Executive coaching is one of the most researched and evidenced leadership development interventions available. Below you will find both the independent research, drawn from the most credible sources in the field, and the data from my own coaching practice. Numbers matter. So does what people actually say about the experience.
“The most common answer to ‘what would you improve?’ is nothing.”
Of surveyed clients gave positive feedback on their coaching
Said they would recommend coaching with me to others.
Agreed coaching helped them achieve what they set out to
Individual clients coached
Paid coaching hours delivered
“I am more productive and have greater clarity over how to prioritise work. Greater willingness to accept uncertainty and take risks when it comes to decision-making.”
Before/after scores:
Overall score: 10/10
“From the start of the process, Jasmine created a comfortable and safe environment. I cannot imagine working with a better coach than Jasmine.”
Nick was promoted during the coaching programme.
“Jasmine is a fantastic coach and has helped me massively with my development and career progression.”
“I have experienced professional coaching previously but this has felt entirely different in terms of speed of results and impact.”
“I have seen monumental change in my daily working and personal life. I cannot recommend Jasmine enough – she will change your life!”
“In just one call, she helped me get unstuck, organise my thoughts, and see a better way forward in my business. I left the session feeling motivated, supported and like I actually have a plan I can stick to.”
This is what the independent evidence tells us about the impact of executive coaching on individuals and organisations. All statistics are sourced from peer-reviewed research or studies commissioned by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the most credible sources in the field.
Executive coaching consistently delivers a significant return on organisational investment. The ICF and PwC Global Coaching Client Study (2009, covering 64 countries) found that 86% of organisations that tracked coaching ROI reported positive returns, with a median return of seven times the initial investment.
The most widely cited figure in the field, a 788% ROI, comes from a MetrixGlobal study of a Fortune 500 organisation, which included the financial value of improved retention alongside productivity gains. A conservative, credible figure for business case purposes is a three to seven times return on investment, consistent across multiple independent studies.
“86% of organisations that tracked coaching ROI reported positive returns, with a median return of seven times the investment.” – ICF / PwC Global Coaching Client Study, 2009
The impact of coaching on individual leaders is well documented. According to the ICF (2009)
Over 70% of individuals who receive coaching report improved work performance, relationships, and communication skills.
80% of people who receive coaching report increased self-confidence.
99% of people who received coaching reported being satisfied or highly satisfied with the experience (ICF, 2009).
72% of respondents in the ICF Human Capital Institute Defining New Coaching Cultures report (2023) acknowledged a strong correlation between coaching and increased employee engagement.
“99% of people who received coaching reported being satisfied or highly satisfied.”– ICF Global Coaching Client Study, 2009
The benefits of coaching extend beyond the individual being coached. When leaders operate at a higher level, teams and organisations feel it.
A 2023 ICF study found strong agreement that coaching leads to enhanced leadership development and increased employee engagement and commitment across organisations.
Coaching at AstraZeneca resulted in 45% of participants reporting a positive mindset towards performance development, alongside greater trust and safety within their teams (ICF, 2023).
Global employee engagement fell from 23% in 2023 to 21% in 2024, only the second drop in 12 years, resulting in an estimated $438 billion productivity loss (Gallup, 2025). Coaching targeted at managers is one of Gallup’s recommended interventions to reverse this trend.
Deloitte’s 2025 Global Human Capital Trends report notes that, even as AI reshapes the manager role, human capabilities including coaching and development are more essential than ever, not less.
When manager engagement drops, team engagement and productivity fall. Coaching is one of Gallup’s recommended levers to reverse the slide.
– Gallup State of the Global Workplace, 2025
Not all coaching is equal, and organisations commissioning coaching deserve to know they are working with someone properly trained and credentialled.
The ICF (the world’s largest coaching professional body) reported 122,974 coach practitioners worldwide in 2025, up 15% since 2023. 73% of coaches agree that clients expect them to hold a coaching certification or credential (ICF, 2025).
80% of coaches say clients expect credentialling, and 85% of professional coaches hold a credential.
I’m an EMCC Senior Accredited Executive Coach at EIA Senior Practitioner level, alongside an ILM Level 7 in Executive Coaching and Senior Level Mentoring, which is the postgraduate-level qualification in the field. I did not take shortcuts. You and your leaders deserve someone who did not.
“73% of coaches say clients expect them to hold a recognised coaching credential.” – ICF Global Coaching Study, 2025
The research is consistent. Coaching works. It improves how leaders think, decide, and operate. It reduces the pressure on the people around them. It increases engagement and retention. And it delivers a return that is measurable, if you measure it.
What matters most for your organisation is not the industry average. It is what changes for your specific leaders in their specific context. That is why every engagement I run begins with a structured diagnostic, so we are working on the right things from day one, and the outcomes are trackable from beginning to end.
“This has felt entirely different in terms of speed of results and impact.” – Clare, Global Director of Sales
“I cannot imagine working with a better coach than Jasmine.” – Tom Hopper, Director
“Overall 10 out of 10 for the coaching process, style and results.” – Tom Hopper (End of Coaching Survey, November 2025)
