Work With an Executive Coach in 2025 to Help You Reach Your Full Potential

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executive coachIn today’s high-pressure, fast-paced corporate world, executive leadership requires a unique combination of strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and personal resilience. As companies continue to face rapid change, complex challenges, and high expectations, the role of any professional has never been more demanding. For many leaders, the path to success can feel overwhelming, and even the most experienced professionals can benefit from guidance and support to navigate these obstacles. Executive coaching is a powerful resource for leaders who want to sharpen their skills, boost their performance, and develop a more balanced, sustainable approach to work, even if it really is the corporate Olympics.

Unlike traditional mentorship, which typically involves guidance from a senior leader in the same field, executive coaching is a structured, one-on-one process that is specifically designed to address the unique needs and goals of the individual executive.

By working with an executive coach, leaders gain a valuable partner in navigating the complexities of their roles and achieving both personal and professional growth. Every month in 2025 theglasshammer.com will publish career articles focusing on key areas that matter most, drawing from our expertise as coaches and learning professionals. If you’re interested in hiring us as your coach, please refer to the details at the end of the article.

The focus of executive coaching can vary depending on the client’s needs, but generally includes areas such as:

  • Leadership development
  • Decision-making and strategic thinking
  • Emotional intelligence and self-awareness
  • Conflict resolution and team dynamics
  • Wellness, balance and stress management
  • Communication and influence, including gravitas
Enhancing Leadership Skills

Many people are unsure of what a coach does, and the answer often depends on the coach’s experience, skills, and focus. A leadership coach, in particular, specializes in helping you gain a deeper understanding of your leadership style while partnering with you in finding strategies to enhance your effectiveness. For instance, you might work on:

  • Vision and Strategy: Executive coaches can help you refine your long-term vision and ensure your strategic decisions align with both short-term goals and broader organizational objectives.
  • Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: Leadership today requires a high level of emotional intelligence. An executive coach helps you become more attuned to your emotions and the emotions of others, leading to better team dynamics, decision-making, and communication.
  • Conflict Resolution: Navigating conflict is an essential skill for any leader. Coaches provide tools to address and resolve conflicts in a way that strengthens relationships and keeps teams moving forward.

By enhancing these and other leadership skills, an executive coach ensures you’re well-equipped to guide your team, make sound decisions, and manage complex challenges.

Developing Self-Awareness

Self-awareness is a cornerstone of effective leadership. To be truly impactful, leaders must understand their strengths, weaknesses, values, and behaviors. This is where an executive coach plays a pivotal role. Through deep, reflective conversations and assessments, coaches help you gain greater clarity on how you show up as a leader. They guide you in identifying:

  • Strengths and Blind Spots: Often, we are unaware of how our behaviors or leadership styles are perceived by others. A coach can help you recognize areas where you excel and areas where you may be limiting your effectiveness.
  • Personal Values and Leadership Alignment: Understanding your core values is critical for authentic leadership. A coach helps you align your actions and decisions with your values, which fosters trust, integrity, and authenticity within your team.
  • Behavioral Patterns: Coaching helps you identify recurring patterns of behavior, whether positive or negative, and understand how these affect your leadership effectiveness and relationships with others.

By becoming more self-aware, you can make more informed decisions, improve relationships, and enhance your impact as a leader.

Improving Communication and Influence

One of the most crucial skills for any executive is the ability to communicate effectively. Whether you’re addressing your team, managing stakeholders, or negotiating with clients, the way you communicate can significantly impact your success. An executive coach can help you:

  • Enhance Listening Skills: Effective communication isn’t just about speaking clearly; it’s also about listening deeply. Coaches work with you to become an active listener, which allows you to understand others’ perspectives, resolve conflicts, and build stronger relationships.
  • Refine Messaging: Whether you’re delivering a speech, writing a report, or making a pitch, your ability to convey your message clearly and persuasively is critical. A coach can help you tailor your communication style to different audiences and increase your influence.
  • Build Rapport: Trust is the foundation of any leadership relationship. An executive coach can teach you how to build rapport quickly, foster meaningful connections, and create a sense of camaraderie within your team.

Improved communication can help you inspire action, align teams, and influence key stakeholders, leading to better outcomes for both you and your organization.

Navigating Complex Decisions

Executives often face difficult, high-stakes decisions that impact not only their careers but also the direction of their organizations. The pressure to make the “right” decision can be overwhelming, especially when choices are complex and outcomes are uncertain.  An executive coach helps you navigate these decisions by:

  • Providing a Thoughtful, External Perspective: Coaches offer an objective, non-judgmental viewpoint that helps you step back and view problems from different angles. This external perspective can provide new insights that lead to better decision-making.
  • Clarifying Goals and Priorities: In times of uncertainty, it’s easy to lose sight of your goals. A coach can help you clarify your objectives and evaluate options based on how well they align with your long-term vision and values.
  • Helping Manage Risk: Executive decisions often involve balancing risk and reward. A coach helps you assess risks and make decisions that maximize benefits while minimizing potential downsides.

