Picking an Executive Coach: 10 Questions to Ask!

The relationship between a coach and coachee is the single most important factor in predicting the success of a coaching engagement. Much like in therapy, trust is essential. Your leaders need to feel safe enough to be open and honest with someone they’ve just met—and that’s not always a given.

While many coaches use similar techniques (like asking thoughtful questions and practicing active listening), the real challenge is finding one who aligns with your leaders’ culture, needs, and lived experiences. That fit is what turns coaching from a check‑the‑box activity into a transformative experience.

That’s why we created this guide—a practical tool to help you navigate the process of selecting the right coach. Inside, you’ll find:

• The most important considerations when hiring a coach

• 10 essential questions to ask any coach

• Tips on what to listen for in their answers

These insights come from our work with thousands of leaders, along with first‑hand experience running and participating in a variety of leadership coaching programs.

Our goal? To help you approach the search with clarity and confidence, so when you choose a coach, you know you’re making an investment that will deliver the strongest return for your leaders and your organization.

📄 View the full guide here!

And if you’re curious about how NextArrow’s Leadership Performance Coaching could work for your team, reach out to set up a chat. Bonus points if you use the guide on us! 😉