Relational support for senior leaders in complex roles
Introduction
I’m a partner at TC Group, a top-20 accountancy and advisory firm. Alongside 30 years in leadership, I coach CEOs and senior leaders. I trained at Ashridge (Hult International Business School), one of Europe’s most respected coaching institutions.
What the Evidence Shows: Coaching Works
Executive coaching has moved from luxury to necessity. In an increasingly complex environment, leaders need a confidential, high-trust space to reflect, grow, and act.
A landmark meta-analysis by Theeboom et al. (2014) shows that coaching significantly improves goal attainment, leadership effectiveness, and psychological well-being. Jones et al. (2016) similarly found strong links between executive coaching and improvements in performance, work engagement, and resilience.
Professor Erik de Haan, one of the foremost coaching researchers, offers a deeper insight. In Essentials of Executive Coaching (2021), he notes that across multiple studies, the coaching relationship itself is the single strongest predictor of success—not the model, tool, or technique. “There is overwhelming evidence,” he writes, “that the working alliance accounts for more outcome variance than any specific method used” (de Haan, 2021, p. 42).
A longitudinal study by Smither et al. (2003), tracking over 1,000 senior leaders, showed that those who received coaching were rated more positively by both supervisors and direct reports. The biggest gains? Receptiveness to feedback, goal clarity, and overall effectiveness.
Relational Coaching: Why Relationship Matters Most
Relational coaching builds from this evidence. Rather than offering prescriptive advice, the coach enters a reflective partnership with the leader—creating a space of safety, curiosity, and challenge.
In my practice, this approach consistently enables leaders to:
- See beyond immediate pressures
- Reconnect with purpose and values
- Navigate complexity with more confidence
- Strengthen their impact across teams and stakeholders
These shifts are not transactional—they lead to sustainable behavioural change and deeper leadership maturity.
Coaching and Membership Growth
For membership organisations, the leadership challenge is uniquely complex. High stakeholder expectations, lean resources, and mission-driven goals place immense pressure on senior teams.
Relational coaching supports membership leaders to:
- Lead with clarity through change or ambiguity
- Align culture and mission to strategic delivery
- Build trust and effectiveness across the senior team
- Make better decisions that deepen member engagement
Put simply: stronger leadership leads to stronger membership. When leaders are more connected to their values, more confident in ambiguity, and more intentional with culture—they create the kind of organisations people want to belong to.
Pro Bono Coaching Offer – Limited Availability
I’m currently offering six pro bono executive coaching sessions (value: £6,000) to a small number of CEOs or senior leaders within the MemberWise network.
If you’re curious about what coaching might unlock for your leadership—or how it could support you through your current challenges—I invite you to a no-obligation chemistry call in the next two weeks. Contact me.
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