Executive Coaching in India: What HR Leaders Want
HR leaders believe in executive coaching. What they want is clearer evidence that it changes leadership behaviour and contributes to business results. My 2025 survey gathered responses from 132 HR leaders and senior HR professionals.
HR leaders believe in executive coaching. What they want is clearer evidence that it changes leadership behaviour and contributes to business results. My 2025 survey gathered responses from 132 HR leaders and senior HR professionals.
Four findings worth acting on
72% cited lack of measurable ROI as a barrier to investing in coaching.
73% wanted coaching goals linked directly to business KPIs.
80% wanted leader readiness assessed before investment.
62% identified insufficient understanding of business and organisational context as an area coaches should strengthen.
Move coaching into the leadership plan
52% selected a remedial purpose for coaching, while 75% wanted it integrated into leadership development roadmaps. Offer coaching when leaders take on greater complexity, wider stakeholder responsibilities or global mandates. Make the purpose explicit before the engagement begins.
Turn the findings into a better engagement
Start with a willing leader, a clear business challenge, observable success criteria and an involved sponsor. Then select a coach who can connect insight with action at work. The following pages explain how.