.
Meet Priscilla Bahrey
Executive Coach at X5 Management
Meet Jason Donkersgoed
Executive Coach at X5 Management
Meet Jessica Derksen
Executive Coach at X5 Management
How Long Does Executive Coaching Last?
X5 Executive Coaching begins with a minimum 90-day commitment.
Most leaders meet with their coach either twice per month or once per month, depending on the level of support and accountability they’re looking for.
There is no standard end date. Some leaders work with a coach for six months around a particular challenge or transition. Others continue for several years as their responsibilities, organization and priorities evolve.
The coaching relationship continues as long as it is creating value.
What Does Executive Coaching Cost?
The cost of Executive Coaching with X5 is based primarily on how often you meet with your coach.
Most clients choose either monthly or twice-monthly coaching. We’ll talk with you about what you’re looking for, recommend an approach and provide clear pricing before you decide to move forward.
All Executive Coaching engagements begin with a minimum 90-day commitment.
What Can You Expect From Executive Coaching?
Success looks different for every leader because the work is connected to your priorities, leadership and organization.
Depending on what you’re working on, Executive Coaching may help you:
Coaching works best when you’re willing to be candid, consider different perspectives and put what you learn into practice.
Which Type of Coaching Is Right for You?
| Executive Coaching | Leadership Development Coaching | Business Coaching | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Designed for | Executives and senior business leaders | Leaders from emerging to executive | Business owners |
| Primary focus | Leadership decisions, challenges, relationships and responsibilities | Intentional development of leadership capabilities | Leadership and the challenges of owning and running a business |
| Approach | Flexible, collaborative and responsive | Built around X5's Leadership Development Competencies | Responsive to the owner and the needs of the business |
| Duration | Ongoing based on need, with a 90-day minimum | Defined 4-, 6- or 12-month programs | Based on the owner's needs and goals |
| Best fit when | You want an ongoing thinking partner as you lead | You want to intentionally develop specific leadership capabilities | Your challenges as a leader are closely connected to your role as an owner |
There can be overlap. An executive may choose Leadership Development Coaching when structured development is the priority. A business owner may benefit from Executive Coaching when their primary focus is their own leadership.
If you’re not sure which approach fits, we’ll help you work through it.
TRUSTED BY LEADERS LIKE YOU:
"X5 Management’s Executive and Leadership Coaching has been a game-changer for our leadership team. Their insights and ongoing support have strengthened how we lead and work together, and 2024 was one of our best years on record. We would recommend X5 without hesitation."
What Leaders Ask Most Often
What does an Executive Coach do?
An Executive Coach provides a confidential thinking partner for senior leaders. They ask thoughtful questions, challenge assumptions, help identify patterns and blind spots, and create accountability for action.
At X5, coaching is also practical. When it adds value, your coach may share an observation, experience or perspective to help you consider a situation differently.
Will my Executive Coach give me advice?
Sometimes. Executive Coaching isn’t consulting, but that doesn’t mean an experienced coach needs to withhold a useful perspective.
Your coach may share an observation, idea or experience when it adds value. At other times, asking the right question or challenging your thinking may be more useful. The approach depends on what will best support the conversation.
Do I need to know what I want to work on before starting Executive Coaching?
No. Some leaders begin with a specific goal or challenge. Others know something needs attention but aren’t sure where to start.
Your coach can help you recognize patterns, clarify priorities and determine where to focus. Those priorities can evolve throughout the coaching relationship.
How do I know if I need an Executive Coach?
Executive Coaching may be worth exploring if you’re carrying significant leadership responsibility and would benefit from a confidential outside perspective.
You may be navigating a difficult decision, relationship or transition, facing a recurring leadership challenge, or simply finding there are fewer people with whom you can speak candidly. You don’t need to be struggling to benefit from coaching.
Is Executive Coaching confidential?
Yes. Confidentiality is fundamental to the coaching relationship.
When an organization sponsors Executive Coaching, expectations around confidentiality and any involvement from the organization are discussed and agreed upon at the beginning.
How long does Executive Coaching last?
X5 Executive Coaching begins with a minimum 90-day commitment. Most clients meet with their coach monthly or twice per month.
There is no standard end date. Some leaders work with a coach for six months around a specific priority or transition, while others continue longer as their responsibilities and challenges evolve.
What is the difference between Executive Coaching and Business Coaching?
Executive Coaching at X5 is primarily for executives and senior business leaders. The focus is on the decisions, relationships, challenges and responsibilities that come with leading within an organization.
Business Coaching is designed for owners, where leadership is often closely connected to ownership, growth, operations and the direction of the business.
There can be overlap. We’ll help you determine which approach best fits what you’re trying to achieve.
What is the difference between Executive Coaching and consulting?
Consultants are typically engaged to bring specialized expertise, recommendations or solutions to a business challenge.
An Executive Coach works alongside you as you think through leadership challenges and decisions. They may share experience or perspective when useful, but the relationship is primarily focused on strengthening your thinking, awareness and leadership.
If the issue calls for more direct business expertise, advisory or consulting support may be more appropriate.
Is Executive Coaching worth the investment?
The value of Executive Coaching looks different depending on the leader and what they’re working on. It may show up in a better decision, a difficult conversation handled differently, greater delegation, clearer priorities or a leadership pattern that changes over time.
Coaching tends to provide the most value when you’re willing to bring real challenges into the conversation, consider different perspectives and put insights into practice.
When might Executive Coaching not be the right fit?
If you primarily need specialized expertise or someone to solve a defined business problem, consulting or advisory support may be more appropriate.
If your goal is structured development across specific leadership capabilities, Leadership Development Coaching may be a better fit. If your challenges are closely connected to owning and operating your business, Business Coaching may be the better starting point.
Our goal isn’t to put you into a coaching program. It’s to understand what you need and whether X5 is the right fit to support it.
Experience Executive Coaching Before You Commit
Choosing an Executive Coach is personal.
Credentials and experience matter, but so does whether you can have a candid, productive conversation with the person across from you.
That’s why X5 offers a Coaching Test Drive.
Bring something real you’re working through. Experience a coaching conversation, meet the coach and decide whether the relationship feels right before making a commitment.