Executive Coaching: Costs, 70 30 Rule, Certification and Training
Executive coaching gives senior leaders a structured place to think clearly about decisions, people and change. This article explains what executive coaching is, how fees usually work, what the 70 30 rule in coaching means and how certification and training options fit in for people who are considering coaching as a career.
NMS Consulting provides executive coaching and leadership support for clients. It does not act as a university, training school or certification body for coaches and does not endorse any specific executive coaching masters or executive coaching certification provider. Examples of study paths are for information only.
Executive coaching in brief
- Executive coaching is a series of focused conversations where senior leaders bring real work topics and a coach helps them think, choose and act more deliberately.
- Fees vary widely and are best viewed in terms of the total program cost and expected benefits rather than a single hourly rate.
- People who wish to become executive coaches often look at executive coaching training, executive coaching masters programs and executive coaching certification online, although in many countries certification is not a legal requirement.
Short answer: what executive coaching is and why leaders use it
Executive coaching is one to one support for senior leaders. In each session the leader brings current decisions and situations. The coach asks questions, offers observations and helps the leader plan how they will act. Organizations use executive coaching when they want leaders to step into new roles faster, handle change more calmly and improve the way they work with teams and boards.
What executive coaching involves
Executive coaching is different from mentoring or training. Mentors offer advice from their own path. Training usually teaches skills to a group. Executive coaching focuses on how a leader is thinking and behaving right now.
In a typical executive coaching engagement:
- The leader and sponsor agree goals such as leading a change program, improving stakeholder relationships or preparing for a promotion.
- The coach gathers information through discussion, sometimes with selected feedback from colleagues.
- Sessions take place every two to four weeks for several months, often online for convenience.
- The leader tests new approaches in real meetings between sessions and returns to reflect on what worked.
NMS Consulting uses executive coaching as part of wider support on strategy, change and performance, so that coaching helps leaders apply consulting work in day to day decisions.
How much should you pay for an executive coach
There is no single correct fee for executive coaching. Prices depend on coach experience, market rates, sector focus and whether you are paying personally or as an organization.
Factors that influence executive coach cost include:
- Experience with senior roles at a similar level and scale.
- Professional background and any specialist focus such as turnaround, mergers or cross cultural leadership.
- Location and normal corporate rates in that region.
- Delivery format, whether online only or mixed with in person sessions.
- Extras such as assessments, stakeholder interviews or access between sessions.
Many providers sell executive coaching as a package, for example six to twelve sessions over six to twelve months. When comparing offers it is helpful to look at the total program cost, what is included and how clearly results will be checked rather than focus only on an hourly rate.
What is the 70 30 rule in coaching
The 70 30 rule in coaching is a simple guideline for who speaks when. Around 70 percent of the conversation belongs to the client, who explains what is happening, thinks out loud and reaches decisions. Around 30 percent belongs to the coach, who uses questions, reflections and summaries.
This rule matters because it keeps the focus on the leader’s thinking rather than on coach speeches. If a coach is talking most of the time, they are probably advising instead of coaching. Good executive coaching still allows space for challenge and clear feedback, yet it keeps the leader in the seat of the person who is solving their own problems.
Why there is no single number one executive coach
Search results and awards sometimes claim that one person is the world number one executive coach. In reality there is no single accepted league table. Rankings differ by geography, client type and methodology.
For a leader choosing a coach, a better question is who is the right coach for this situation. Helpful checks include:
- Have they worked with leaders at similar scale and in similar conditions.
- Can they describe clear examples of how clients changed behavior and results.
- Do their ethics, confidentiality rules and style feel safe and direct.
- Is there a good balance of challenge and support in the sample conversation.
A less famous coach who suits your needs and style may be more effective than a widely marketed name who does not.
Do you need certification to be an executive coach
Most countries do not treat executive coaching as a regulated profession in the way that medicine or law are regulated. That means you usually do not need a specific license to call yourself an executive coach.
Even so, certification is increasingly valued. Many organizations prefer to hire coaches who have:
- Completed a recognized executive coaching training program.
- Logged a stated number of coaching hours.
- Committed to a code of ethics and supervision.
People who wish to become executive coaches often consider options such as executive coaching masters degrees, executive coaching certification online, intensive executive coaching training or study paths at institutions like Harvard Online or specialist providers such as the Center for Executive Coaching. These programs differ in depth, cost and focus, so it is important to check content, credibility and how employers view the qualification.
Certification does not guarantee that a coach will be effective, yet it signals investment in learning and structure and can make it easier for clients to compare offers.
Training paths, degrees and online executive coaching courses
People moving into executive coaching often arrive from senior roles in business, consulting, human resources or psychology. Training choices then help them turn that background into a repeatable coaching practice.
Common paths include:
- Executive coaching masters programs at universities that combine coaching skills, leadership theory and research.
- Shorter executive coaching certification courses that align with professional bodies and include supervision.
- Online executive coaching courses and executive coaching certification online that allow people to study around existing work.
- Specialist providers such as the Center for Executive Coaching and other schools that focus purely on coaching skills and tools.
When assessing any program it helps to ask:
- What level of previous education or experience is expected.
- How much practice and feedback you will receive with real clients.
- Whether the program helps you build a business model if you plan to coach independently.
- How employers and corporate buyers view the qualification in your target markets.
NMS Consulting does not deliver executive coaching certification or executive coaching masters programs. Its work focuses on coaching leaders inside client organizations rather than training new coaches.
Practical checks when choosing an executive coach
Whether you are an individual leader or selecting coaches for a company pool, a small number of checks can improve outcomes.
- Clarify what you want coaching to help with, such as a transition, a change program or a series of decisions.
- Ask coaches how they work, how they handle confidentiality and how they measure progress.
- Review their training, any executive coaching certification and previous roles.
- Hold a sample session and notice whether you feel both supported and challenged.
- Agree practical points such as schedule, fees, cancellation rules and how sponsor feedback will be handled.
Executive coaching is a personal service. Selecting carefully at the start usually matters more than small differences in session length or rate.
Further reading on executive coaching and training
For more detail on executive coaching standards and education, readers sometimes refer to independent material such as:
Frequently asked questions about executive coaching
How much should you pay for an executive coach?
Fees vary with coach experience, region and scope. Many organizations look at the overall program cost, the number of sessions and what is included, then compare that with the value they expect from better decisions, smoother transitions or stronger teams.
What is the 70 30 rule in coaching?
The 70 30 rule is a reminder that clients should speak for most of the session. Around 70 percent of speaking time belongs to the client and 30 percent to the coach. This keeps attention on the client’s thinking rather than on coach speeches.
Who is the world’s number one executive coach?
There is no single accepted answer. Instead of searching for one top name it is usually more helpful to look for a coach with relevant experience, solid references and a style that fits you and your organization.
Do you need certification to be an executive coach?
In most places certification is not a legal requirement, yet many buyers prefer coaches with training and credentials. Programs such as executive coaching masters degrees, executive coaching certification online and other executive coaching training can help coaches build skills and signal professionalism.
