How to Break into Corporate Coaching: First Steps and Strategies

Breaking into corporate coaching can feel intimidating, especially if you’re used to working with individual clients. But here’s the truth: if you’re already coaching individuals who work within companies, you’re halfway there. You need to think bigger and be intentional about expanding your reach.

I once worked with a client who was head of finance at a large corporation. His boss brought me in because they considered firing him if he didn’t improve his leadership skills. After six months of working with him, he saw incredible progress. But I didn’t stop there—I made sure to have regular conversations with his boss, the GM, about the improvements. These conversations weren’t just updates; they were opportunities to demonstrate the value of coaching to the broader organization.

What happened next? I started coaching the GM’s entire leadership team. One client turned into the whole organization. That’s how you break into corporate coaching: start small, but keep your eyes open for bigger opportunities. 

Here’s a strategy you can use right now. When coaching an individual who works in a company, ask them about their team. Is their team struggling with the same challenges? Would it benefit the entire team if they could see the same breakthroughs your client is experiencing? Propose running a workshop for the team or offer to coach a group. Corporations love solutions that scale, and if you can show them that your coaching can help not just one person but a whole team, you’ve got your foot in the door.

Another key: don’t be afraid to get creative. I often start with an "awareness session"—a short, interactive session that gives teams a taste of what’s possible. It’s low-pressure but gives corporate leaders a glimpse of the results they could achieve with more in-depth work. 

Corporate coaching is about positioning yourself as the solution to a more significant problem. Keep showing up, expand the conversation, and always look for opportunities to serve at a higher level. That’s how you transition from coaching individuals to transforming entire organizations.