By helping you make more informed, strategic decisions, an executive coach ensures that you can confidently lead your organization through challenges and capitalize on opportunities.

Work-Life Balance and Stress Management

The demands of executive leadership can lead to burnout if not properly managed. Long hours, constant pressure, and high expectations can leave little time for personal care and relaxation. However, maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential for sustainable success. An executive coach helps you:

  • Prioritize Well-Being: Coaches work with you to identify areas where you can reduce stress and improve your work-life balance. They might suggest techniques for setting boundaries, managing time effectively, or delegating tasks.
  • Develop Resilience: Leading under pressure requires resilience. A coach can help you build mental and emotional resilience through mindfulness, stress-reduction techniques, and strategies for maintaining focus and clarity under stress.
  • Create Personal Routines: Routines that promote physical health, mental well-being, and personal satisfaction are key for balancing a demanding career. Coaches help you establish daily habits that support your overall health and performance.

By prioritizing well-being and stress management, you can sustain your leadership effectiveness while enjoying a more balanced, fulfilling life.

Accountability and Motivation

One of the most valuable aspects of executive coaching is the accountability it provides. Setting goals and making positive changes can be challenging, especially when juggling the demands of leadership. A coach acts as an accountability partner, keeping you on track and motivated.

  • Setting Clear Goals: Coaches help you set measurable, achievable goals that align with your personal and professional vision. Whether it’s improving leadership skills, navigating a career transition, or expanding your influence, having clear goals is essential for progress.
  • Tracking Progress: Regular check-ins with your coach allow you to track your progress, celebrate wins, and adjust strategies if needed. This accountability helps you stay focused on your long-term objectives.
  • Staying Motivated: An executive coach helps you stay motivated by reminding you of your goals and pushing you to reach higher levels of performance, even when challenges arise.
The Power of Executive Coaching

An executive coach provides invaluable support for professionals looking to enhance their leadership abilities, navigate complex decisions, improve communication, and achieve a better work-life balance. With personalized guidance, actionable strategies, and ongoing accountability, an executive coach helps you unlock your full potential and achieve sustainable success. Whether you’re an emerging leader or a seasoned executive, or a early or mid-level professional, coaching can elevate your performance and transform your career. We will support you and challenge you in equal measure- for all the right reasons.

Investing in an executive coach is an investment in your future, helping you become the leader you aspire to be while thriving both professionally and personally.

We have a cadre of coaches that specialize in different areas. Book Here for an exploratory call. Packages start at $2,500.

By Nicki Gilmour, founder and CEO of theglasshammer.com and executive leadership coach

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Alexandra Wilson-Elizondo: Partner, Co-Chief Investment Officer of Multi-Asset Solutions (MAS), Goldman Sachs Asset Management

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Alexandra Wilson Elizondo“I began my career as an individual investor. Now, I’m a manager of investors and of the processes that help enable us to invest at scale,” says Alexandra Wilson-Elizondo. “I’ve learned that if you’re going to be leading a very large platform, building infrastructure and frameworks is critical to the future success of the business.”

Wilson-Elizondo reflects on what makes her passionate about the financial industry, how she leveled up her leadership, and her commitment to growth for herself, her team, and the business.

From Adversity to Impact

Wilson-Elizondo’s professional journey is deeply intertwined with personal experiences that shaped her aspirations. Born into a family with roots in Argentina, Wilson-Elizondo learned early on how economic upheaval can have life-changing consequences.

“Growing up, I witnessed firsthand how when resources are not distributed appropriately, it can lead to really negative outcomes,” she recalls. “Seeing my family members’ savings go to zero overnight and not having access to funds—the trauma and impact that had on their lives—left an indelible impression on me.”

These early observations, coupled with her mother working in international trade finance, sparked Wilson-Elizondo’s drive to study economics in college.

“I wanted to get an understanding of how one can distribute resources in an economy for the benefit of multiple people and the broader society.”

However, the timing of her graduation from Haverford College—in 2008, during the global financial crisis—was less than ideal.

“I thought I’d graduate straight into a glorious job on Wall Street,” she admits with a laugh. Instead, Wilson-Elizondo’s first role involved answering calls from Spanish-speaking 401(k) participants seeking hardship withdrawals. “It was a challenging time, but it taught me invaluable lessons about saving, investing, and the real-life impact of economic downturns,” she says.

Wilson-Elizondo’s career steadily progressed. She honed her expertise in fixed-income markets and built a reputation for innovative investment strategies that benefitted both retail and institutional investors. Three years ago, she joined Goldman Sachs as Head of Funds and Models before rising to her current role as Co-Chief Investment Officer. Recently, she celebrated another milestone—becoming a partner at the firm.

