The basics
What is executive coaching?
Executive coaching is a confidential, one-on-one professional relationship in which a trained coach helps a senior leader gain self-awareness, think more clearly, and change specific behaviors to improve their own and their organization’s performance. See What is executive coaching?.
What does an executive coach do?
An executive coach listens, asks questions that surface assumptions, shares feedback and observations, challenges the leader’s thinking, and holds them accountable for commitments. The coach does not do the leader’s job or supply ready-made answers.
How is coaching different from mentoring or consulting?
A mentor shares their own experience and advice. A consultant delivers expert solutions to business problems. A coach develops the leader’s own capacity through questions, feedback, and structured reflection. See Coaching vs. mentoring vs. consulting vs. therapy.
Is executive coaching only for leaders with problems?
No. Most executive coaching is developmental. Organizations invest in leaders they value, especially at moments of transition, growth, and succession.
Does executive coaching work?
Published meta-analyses of workplace coaching report positive effects on performance, skills, well-being, and goal attainment. Results in any single case depend on the leader’s commitment, the coach’s skill, and the support of the organization.
What is team coaching?
Team coaching is a sustained engagement in which a coach works with an intact team together to improve how it performs as a unit. See Team coaching explained.
The process
How long does executive coaching last?
Most engagements run six to twelve months. Six months is a common minimum for behavior change that others notice.
How often do coaching sessions happen?
Typically every two to three weeks, for 60 to 90 minutes.
What happens in an executive coaching engagement?
Matching and contracting, an assessment such as a 360, goal setting with the sponsor, regular sessions with practice in between, and a final review. See How executive coaching works, step by step.
What is a 360 assessment?
A 360 collects anonymous feedback about a leader from their boss or board, peers, and direct reports, and compares it with the leader’s self-rating. See 360 assessments and the Leadership Circle Profile.
Can executive coaching be done remotely?
Yes. Coaching by video or phone is standard practice and is as common as in-person coaching.
How do I choose an executive coach?
Look for experience with leaders at your level, formal training, a clear process, firm confidentiality, and personal fit. Interview two or three and check references. See How to choose an executive coach.
Cost and value
How much does executive coaching cost?
Fees vary widely with the coach’s seniority, the level of the leader, the length of the engagement, and what is included. Executive coaching is usually priced as a fixed fee for a six- or twelve-month engagement rather than by the hour. Ask providers for an all-in price. See Executive coaching cost and return on investment.
Who pays for executive coaching?
Usually the employer. For a credit union CEO, the board typically approves it as part of the CEO’s development plan.
How do you measure the return on coaching?
By goal attainment, follow-up feedback from the people who work with the leader, and organizational indicators such as retention and succession readiness. See How to measure executive coaching outcomes.
Confidentiality
Is executive coaching confidential?
Yes. Session content stays between the leader and the coach. The sponsor normally knows the goals and hears about progress from the leader. See Confidentiality in executive coaching.
Does the coach report to the board?
Not on the content of sessions. The board chair typically takes part in setting goals and receives progress updates from the CEO.
Who sees a leader’s 360 results?
In a development-focused engagement, only the leader and the coach, unless the leader chooses to share them.
Credit union questions
Why do credit unions use executive coaching?
Mainly for CEO development, succession readiness, onboarding and promoting executives, navigating growth and mergers, and building cohesive executive teams. See When credit unions use executive coaching: ten common situations.
Does a credit union need a coach who knows the industry?
It helps. A coach who understands cooperative governance, volunteer boards, and the regulatory environment can be useful sooner. Coaching skill and senior-level experience remain the first requirements.
Is a succession plan required for credit unions?
Yes, for federally insured credit unions. An NCUA rule effective January 1, 2026 requires boards to establish a written succession plan and review it at least every 24 months. See Credit union succession planning.
How many credit unions are there in the United States?
There were 4,214 federally insured credit unions with 146.1 million members and $2.50 trillion in assets as of June 30, 2026, according to the NCUA. See Credit union leadership today: the landscape.
Is executive coaching worthwhile for small credit unions?
Yes. Small credit unions depend heavily on one or two leaders, so developing the chief executive and a successor is especially important. Formats such as group coaching and shorter engagements make it affordable. See Coaching for credit unions under $100 million.
How does coaching differ by credit union size?
Smaller institutions focus on the CEO and a successor; mid-size ones on building the executive team; larger ones coach across the senior team, add team coaching, and build internal capability. See How coaching needs change with credit union asset size.
Should a credit union board pay for the CEO’s coach?
In most cases yes. A more effective chief executive benefits the whole institution, and the cost is small relative to the risks of CEO underperformance or a failed transition. See A board's guide to executive coaching.
About Syntrina Leadership
What is Syntrina Leadership?
Syntrina Leadership is a boutique executive coaching firm serving the credit union movement. It offers one-on-one executive coaching, leadership team development, and keynote speaking.
Who does Syntrina Leadership work with?
Executive leaders and their teams at credit unions across the United States.
What does Syntrina Leadership’s one-on-one coaching include?
A confidential six-month engagement that includes the Leadership Circle Profile 360 assessment, bi-weekly coaching sessions by video or phone, and periodic progress reviews. Details are on the one-on-one coaching page.
What is Syntrina Leadership’s team development work?
Custom engagements for executive teams, designed with the CEO around two to three success criteria and built on a “First Team First” approach. Details are on the team development page.
Who founded Syntrina Leadership?
The firm’s co-founders are Susanne Biro, a master coach and author; Carrie Birkhofer, President and CEO of Bay Federal Credit Union; and Christopher Beltran, an entrepreneur. See the About page.
How do I start a conversation with Syntrina Leadership?
Book a 15-minute introductory call through the contact page or email coaching@syntrinaleadership.com.
This page is educational and general in nature. It is not legal, regulatory, or clinical advice. Questions or corrections: coaching@syntrinaleadership.com.