From Corner Office to Coaching: Leveraging Executive Experience
I’ve sat in that chair.
The one with the view, the weight of a company’s future on your shoulders, and a calendar so full you start booking time to breathe. For years, the corner office was the goal – and when I got there, I realised it wasn’t the finish line. It was just another chapter.
Here’s the truth no one tells you: success at the top can feel strangely incomplete. You’ve led teams, closed deals, navigated crises – but there’s this quiet voice in the background saying, “You’re not done yet.”
For me, that voice became too loud to ignore.
My Leap: From Director to Coach
I didn’t “retire” from leadership – I just changed the room I wore it in.
After years of running companies, I realised the part of my job I loved most wasn’t the quarterly results. It was helping people see what they were capable of, guiding them through decisions, and watching them grow into their own leadership.
Coaching wasn’t a career move. It was a calling.
The skills I’d honed as a director – strategy, execution, problem-solving – translated beautifully. Suddenly, I wasn’t just making decisions for one company; I was helping business owners make better decisions for theirs.
Why Executives Make Brilliant Coaches
Let’s be real: you’ve been where your clients want to go. You’ve led through storms, scaled teams, and made the calls that mattered. That perspective is gold for a business owner.
Executives bring something many coaches can’t teach:
- The ability to see both the big picture and the next three steps.
- Emotional intelligence to navigate people as well as numbers.
- The discipline to turn ideas into systems that actually stick.
Business owners today don’t just need motivation – they need a partner who’s walked the terrain they’re about to cross.
The 4-Tier Pathway at Archer Inspirations
I know the jump from the boardroom to coaching can feel daunting, so I’ve built a pathway that grows with you:
- Starter Coach – Start by shadowing, learning the 4 Pillars framework, and supporting lead coaches.
- Growth Coach – Work with your own clients, backed by our training, tools, and marketing.
- Impact Coach – Mentor other coaches, lead advanced programs, and tackle complex cases.
- Brand Partner – Shape the future of Archer Inspirations, co-own a region, and build your legacy.
It’s designed so you don’t just “become a coach” – you evolve into the role in a way that fits your strengths, pace, and purpose.
Lessons from My Books
In The 4 Pillars of Business, I talk about building on Foundation, Niche, Levers, and Team. As a former executive, you’re already fluent in these pillars – you’ve lived them, led them, and scaled them.
In Alignment Over Hustle, I dive into something more personal: leading in a way that fuels your life instead of draining it. Many executives know the cost of success, but coaching lets you pass on the wisdom without the burnout.
Why Now
We’re in a business climate where adaptability, emotional intelligence, and purpose-driven strategy are worth more than ever. Owners are looking for someone who’s been there – who’s lived the high-stakes decisions and come out the other side with clarity.
Coaching gives you:
- The impact of changing lives and businesses directly.
- The freedom to design work around your life.
- The legacy of knowing your knowledge will outlast your career.
If you’ve spent a lifetime gathering experience, now is the time to multiply it.
Final thought:
You don’t have to step out of leadership when you leave the corner office. You just need to step into a different room – one where your voice doesn’t just lead a company… it changes lives.
