What is an Executive Coach?

  • Someone who asks good the right questions

  • Creates a safe, confidential space to go deep

  • A confidant, sounding board, thought partner

  • Trained, certified by ICF; experienced as coach

  • Operating and leadership experience

  • One with whom I can be open, willing, honest

  • A coach = advisor or board member

Overview of Executive Coaching Themes

FOR LEADERS

  • Lead with greater impact

  • Be more present and less reactive

  • Connect more deeply with the people they lead 

  • Step up to a new role with ease

  • Develop key leadership skills & management systems

  • Hold accountability

  • Discover more gratification in their work and life

  • Enhance their creativity and ability to innovate

  • ROI of 8x or more

FOR ENTREPRENEURS

  • Focus and prioritize

  • Hire and delegate better

  • Build skill in fundraising and investor/board relations

  • Strengthen and clarify co-founder relationships

  • Create a strong culture

  • Find the time, space, and perspective to see the big picture

  • Avoid burnout and create a sustainable relationship to business-building

Executive Coaching Structure

TYPICAL PROGRAM

  • 6-9 months initially; CEOs often longer-term

  • Most coaches meet bi-weekly, some more/less

  • Define observable goals

  • Practices and exercises

  • Stakeholder feedback, alignment conversations, assessments

  • Range from $2000 to $10,000/mo

Coach Selection: Finding the Right One for You

  • Coaching comes in many forms, and finding the right fit starts with understanding your goals. Are you looking for personal transformation, leadership growth, or something in between? Most coaching approaches fall into these two broad categories:

    • Life vs. Executive/Leadership Coaching – Life coaching focuses on personal fulfillment and well-being, while executive and leadership coaching helps professionals sharpen their decision-making, increase their impact, and navigate high-stakes leadership challenges.

    • Specialized Approaches – Depending on your needs, you might explore integral coaching, performance optimization, creativity coaching, or industry-specific coaching, such as climate and energy leadership coaching—an area where David Rosenheim Executive Coaching specializes.

    David works with purpose-driven leaders—especially those in cleantech, energy, and sustainability—to develop the clarity, resilience, and skills needed to lead through complexity and create meaningful change.

    • There are many ways to connect with a coach, from independent professionals to structured programs. Here are a few options:

      • Individual Coaches – Independent practitioners who offer customized coaching experiences.

      • Coaching Firms – Organizations that specialize in leadership development and coaching, such as Trium Group, ProjectNext Leadership, Boda Group, A Plan, and Goodstone Group.

      • Coaching Platforms – Digital services that match clients with coaches, including Sharpist and BetterUp.

      • International Coaching Federation (ICF) – A global network that certifies and connects coaches with clients.

      • David Rosenheim Executive Coaching – We specialize in working with climate, energy, and sustainability leaders, helping them navigate uncertainty, strengthen leadership presence, and amplify their impact on the world.

    • Finding the right coach isn’t just about credentials—it’s about trust and alignment. You should feel comfortable, supported, and challenged in a way that encourages growth. A great coach provides:

      • A Safe Space for Honest Conversations – Coaching should be a space where you can explore challenges, ideas, and aspirations without judgment.

      • Alignment with Your Values and Goals – Your coach should understand your unique needs and support your leadership journey in a way that is practical, actionable, and deeply relevant to your work.

      • The Right Energy and Communication Style – The best coaching relationships are built on mutual respect, curiosity, and a shared commitment to growth.

      • A Thought Partner Who Gets Your Industry – If you’re leading in climate, energy, or sustainability, a coach who understands the complexity of your field can make all the difference. David Rosenheim has been in your shoes as a leader navigating high-impact, mission-driven work—and he brings that experience to every coaching engagement.

Am I ready for coaching?

Is there latent potential in me and my organization?

Am I coachable?

Honest: able to be honest with yourself and your coach

Open: “If your mind is empty, it is open to everything. In a beginner’s mind, there are many possibilities; in the expert’s mind, there are few.”  -Shunryu Suzuki

Willing: To test. Take action in-between sessions. Retest. Take action more even if you are uncomfortable.