Why coaching matters for mental health and leadership growth

In this month’s first blog, Tracey talked about ‘The boss’ going outside of the organisation for help, especially as being the leader at the top where it can be a lonely job at times. Aa there has been two significant days this month - International Bosses Day and World Mental Health Day. What is the connection?

Anyone who has been promoted into a leadership role generally feels like they should know what they are doing straight away, and this applies to nearly all newly appointed managers who quickly experience imposter syndrome where thoughts of ‘I should know’, ‘what happens if I get caught out’ and ‘I was lucky to get this role’ start to creep in. This can lead to mental health problems. Forbes wrote an article in September last year reporting that 36% of managers reported levels of stress and burnout and Gallup also found that managers are more likely to be stressed, angry, sad and lonely than non-managers, given the huge responsibilities that fall on their shoulders, coupled with the challenging economic, political and social climate.

So where does the leader find their support? Especially if they are at the top of the organisational tree.

As they rarely have a safe, objective space to think, explore ideas, or challenge themselves, a coach can provide that space and much more. Here are some clear reasons why leaders benefit from working with a coach:

1. Objective perspective
   Colleagues, friends, and even family will often filter their feedback. A coach will listen without bias and challenge constructively, helping leaders see blind spots and different angles.
2. Space to think strategically
   Many leaders spend most of their time reacting to day-to-day pressures. Coaching creates time to step back, reflect, and focus on long-term goals, not just urgent tasks.
3. Improved decision-making
   A coach acts as a sounding board for complex or high-stakes decisions, asking the right questions to help leaders weigh options and consider the impact.
4. Leadership growth
   Coaching encourages leaders to build on strengths, address unhelpful habits, and develop the mindset and skills they need for the next stage of their career or business growth.
5. Better communication and relationships
   Coaches help leaders develop emotional intelligence, active listening, and clearer communication — skills that directly affect team engagement and performance.
6. Accountability
   It’s easy to put off the “important but not urgent” actions. A coach will hold leaders accountable for following through on what matters most.
7. Wellbeing and resilience
   The role can be isolating and stressful. Coaching supports leaders in managing pressure, maintaining perspective, and preventing burnout.

In short, a good coach doesn’t tell leaders what to do — they create the conditions for leaders to find clarity, act with confidence, and achieve results they might not reach on their own.

If you are one of these leaders, call us on 01904 628838, we’d love to hear from you and see how we can help and support you. We have a wealth of coaching experience supporting leaders in all organisations.