Leaders today are under intense and mounting pressure. AI is moving faster than most business models can absorb. Political and regulatory uncertainty is constant. Clients want more value, faster. Teams are stretched thin. The economic outlook feels fragile. And yet, through it all, leaders are expected to drive results, maintain a strong presence, and deliver growth.

I’ve partnered with Dr. Jennifer Byrnes—an expert in behavioral science and a longtime friend—to create a training experience built for the leadership challenges of 2025—and we’ve authored this article to describe the details behind our program.

For years, the first week of July was a full stop. At the global firm where I spent most of my career, the July 4th holiday meant a complete shutdown—no calls, no client work, just a rare stretch of quiet in an otherwise relentless calendar.

It was always a good time to reflect. But this year, the pause feels different. Because this year, I’m not going back.

This week marks the beginning of something I’ve long planned for. A new chapter I’ve been building toward for quite some time. It’s not an end. It’s a launch…

Crossing the finish line of a major accomplishment can bring a mix of pride, disorientation, and reflection. I remember finishing my first half Ironman after months of disciplined training. I expected triumph. What I felt was: Now what?

That feeling isn’t rare. I see it often in leadership coaching—especially when someone earns a hard-fought promotion. After years of commitment, resilience, and sacrifice, reaching senior leadership can feel like the top of the mountain. But that summit often comes with unexpected solitude.

This piece is about what comes next—why senior leadership can feel lonely, and how the right executive coach can make all the difference.

When people think about coaching, they usually picture one-on-one sessions—a coach and an individual working through goals, challenges, or opportunities. And that’s understandable; one-on-one coaching is the most well-known coaching format. But team coaching can be equally, if not more, impactful. As someone who has worked extensively with teams, I’ve seen firsthand how transformative it can be. One particular experience with a leader named David and his team reinforced just how powerful this approach can be—both for the team and for me as their coach. 

In my nearly four decades of working at a large accounting and consulting firm, I’ve had the privilege to observe, collaborate with, coach, and advise some of the most accomplished professionals across a variety of industries. These experiences, spanning companies, continents, and cultures, have led me to one profound realization: not only does everyone in business benefit from having a coach, but the right coach—one with both deep coaching expertise and practical business acumen—can be a game-changer.