Most executive coaches are former executives. I'm a current one. Here's why that matters.

The conventional model: Retire from corporate → become a coach

The question I get: "Aren't you too busy? Don't you have conflicts of interest?"

My controversial answer: Being active is my advantage, not a limitation

Promise: You'll understand why current experience trumps past experience

`Why would a VP of Sales coach other sales leaders? Discover the advantage of working with a coach who's still 'in the arena' every day.`

The Former Executive Model

The Traditional Path:

Executive has successful 20-30 year career
Retires or exits corporate world
Becomes a coach to "give back" and share wisdom
Leverages past experience and network

The Value Proposition:

Deep experience ("I've been a CRO 3 times")
Pattern recognition ("I've seen this before")
Credibility ("I've done your job")
War stories and case studies

The Hidden Problem:

Experience becomes dated (3-5 years = lifetime in sales)
What worked in 2018 doesn't work in 2025
Remote/hybrid leadership wasn't a thing 5 years ago
AI, automation, new buyer behaviors = different world
"When I was a VP" stories = outdated playbooks

Example: A coach who was a CRO from 2015-2020:

Didn't manage remote teams (COVID changed everything)
Didn't deal with AI in sales process
Didn't navigate current buyer behavior (buyers are 70% through decision before talking to sales)
Retirement = Rose-colored glasses ("Back in my day...")

Not saying former executives are bad coaches:

Many are excellent
Experience is valuable
But experience has an expiration date

The Active Practitioner Model

My Current Role:

RVP of Sales at Fortune 1000 company enterprise software organization
Carrying a quota RIGHT NOW
Dealing with upper management expectations THIS WEEK
Managing people challenges TODAY
Living in the trenches, not reminiscing about them

Why I Coach While Working:

1. Current, Not Past Tense

"I'm dealing with X" vs. "I used to deal with X"
Real-time relevance
No rose-colored glasses
Can't romanticize "the good old days" when I'm living them

2. Pressure-Tested Advice

Not coaching from theory
Everything I share is battle-tested THIS YEAR
If a framework doesn't work in my org, I don't teach it
Constantly iterating based on what's working NOW

3. Shared Reality

You're facing pressure with AI? Me too.
You're dealing with remote team dynamics? Same.
You're navigating a reorg? I literally just did.
We're in the same arena, just different companies

4. No "My Way" Bias

I'm not retired and living off my legacy
I don't need to prove "my approach was right"
I'm humble enough to know I'm still figuring it out
More focused on YOUR situation than defending MY past

5. I Feel Your Pain (Literally)

When you say "I'm exhausted," I get it (not academically—viscerally)
When you say "my forecast call was brutal," I had one yesterday
When you say "I don't have time," I'm coaching nights/weekends for that reason

Addressing the Obvious Questions

"Aren't you too busy?"

No. Here's why:

I coach evenings and weekends (when you're available anyway)
I'm selective about client load (6-8 clients max)
My day job doesn't interfere with coaching (intentional separation)
Most busy leaders PREFER evening/weekend sessions

"Don't you have conflicts of interest?"

No. Here's why:

Everything is confidential (ICF Code of Ethics)
Even if we're at competing companies, information stays locked
I sign confidentiality agreements
I'm legally and ethically bound

"What if you change jobs or get laid off?"

Then I'm EVEN MORE relevant for career transition coaching.

I'll have just navigated what you're navigating
Fresh experience with job search, interviews, negotiations
Not 10-year-old advice

"Will you have time for me?"

Yes. Here's my commitment:

72-hour prep before first session (review intake thoroughly)
Full focus during our hour (no distractions)
Between-session support via email
I limit clients specifically to maintain quality

When You'd Want a Former Executive Instead

To be fair, sometimes former executives are better choice:

Choose a former executive coach if:

You want someone with CEO/CRO experience (I'm a VP)
You need Board-level coaching (I'm not at that level yet)
You want someone with 30+ years experience (I have 25)
You prefer someone with more time flexibility (former execs can do daytime)
You want someone who's coached 100+ clients (I'm selective, smaller client base)

I'm not for everyone:

If you want someone who's "been there, done that" at CRO level → hire a former CRO
If you want 9am Tuesday sessions → I'm not your coach
If you need hand-holding daily → I don't have bandwidth for that

I AM for you if:

You want someone in the trenches RIGHT NOW
You value current over past experience
You're a skeptical sales leader who hates outdated advice
You want a coach who gets what you're dealing with TODAY

The Bottom Line

Most coaches are former executives. That's not bad. But it's not the only model.

Active practitioners bring something different: Currency
The world changes fast. Experience from 5 years ago is dated.
I'm not coaching from memory. I'm coaching from reality.
When you work with me, you're getting someone who:
- Carried a number THIS QUARTER
- Had a forecast call THIS WEEK
- Dealt with people drama THIS MONTH
- Lives in the same world you do
Is that better than a former executive? Depends on what you need.
But if you're tired of "back in my day" stories and want "here's what's working right now" insight...
Let's talk about whether my approach fits your needs. Click below to schedule a complimentary consultation