Leveling Up

Wilson-Elizondo credits taking a long-term view and being resilient as the main attributes for success at work. She also advises professional women starting in their careers to have an entrepreneurial mindset.

“Build things, do not wait for people to assign things to you. Continue to constantly learn about what you’re interested in; being an expert is always a good thing, and it will help your career.”

She notes while sponsors are definitely in the mix and useful, it is also about being proactive in your career and not just waiting for someone to “pull you up” or for perfection to move ahead.

“Sometimes women can be focused on being perfect and not wanting to fail they don’t just go for it and see what can be learned in the attempt. It’s okay to not be perfect. As my mom likes to say, perfection is the enemy of good—you have to go for it.”

Networking Matters

For Wilson-Elizondo, networking is key—not only does it help build communities of support, but it can even lead to the next great opportunity, as it did for her in joining Goldman Sachs.

“This is a people business. I cannot impress enough the importance of having a network, but it’s not just about the quantity. The quality of the connections matter just as much.”

Wilson-Elizondo sees sponsors and mentors as an integral part of that network of support and emphasizes having a “personal board” to look to for guidance and opportunity.

“In each stage of my career I’ve heeded the advice to build my personal board. It’s thinking about who are the five or six people to go to for very critical decisions? Why are they on your board? Why do they keep a seat on your board, or do you rotate them? They can be a mix of mentors, sponsors, or just people whose opinions you trust.”

Supporting the Next Generation of Diverse Leaders

For Wilson-Elizondo, advancing in her career means more than personal success; it’s about paving the way for others. As a Latina in a leadership role at Goldman Sachs, not only in her day job but also across the firm’s Inclusion Networks, she prioritizes helping build a diverse pipeline of talent and guiding the next generation towards their goals. Wilson-Elizondo is proud to be a part of a partner class with the largest number of diverse promotes in firm history and seeks to help other diverse professionals across the firm navigate that path.

“Sometimes it’s about explaining what the criteria is,” she notes. “If people are working really hard but they’re not focused on the rubric they’re being evaluated against, you have this mismatch. As a mentor, I try to make sure people are setting goals, asking for consistent feedback and checking in with themselves to ensure that they understand what they need to focus on to grow and develop to the next level.”

As a strong advocate for visibility, Wilson-Elizondo emphasizes the importance of communication and presentation skills in professional settings. “Every micro-interaction matters. How you present yourself, how you deliver content, how you address your work product—it’s all part of the equation,” she says. She encourages others, especially those starting out in their careers, to take advantage of coaching and training opportunities to hone these skills.

Her own journey demonstrates the power of owning one’s unique perspective. “The best and most excellent teams are ones that accept different voices and aren’t echo chambers,” she asserts. “I continue to lean into having a different view, a different voice, because that ultimately leads to differentiated—and I believe better—outcomes.” For those who feel their perspectives are not valued, she offers candid advice: “If the team you’re on isn’t working, or they don’t see the value in what you bring, switch the team, change the option set.”

Guidance for Leadership

Wilson-Elizondo believes that effective leadership is about balancing vision with trust in your team. “You’ve got to manage down, not up. Set the vision and trust your team to deliver,” she advises.

She likens leadership to building a puzzle: “I’ll set the outline so my team has a clear vision on where we’re going and what we’re working towards, but I count on them to fill in the rest. As a leader, you can’t try to do everything yourself. You need to create exponential leverage by trusting your team.”

This trust, both in your team and in your own hard work and leadership, is especially critical in fast-paced industries. “Be confident and trust the work and analysis you’ve put into the decisions you’ve made.”

Committed to Growth

Wilson-Elizondo’s vision for the future is twofold: growing the assets she manages and mentoring the next generation of investment professionals. “One of the things that happened during COVID was that many places lost the apprenticeship model,” she explains. “People weren’t in the office watching trades get built or investment theses unfold. Rebuilding that has been a priority for me, and at Goldman Sachs more broadly where apprenticeship is embedded into our culture and how we develop talent at the firm.”

At the same time, she is deeply focused on her life outside of work, where raising three young children with her husband takes center stage. “My passions are my three kids and my husband right now,” she says. “We’re just inundated in baby and kids and fun stuff like that.”

While hobbies like reading and running take a back seat to a busy schedule and spending time with her family, Wilson-Elizondo embraces the reality of this season with humor and grace.

“If I tell you I have three kids, just made partner, and by the way, I have a million passions and interests, it’s misleading,” she admits. “This is life—these are the things I’m able to accomplish in a 24-hour day. Honesty is the best policy, but you can have both.”

Balancing the demands of leadership at work and home with an honest and forward-thinking perspective, Wilson-Elizondo is a leader committed to growth—professionally, personally, and for the next generation of investors that she’s dedicated to guiding.

By Jessica Robaire

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