The Business of Executive Coaching

If you are planning to start (or reinvigorate!) your coaching business in 2027, chances are there are things you need to be doing now.

In this episode, I share the 10 things I’d do in the remaining months of this year if I were starting or restarting my executive coaching business in 2027. They sit across three areas: mindset, foundational asset building and marketing momentum. All of these are designed so that you o you can start the year with a bang rather than a scramble. Quick note as you dive in: if you’d like to see exactly what is involved in a successful coaching business, including how to map out your funnel, come along to my free Business Growth Workshop for Executive Coaches at elliescarf.com/pipeline.

Today I'm joined by Dr. Saba Hasanie, an ICF MCC certified coach, supervisor and author, and a three-time guest on the podcast. Saba has been working in executive coaching for 16 years, following an amazing career spanning marketing, sales, HR and management consulting.

Saba shares the story behind her new book, The Blueprint of Leadership: How Your Origins Shape Leadership in a Complex World. She explains why she wrote it now, as AI gets better at asking powerful questions and coaches look for both depth and speed.

Saba and I cover a lot of ground in this episode, including the six fields of the origins map, how it sits alongside vertical development, and the profiling tool that links childhood stories to leadership behaviours under pressure. We also talk about where this work fits in a coach's development, what organisations are saying about leadership programs that aren't delivering, and why differentiation matters when you now have non-human competition.

Purchase your copy of The Blueprint Of Leadership: How Your Origins Shape Leadership in a Complex World, by Dr. Saba Hasanie here: 👉🏻 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1041106149

You can find out more about the Origins Map and programmes at https://globalosc.com/certifications/

If you've been thinking about joining the Corporate to Coach Accelerator, book a call to see if it's the right fit for you and your business at elliescarf.com/bookacall, or find out more about the program at elliescarf.com/cca

What if the thing slowing your coaching business down isn't a lack of effort, but an obstacle you haven't named yet?

In this episode, I share the one addition I've made to quarterly planning this year for my clients: a specific, systematic focus on removing blockers. I’ll share why I think this works and how you can implement it this week.

Quick note as you dive in: I'd love to know which blocker you're tackling this quarter, so come and find me on LinkedIn and share it with me. And if you're an executive or leadership coach exploring what support you need to grow your business, reach out and book a call with me here.

Today I'm joined by Cathy Hockey, a coach, consultant and facilitator working with for-purpose organisations and leaders. Cathy brings 40 years of experience, including close to 20 in the not-for-profit sector.

Cathy shares her extraordinary career-to-coach story, from bank branch manager at 25 through drafting, conservation and disability services, to building a coaching business of her own.

Cathy and I cover a lot of ground in this episode, including the unique challenges leaders face in the for-purpose sector and how she's getting comfortable with visibility, rejection and follow-up.

You can connect with Cathy on LinkedIn or at cathyhockey.com.au.

If you've been thinking about joining the Corporate to Coach Accelerator, book a call with me to see if it's the right fit for you and your business at elliescarf.com/bookacall, or find out more about the program at elliescarf.com/cca

What if the most confronting reply in your inbox is actually proof your outreach is working exactly as it should?

In this episode, I walk you through what to do when someone calls you out for being "salesy" in your outreach: the mindset shifts that stop you spiralling, the practical steps to take in the moment, and the tune-ups worth making to your sales approach so one prickly response doesn’t knock you too far off course.

Quick note as you dive in: if you want support building an outreach and sales approach that feels aligned (not salesy!!) reach out and book a call with me here.