Business Coaching Companies vs. DIY Leadership: A Hilarious Tale of Two CEOs

Leadership is one of the most crucial factors in a business’s success. Yet, the path to becoming an effective leader remains a bit like navigating the Amazon rainforest without a map. You could wing it, build some shelters along the way, and hope not to bump into a jungle cat. Or, you could hire an expert guide who knows the terrain.

Today, we’re meeting two CEOs who took very different approaches to enhancing their leadership skills. Meet CEO 1 and CEO 2. Both run businesses in a highly competitive industry, and both realized they needed to sharpen their leadership skills. Here’s the twist, though:  

• CEO 1 went the DIY leadership route, loading her Kindle with books, signing up for free webinars, and bingeing TED Talks deep into the night.
• CEO 2 opted for business coaching services, pairing up with certified coaches to gain clarity, actionable insights, and customized growth strategies.

This post highlights their contrasting journeys, the challenges of going it alone, and why business coaching could be the secret weapon your career and organization need.

What Is Business Coaching vs. DIY Leadership?

Before jumping into the escapades of our two CEOs, let’s clarify what business coaching and DIY leadership coaching mean so we can frame the conversation.  

Business Coaching

Business coaching is a professional service that enables organizations or individuals to collaborate with certified coaches to enhance leadership development, team dynamics, and other key areas of entrepreneurial expertise. Formats often include one-on-one coaching, team coaching, or a combination of both.  

Key benefits of business coaching services include:

• Personal development of new skills
• A structured system for achieving business goals and organizational change
• Support in creating actionable plans for professional development, emotional intelligence, and team performance

DIY Leadership  

DIY leadership relies on self-curated methods such as reading leadership books, watching webinars, listening to podcasts, and trial-and-error learning. While this approach can be effective for motivated individuals, it often lacks crucial elements such as structure and tailored feedback.  

Challenges of DIY leadership include:

• Limited accountability and guidance
• No real-time feedback to correct blind spots
• Fragmented learning that may not directly address specific leadership hurdles

Now back to the heroes of this little story: the CEOs! 

CEO 1: DIY Leadership Journey

Picture CEO 1. She’s got a towering stack of bestsellers like The Art of War for Executives and Radical Candor. Most days, she’s bouncing between free leadership webinars while trying to implement five different productivity hacks.

Her issues?  

• Overload: She quickly gets lost in a sea of conflicting advice, making it difficult to prioritize actionable steps.
• Burnout: Without structured support, juggling business responsibilities and new leadership strategies with the rest of her personal life takes a toll.
• Missed Opportunities: Important nuances, such as emotional intelligence and personal growth, remain unaddressed without an expert to help her identify and target her blind spots.

DIY leadership isn’t inherently bad, but for business owners like CEO 1, the lack of tangible strategy, guidance, and feedback often leads to frustration and wasted time. 

CEO 2: Business Coaching Advantage  

And then, there’s CEO 2. She partners with a business coaching company staffed with expert, certified coaches who guide her through structured goals for professional and team growth.  

Here’s CEO 2’s transformation in action:

• Personalized Development: Through coaching sessions, CEO 2 discovers blind spots in her leadership style and gains actionable steps to address them.
• Enhanced Team Performance: Team coaching identifies and resolves communication challenges, boosting overall team alignment.
• Sustainable Growth: CEO 2 avoids burnout with tailored strategies, fostering well-being without compromising productivity.

For example, her coach helps her create Multiple Action Plans (MAPs) to tackle issues like retention and conflict resolution seamlessly. 

Some of her business coaching experience wins include:

• Real-Time Feedback: Through executive coaching sessions and workshops, real-time insights help CEO 2 pivot faster than DIY solutions allow.  
• Structured Plans: Professional mentoring offers frameworks for informed decision-making and strategic planning, resulting in measurable outcomes.  
• Confidence Boost: One-on-one coaching empowers business leaders like CEO 2 to lead with clarity and confidence, honing competencies such as emotional intelligence and conflict resolution.

Why Combining Team and One-on-One Coaching Is a Game-Changer 

CEO 2 also integrates team coaching with one-on-one sessions, leveraging both formats for even greater impact. This approach fosters greater coordination at every level of her organization, from junior staff to senior executives.  

Key benefits of team coaching include:

• Alignment: Executive coaching services ensure team goals are clear and tightly correlated with organizational objectives.
• Better Collaboration: Teams build trust, share feedback effectively, and align on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
• Real Conversations: Coaches facilitate honest dialogue while maintaining a psychologically safe environment.

When paired with individual coaching, team coaching helps amplify results while establishing a vibrant, collaborative culture. 

The ROI of Business Coaching Companies

It’s no surprise that business coaching delivers a significant return on investment (ROI) in areas like strategic planning, professional growth, and retention. Here’s what organizations notice after implementing professional coaching services.

• Better Retention: Employees in coaching cultures feel more valued, resulting in increased loyalty.
• Boosted Team Engagement: Coaching initiatives often lead to significant process improvements, making employees happier and more productive.
• Achieving Full Potential: Both leaders and teams unlock untapped competencies, reaching new heights in performance.

Now, ask yourself—which scenario is more appealing? The overwhelmed DIYer juggling a million self-guided resources, or the confident, systematic leader equipped with executive leadership coaching?  

Choose Your Own Adventure: Which Leadership Path Will You Take?

Leadership isn’t a lone-wolf game. It’s about maximizing connections, understanding self-awareness, and building the talent development of those around you. Business coaching programs aren’t just services; they’re lifelines for high-performing senior leaders who want to scale both personally and professionally. 

Whether you’re a startup entrepreneur, a seasoned small business owner, or a busy executive, the value of working with certified coaches with years of experience to refine your leadership style is undeniable.  

Interested in business coaching solutions? Get in touch with us to learn how a)plan can help you unlock your leadership potential and get your organization to the next level.