The Future of Retail Leadership Development – 2025 Study
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Part II
Commitment to Coaching: The Catalyst for Leadership Growth
"I should have this figured out by now."
"I’ve been leading for years - why do I need a coach?"
"I know my business better than anyone else. What could someone outside of it really tell me?"
In my 20+ years of coaching founders and executive leaders, I’ve heard it all.
Most leaders reach a point where they feel like they should have all the answers. I did and struggle with it.
After all, they’ve built careers on strong decisions, strategic thinking, and resilience. But then, something shifts.
The team isn’t executing like they should.
The same challenges keep resurfacing.
The feedback and stories that once inspired them no longer resonate.
What once felt like momentum now feels like exhaustion.
They’ve hit a crossroads.
And here’s what most won’t admit: Experience alone won’t get them through it.
I’ve been fortunate enough to understand the power of coaching since I was a young leader. I still meet regularly with my coach,
, because I know what it takes, the humility, the investment, and the willingness to step into discomfort. And that’s exactly why I advocate for it so strongly.Because the hard truth is this: Your best thinking got you here. But it won’t take you to what’s next.
Internal training programs, mentors, and networks can only take you so far.
External Executive Coaching is what pushes you past the limits you didn’t even realize you set. It’s not about fixing weaknesses, it’s about sharpening strengths, uncovering blind spots, and breaking through the silent roadblocks that keep you stuck.
I’ve sat across from leaders who were convinced their team was the problem, until we uncovered the real issue: communication, clarity, or even confidence in their own decisions.
But the hardest part? Stripping away the persona you’ve built to survive and getting to the core of who you really are as a leader. That shift changes everything.
Coaching isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about finally letting go of the need to.
If that makes you uncomfortable, you’re exactly where you need to be.
Coaching Isn’t Optional. It’s the Catalyst for Your Next Level
Stripping away the persona you’ve built is one thing. But what happens next?
Most leaders assume coaching is for those who need help or for when you reach a certain level of leadership. That’s the wrong perspective. Coaching isn’t about fixing. Coaching isn’t for the “elite.”
Coaching is the great equalizer. Coaching is about elevating. And the biggest reason leaders resist it isn’t cost or time. It’s vulnerability.
Please hear this, because I truly understand:
You’ve built your career by making strong decisions, leading teams, and delivering results. You’re used to being the one with answers.
But coaching flips the script:
No corporate politics.
No performance reviews.
No agenda other than your growth.
And for many leaders, that’s both freeing and terrifying.
Why Leaders Resist Coaching
The top reason leaders avoid getting coaching is a perception that it signals weakness or incompetence.
It’s not a lack of resources. Its a lack of commitment. They are afraid of the optics that obtaining coaching presence.
Everyone of will know.
Please hear this: Everyone already sees your gaps. They know your challenges. They want you to improve.
Beyond perception, three key barriers keep leaders from getting the coaching they need and deserve:
Fear of Vulnerability – True coaching forces you to confront what you’d rather ignore. Your gaps, missteps, and blind spots. Most leaders rarely admit these, even to themselves.
Unfamiliarity with Being Challenged – Many leaders haven’t been questioned deeply in years. Coaching pushes past surface-level accountability into real, uncomfortable growth.
Loss of Control – You’re not steering the conversation. You’re being guided. For high achievers, letting go of control can feel like losing control.
But when leaders lean into this discomfort, something shifts.
Why Coaching Works
What i’ve learned from some of the best leaders - they seek truth, challenge assumptions, and create space to evolve.
✅ A Safe Space to Be Real – No boardroom politics. No consequences. Just the truth.
✅ Unfiltered, Unbiased Feedback – No corporate dynamics. Just direct, actionable insights tailored to you.
✅ Accountability Without Hidden Agendas – A coach pushes you forward without favoritism or internal politics.
✅ New Perspectives That Challenge Your Thinking – Experience is great, but an outside lens helps you see what you’ve missed.
The Limits of Internal Coaching
Internal coaching programs can be helpful, but they have major flaws:
While internal coaching programs can offer benefits, they often face significant challenges:
Limited Adoption Among Senior Leaders: Only 13% of top-tier executives utilize internal coaching, indicating a preference for external coaches who provide broader industry perspectives and confidentiality.
(www.right.com)
Challenges in Measuring Impact: A majority of organizations (73%) report difficulties in assessing the business impact of their internal coaching efforts, which can hinder program justification and improvement.
Perceived Lack of Confidentiality and Bias: Internal coaches may struggle to offer an outside viewpoint, and concerns about confidentiality can limit their effectiveness.
(www.right.com)
These factors can limit the effectiveness of internal coaching initiatives, leading many organizations to consider external coaching solutions for more impactful leadership development.
Your Real Leadership Growth Starts Here
We define growth as: “Constant elevation causes expansion.” (IYKYK)
Coaching isn’t about fixing what’s broken. It’s about unlocking what’s next.
Are You Ready?
Coaching isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity for leaders who refuse to stay stagnant.
The question is: Are you willing to step into discomfort, let go of the persona, and lead at the next level?
Your growth starts at the edge of your comfort zone. Let coaching take you there.
Learn more about our coaching and training programs ↴
Next Edition: Deep Self-Awareness – The Leadership Superpower
Next, we’ll dive into why self-awareness is the ultimate leadership advantage. Great leadership starts with knowing yourself. Not just your strengths, but your blind spots, triggers, and the patterns that shape your decisions.
Most leaders are tired of being unseen, passed over, or just plain neglected. A high percentage of leaders want to grow and desire to be developed at a higher level.
However, their company only provides them with the resources and content relevant to their company.
This creates a generation of limited, boxed-in leaders with narrow leadership perspectives. As a result, they are unable to explore new ideas and methodologies that could propel them and their teams forward.
Here’s the thing: leadership is not one-size-fits-all.
True growth happens when leaders are exposed to diverse perspectives, cutting-edge practices, and a supportive community that challenges them to think outside the box.
It’s about breaking free from the confines of conventional corporate training and embracing a holistic approach to leadership development.
So, what’s missing from the puzzle?
Custom, relevant coaching and training that considers you and your schedule.
Join us and become part of a movement that’s redefining retail leadership.
📌 HOW CAN I HELP YOU? Book a Time - HERE
Totally agree!