Whether you’re a leader looking to hire an executive coach or a coach who wants to refine their approach, the goal is the same—unlocking true leadership potential and achieving organizational goals.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this article:

• What is the average cost of executive coaching? 
• What are the four parts of a coaching session?
• How to structure an executive coaching session
• How long should an executive coaching session be?

What is the Average Cost of Executive Coaching?

Executive coaching is an investment in your career, and like any good investment, it doesn’t come cheap. 

The cost of executive coaching services varies based on factors such as the expert’s experience, package type, duration, personalization, and location.

You can expect to pay $200-$500 per hour for executive coaching sessions. Experienced executive coaches, especially those working with C-suite executives and senior leaders, might charge upwards of $1,000 per hour. 

However, many experts offer premium executive coaching packages rather than charging per session. These packages usually include coaching sessions and can be in various styles and durations, such as:

• Group programs
• One-on-one coaching 
• 3-month coaching
• 6-month intensives

A three- to six-month coaching relationship can cost anywhere from $6,000 to $50,000. Several expert coaches make it an affordable investment by providing options to pay in installments.

What are the Four Parts of a Coaching Session? 

Certain components make an effective coaching session. They guide business coaches and clients toward improved business performance and interpersonal skills.

These four main parts that form the backbone of a successful coaching approach are: 

1. Awareness 

This stage involves helping the client understand their current situation, challenges, and goals. Here, an expert coach uses questioning and active listening techniques to encourage self-reflection and uncover blind spots. 

Here are some of the things a coaching client can do during the self-awareness phase: 

• Identify their core values and beliefs
• Recognize patterns in how they behave and think
• Uncover hidden obstacles or limiting beliefs
• Gain clarity on their aspirations and desires

By encouraging awareness, the coach helps the client see their situation from new perspectives. This lays the groundwork for positive change.

2. Alignment

Once awareness is established, the next step is alignment. 

This part focuses on ensuring that the client’s goals and actions align with their desired values and results. 

The coach works with the client on the following:

• Clarify and refine their career goals
• Figure out their motivation behind these goals
• Assess how feasible and relevant their objectives are
• Align their short-term actions with their aspirations

This alignment process creates a strong foundation for sustainable change and increases the client’s commitment to their long-term vision.

3. Action

A coaching session isn’t just a conversation. These chats are designed to help clients achieve real changes. The coach and client devise an actionable plan for achieving the identified goals. 

During this stage, the two parties—coach and client—do these together: 

• Brainstorm effective strategies and solutions
• Break down large goals into achievable tasks
• Create a realistic timeline for implementation
• Identify resources and support systems needed for success

Because clients have a practical plan, they can move forward in their leadership journey with confidence and purpose.

4. Accountability

The final part of an effective coaching session is establishing accountability. This step ensures that the momentum generated during the session continues beyond it. 

The coach and client work together to do the following:

• Set measurable targets for upcoming sessions
• Identify obstacles and find solutions to overcome them
• Create a system for tracking progress and celebrating small wins
• Schedule regular check-ins or follow-up sessions

When you help clients stay accountable, they can be committed to their goals and take responsibility for their growth process.

A well-structured coaching session incorporates these four components to provide a powerful framework for personal and professional goals. By hitting all four of these areas in your coaching sessions, you’ll help improve performance in a client’s executive role and personal growth.

Examples of Coaching Sessions

Here are some real-life examples of coaching sessions to give you ideas:

Coaching session as a standalone offer:

These are coaching sessions that are one-off packages for clients, such as a one-hour intensive or a 90-minute strategy session.

One-on-one private intensive with Tracey Jazmin, Business Coach

1:1 Coaching Power Hour with Sophie Clyde-Smith, Solopreneur Coach

Coaching sessions as a part of a coaching package:

These coaching sessions are included in more high-touch business coaching services, like a private or group coaching program that lasts months.

Tracey Jazmin’s 6-month 1:1 private personalized support

Emma Ward’s one-to-one support with ongoing support and training resources

How to Structure an Executive Coaching Session

As a certified executive coach, how you structure your coaching sessions can make a significant difference in client results. A well-structured executive coaching session keeps the conversation productive and aligned with the client’s goals.

