Everything you have wanted to know about executive coaching—but perhaps never thought to ask.
Whether you are considering executive coaching for yourself or for someone in your organization, these answers will help you understand how coaching works, what you can expect, and whether it is the right investment for your leadership journey.
About Executive Coaching
What is executive coaching?
Executive coaching is a confidential professional partnership that helps leaders strengthen their leadership effectiveness, improve decision-making, navigate complex challenges, and continue growing both professionally and personally.
Unlike consulting, executive coaching is not about someone else solving your problems. It is about helping you discover your own best solutions through thoughtful conversation, practical insight, and objective perspective.
Who benefits from executive coaching?
Executive coaching benefits leaders at every stage of their careers, including:
- CEOs and Presidents
- Senior Executives
- Directors
- Managers
- Newly Promoted Leaders
- Business Owners
- Human Resources Professionals
- Government Leaders
- Healthcare Leaders
- Educational Leaders
- High-Potential Employees
- Professionals preparing for greater leadership responsibilities
What kinds of issues can coaching help with?
Executive coaching can help with:
- Leadership development
- Executive presence
- Strategic thinking
- Difficult conversations
- Conflict resolution
- Team development
- Employee motivation
- Communication
- Organizational change
- Decision-making
- Career development
- Work-life balance
- Burnout prevention
- Succession planning
- Building trust
Is coaching only for people who are struggling?
Not at all.
Many of the most successful leaders seek coaching because they are committed to continuous improvement. Executive coaching is just as valuable for high performers preparing for greater responsibility as it is for leaders facing significant challenges.
The goal is growth—not crisis management.
Is executive coaching confidential?
Absolutely.
Confidentiality is fundamental to every coaching relationship.
Leaders need the freedom to discuss difficult situations honestly, explore ideas openly, and test important decisions without concern that those conversations will be shared.
Trust creates the environment where meaningful growth becomes possible.
Working with Grant Fairley
Why choose Grant Fairley?
Clients choose Grant because they value a trusted advisor who listens carefully, asks thoughtful questions, provides practical insight, and creates a comfortable environment where leaders can think clearly and confidently.
Since 1994, Grant has coached leaders in business, government, healthcare, education, and not-for-profit organizations throughout Canada.
His coaching reflects a whole-person approach—helping clients strengthen not only their leadership effectiveness but also their relationships, resilience, purpose, and long-term success.
Will you tell me what to do?
No.
Executive coaching is not about giving instructions or making decisions on your behalf.
Grant’s role is to help you think more clearly, examine options objectively, challenge assumptions, and discover the path that best fits your values, responsibilities, and leadership goals.
The objective is not to create dependence on a coach. It is to help you become an increasingly confident, capable, and wise leader.
What makes your coaching different?
Grant believes leadership begins with the person.
Technical skills matter. Business knowledge matters. But lasting leadership is built upon character, relationships, wisdom, purpose, and continuous learning.
That whole-person philosophy shapes every coaching conversation.
Do you work with individuals or organizations?
Both.
Many clients invest personally in their own leadership development.
Others are sponsored by their employer as part of leadership development, succession planning, executive transition, or organizational change initiatives.
Each coaching engagement is tailored to the individual and the organization.
Coaching Process
How are coaching sessions conducted?
Executive coaching is delivered virtually through secure Zoom or telephone sessions.
This allows leaders throughout Canada—and internationally—to receive confidential coaching without the time and expense of travel.
Many clients appreciate the flexibility and convenience while finding the coaching relationship just as personal and engaging as an in-person meeting.
How long are coaching sessions?
Most coaching sessions are approximately 60 minutes.
Occasionally, shorter sessions may be appropriate depending on the client’s needs and circumstances.
How often do clients meet with you?
Most clients meet every two to four weeks.
The schedule is determined by your goals, responsibilities, and leadership priorities.
How long does coaching continue?
Every coaching relationship is unique.
Some engagements focus on a specific transition or leadership challenge. Others continue over a longer period as part of ongoing leadership development.
The duration is determined by your objectives—not by a predetermined program.
Do you provide assessments?
Where appropriate, leadership and behavioural assessments may be incorporated into the coaching process.
Assessments are used to encourage insight and discussion rather than to label individuals.
Fees & Engagements
What does executive coaching cost?
Every coaching engagement is tailored to the individual, the role, and the organization’s objectives.
Following an initial confidential conversation, Grant will recommend a coaching approach based on your goals, leadership responsibilities, and desired outcomes. A clear proposal outlining the coaching process, schedule, and investment will then be provided.
Whether you are investing personally or your organization is investing in your leadership development, the objective is to create exceptional value and measurable results.
Can organizations retain you to coach multiple leaders?
Yes.
Organizations often retain Grant to coach executives, senior leaders, emerging leaders, and high-potential employees.
Leadership coaching can also support organizational change, succession planning, leadership transitions, and executive development initiatives.
Do you coach outside Canada?
Yes.
Although Canadian Executive Coaching is proudly based in Canada, coaching can be provided virtually to English-speaking clients internationally.
Philosophy
What is your philosophy of executive coaching?
Leadership is about more than achieving results.
It is about becoming the kind of leader others trust, respect, and want to follow.
Grant believes executive coaching should strengthen the whole person—not simply improve workplace performance.
Better leaders build better organizations. Better people build better leaders.
The goal is to help leaders grow in confidence, wisdom, character, relationships, and purpose so they can positively influence the people and organizations they serve.
Still Have Questions?
Every leadership journey is unique.
If your question has not been answered here, Grant would be pleased to discuss your situation during a confidential introductory conversation.