I remember one of my first coaching sessions with a C-suite exec. It was face to face, in an awe inspiring building in the centre of London.
The coachee was confident, sharp and clearly used to being in control of every meeting they walked into. Meanwhile, I was doing my best to keep my breathing steady and my imposter syndrome quiet.
Despite knowing how to manage my own emotions, I felt my confidence falter.
It surprised me. I was a well qualified coach, I had worked with many senior leaders, and intellectually, I knew I had value to offer. But sitting across from someone with decades of leadership experience, a global role, and a calendar booked months in advance… I felt out of my depth.
As coaches, we acknowledge the importance of the relationship—not hierarchy. Yet we’re human, too. And when someone walks in with a powerful title or an impressive résumé, it can stir up our own doubts. What if I don’t challenge them enough? What if I challenge them too much? Will they think I’m as good as my C.V. proudly states?
The memory of that coaching session was triggered by a similar experience shared by a recent supervisee. As we explored what was happening unconsciously for them, looking at the situation from a variety of perspectives, a key learning was when they realised that senior clients aren’t looking for someone to impress them. They’re looking for someone to meet them where they are – and for who they are – beyond their title. To be fully present. To listen deeply, and yes, to challenge them in ways few others do.
Going back to my situation all those years ago, once I stopped trying to prove my worth, I started to embody it. I stopped filling silences and started trusting the space. I stopped listening to my own internal voice and started paying attention to theirs with curiosity and courage. And that’s when the real magic began.
Senior leaders often live in environments where vulnerability is risky and honesty is rare. When they step into a coaching space that’s grounded, safe, and ego-free, they feel it immediately. And they relax and start to open. That’s where the work happens.
So, if you ever feel intimidated by a senior client, remember that it’s okay. It’s normal. But don’t let it undermine you. Use it as a mirror. Reflect on what’s being triggered in you—and why (and take it to supervision!) Then breathe, ground yourself, and remember that your job isn’t to be the expert in their world. It’s to help them see their world, and how they operate in it, more clearly.
Helen Isacke, founder of Trusted Coach Directory is also an EMCC Accredited Coach Supervisor. As a reflective partner, Helen works with coaches who are keen to learn and grow on a professional and personal level through exploring their client work and coaching practice. With 20+ years’ experience of professional coaching, Helen brings a wealth of experience having trained in various coaching models including NLP, Clean Language, FIRO Theory, TA101 and a range of profiling tools.