The Hidden Dangers of Executive Coaching No One Talks About... Until It’s Too Late!

Executive coaching is bullshit—and it’s time someone called it out.

Let’s get real: executive coaching has exploded in popularity over the last 15 years. CEOs and top execs are lining up to hire coaches who promise to turn them into high-performing machines. But here's the kicker—most of these coaches don’t have a clue about the deep psychological issues they’re messing with.

The Real Problem: Coaches Without a Clue

Most executive coaches are former athletes, lawyers, or consultants with zero training in psychology. Sure, they might help you with surface-level issues, like managing a team or hitting quarterly targets. But when it comes to the deep-seated psychological stuff that’s really holding you back? They’re as clueless as a cat in a dog show.

Let me tell you about Rob Bernstein. He’s a pseudonym, but his story is all too real. Rob was an executive who brought in big bucks for his company but left a trail of chaos behind him. He humiliated a mail clerk in front of everyone, and the CEO thought, "Hey, let’s get him a coach to fix this." Enter Tom Davis, a former corporate lawyer turned coach. Four years later, Rob was still a walking disaster, just better at hiding it. The coaching didn’t fix Rob—it fed his narcissism, making him an even bigger problem.

The Truth About Narcissism in the C-Suite

Narcissists are often the ones who rise to the top. They’re driven, they achieve, and they leave a path of destruction in their wake. Executive coaches without psychological training don’t understand that they’re dealing with something much bigger than bad behavior—they’re dealing with deep psychological disorders that no amount of coaching can fix.

Rob’s narcissism wasn’t just a personality quirk. It was a full-blown disorder that needed serious psychological intervention, not a few coaching sessions. But the coaching only made him worse, giving him more tools to manipulate and harm others. This is the real danger—coaches without psychological training can’t recognize or treat these issues, and they can actually make things worse.

Quick Fix Culture: The Downfall of Real Leadership

We live in a world obsessed with quick fixes. CEOs want results, and they want them yesterday. So, they turn to executive coaches who promise to deliver fast, easy solutions. But here’s the truth: real change doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, it takes introspection, and sometimes, it takes therapy.

Let’s talk about Jim Mirabella, another exec who got caught in the coaching trap. Jim was promoted too quickly and started hoarding information, isolating his team. His coach, a former football player turned executive whisperer, pushed him to “man up” and stop being a “weakling.” Jim played along, but inside, he was crumbling. The coaching didn’t address the root of his problems—it just covered them up until they exploded.

Behaviorism Is Bullshit—Here’s Why

Behavioral coaching is all the rage. Teach an exec to be more assertive, to delegate, to give feedback—easy, right? Wrong. Behavioral coaching only scratches the surface. It doesn’t touch the deep-seated issues that really screw with an exec’s ability to lead.

Take Jennifer Mansfield. She was a rockstar at work until she got promoted to a managerial role. Suddenly, she couldn’t delegate, couldn’t give feedback, and her work started slipping. Her coach thought she just needed to be more assertive, but that wasn’t the real issue. Jennifer was terrified of intimacy, thanks to a screwed-up childhood. Coaching made her more assertive, but it also pushed her to the brink of exhaustion and breakdown. It wasn’t until she got real psychological help that she turned things around.

The Influence Trap: Coaches Playing God

Here’s where it gets even more dangerous—when coaches get too close to the CEO. When a coach starts advising on more than just performance, when they start making decisions that impact the whole company, you’ve got a recipe for disaster. CEOs trust these coaches because they talk the talk, but they don’t realize that these coaches might be leading them off a cliff.

Look at Rich Garvin, a CEO who brought in a coach to help his struggling COO. The coach fixed the COO’s anger issues, but then started recommending personnel changes that tanked the company’s morale and performance. The coach’s influence became toxic, and it wasn’t until Garvin brought in outside consultants that he realized how deep the damage went.

The Bottom Line: Know Who You’re Hiring

Not every executive coach is a disaster waiting to happen, but if you’re not careful, you could end up with one who does more harm than good. Before you hire a coach, make damn sure they know what they’re doing. And here’s a tip—get a psychological evaluation before you start any coaching. If there’s a deeper issue at play, no amount of coaching will fix it. You need real psychological help, not a quick fix.

In the end, the best leaders are the ones who know themselves—inside and out. They’re not afraid to face the tough stuff, to dig deep, and to get the right kind of help when they need it. So, before you jump on the executive coaching bandwagon, take a step back and ask yourself: Is this coach really going to help, or are they just another quick fix that’s going to make things worse?

Conclusion: Step Up and Take Control

It’s time to cut through the bullshit. Executive coaching, without the right psychological grounding, can do more harm than good. The stories of Rob, Jim, and Jennifer aren’t just cautionary tales—they’re wake-up calls. If you’re serious about leading, about truly understanding yourself and your team, then you need to dig deeper. Don’t settle for quick fixes. True leadership comes from within, and it starts with understanding the real you.

Here’s your next move: If you want to future-proof your leadership and build a legacy that lasts, it’s time to take action. Don’t leave your success to chance or the hands of an unqualified coach. Download my free, step-by-step workbook guide, Future-Proof Your Legacy. This guide will walk you through creating a solid succession plan that aligns with your vision and values.

Click here to start building your legacy today: Future-Proof Your Legacy. It’s your time to lead with intention and ensure your impact endures. Don’t wait—take the first step now and secure your future success.

Bio

Baz Porter is a renowned executive coach and consultant specializing in high-performance coaching for CEOs, executives, and entrepreneurs.

With over 15 years of experience, Baz has transformed countless lives by addressing deep-seated psychological challenges that traditional executive coaching often overlooks. His unique approach combines strategic leadership development with a keen understanding of narcissistic personality disorders and behavioral psychology, ensuring that his clients not only achieve their business goals but also find lasting personal growth.

As a bold, no-nonsense consultant, Baz Porter is committed to helping leaders future-proof their legacy and build success that endures.