Executive Coaching in 2025: From Hidden Tool to Leadership Power Move

A recent conversation with Dr. Brian Underhill, founder of CoachSource, explored how executive coaching has evolved, emerging as a core leadership strategy in today’s high-pressure, tech-driven workplace.

Executive Coaching: Once Niche, Now Necessary

Coaching used to be something companies turned to when a leader was struggling. Now, it’s a strategic investment. Increasingly, organizations are recognizing the importance of developing confident, capable leaders who drive culture and achieve lasting impact.

Why Coaching Works Better Than Training

While traditional leadership training often pulls leaders away from their work, coaching happens in context. Leaders receive guidance as they navigate real-time challenges, making it more relevant, applicable, and sustainable. It’s why coaching is often described as “stickier” than formal training, and why organizations are prioritizing it more than ever.

What’s Driving Growth?

Coaching continues to grow despite economic uncertainty and budget tightening in some industries. When one leader improves, the ripple effects are felt across teams, departments, and even entire companies. It's a high-ROI investment, and leaders are seeing the returns.

How to Stand Out as a Coach in 2025

The coaching field is growing fast, but it’s also more competitive than ever. Dr. Underhill shares that companies are looking for coaches who:

• Build a strong rapport
• Bring real business experience
• Specialize in key areas like executive presence, communication, or team
  dynamics

Niche expertise is one of the biggest differentiators. “Don’t be everything to everyone,” Underhill says. “Be the go-to expert in something, and make sure people know it.”

The Future: AI, Team Coaching & Smart Specialization

AI tools are beginning to complement coaching, providing nudges, tracking progress, and offering post-session insights. But when it comes to high-level executive development, trust, nuance, and confidentiality still require a human touch.

Team coaching, meanwhile, is seeing a sharp rise. As more companies focus on team dynamics and psychological safety, group development will become just as important as one-on-one work.

The Takeaway

Executive coaching has matured into a strategic pillar of leadership development. Whether serving as a coach, HR leader, or executive decision-maker, the time to invest in high-impact coaching strategies is now.

👉 Watch the full interview with Dr. Brian Underhill here.