Here’s an effective framework that will help you deliver high-impact client experiences:

1. Check-in and Build Rapport (5-10 minutes) 

Every effective coaching session starts with a solid foundation of trust and openness. This phase is crucial to set the tone and create a safe space for dialogue.

Here’s how to do this right:

• Start with open-ended questions like “How has your week been?” or “Has anything been on your mind since our last coaching session?” 
• Note any shifts in energy or tone that might inform the session
• If appropriate, revisit any action items or insights from the previous session

This check-in should be brief but shouldn’t feel rushed. It’s your opportunity to connect and transition your client from their busy day into a reflective coaching mindset.

2. Set Session Goals (10-15 minutes)

This step ensures that both you and your client are aligned on what you aim to accomplish.

Here’s how to set goals for a coaching session:

• Discuss any progress made or challenges encountered since the last session (if any)
• Ask your client what they’d like to focus on: “What’s the most important thing for us to address today?” or “By the end of our session, what would you like to have achieved or decided?”
• If needed, gently guide the conversation toward previously established long-term goals.

During this process, the needs and goals should come from the client. Your role is to help them articulate and refine their objectives for the session.

3. Have a Deep-Dive Conversation (30-40 minutes)

This is where you engage in profound inquiry to help clients develop leadership skills, such as increased self-awareness, executive presence, emotional intelligence, and time management. 

To help clients explore without restrictions, here’s what you can do:

• Use introspective questions to probe deeper into the chosen topic: “What’s at the root of this challenge?” or “How does this situation align with your values and long-term vision?”
• Employ active listening techniques to encourage deeper conversations
• Challenge assumptions gently: “What if that constraint didn’t exist?” or “How might someone else view this situation?”
• Introduce relevant frameworks or models if they can help structure thinking

This phase typically takes up the bulk of your session time. Allow clients space to reflect and process their thoughts, no matter how disorganized they are. Watch for “aha” moments and help your client anchor these new insights. 

4. Summarize and Establish Action Steps (10-15 minutes)

As you wrap up the deep dive and exploration session, translate the insights uncovered into actionable steps and encourage clients to commit to the laid-out action steps before the next session. 

Here’s how to reinforce action steps:

• Recap the key points discussed: “Let’s review what we’ve uncovered…” or “What are your biggest insights from our conversation today?”
• Help clients develop strategies for leadership capabilities: “Based on what we’ve discussed, what actions will you commit to taking before our next session?”
• Discuss how to overcome challenges that might get in their way: “What might get in the way of accomplishing this, and how can you prepare for that?”

During this phase, ensure the action steps are realistic and aligned with the client’s goals and resources. 

5. Close on a Positive Note (5-10 minutes)

A strong closing sets the stage for the next coaching session and the client’s continued progress. Use this time to express confidence in their ability to achieve their goals. Consider the following:

• Highlight key insights and commitments
• Check-in on the client’s energy and mindset: “How are you feeling about what we’ve covered and the actions you’re taking forward?”
• Reinforce positive steps and insights: “I’m impressed with how you approached…”
• Confirm the next session date and any between-session support you’ll provide

Ultimately, the closing phase should leave your client energized, focused, and supported. 

Following this structure creates a reliable framework for transformative results during your executive leadership coaching. As you refine your approach to structuring coaching sessions, you’ll find your own rhythm and style that brings out the best in your executive clients.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

How Long Should an Executive Coaching Session Be?

The sweet spot for most executive coaching sessions is between 60 to 90 minutes. Here’s why:

When a coaching session is less than 60 minutes, it often feels rushed. You need time to get into the deep, meaty discussions that lead to real insights and change.

If it’s more than 90 minutes, that can cause mental fatigue. Even the most enthusiastic learners lose focus when learning drags out long.

That said, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Some coaches offer 30-minute laser coaching sessions for specific issues, while others might create a VIP intensive day for complex challenges or strategic planning. 

The key is to find a duration that allows for meaningful work without overwhelming your client (or yourself!). 

And remember—consistency is often more important than duration. Regular 60-minute sessions will usually yield better results than irregular, lengthy sessions. 

Managing Your Executive Coaching Sessions

Executive coaching sessions are conversations that inspire transformational change in current and aspiring leaders on a professional and personal level.  With Paperbell, you can easily create and manage your executive coaching program. This coaching solution allows you to schedule your availability and sync your meeting calendar in a few clicks. Create your executive coaching sessions for FREE.