--- title: CEO Coaching | Sterling Black description: CEO coaching and leadership advisory from coaches who have held CEO roles, with a proven methodology and 24/7 support for better judgement and stronger performance. image: https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/ceo-coaching-feature-image.jpg --- [![Sterling Black](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/sterlingblack_july2025/images/header-logo.png)](https://sterlingblack.com/) Menu Services [CEO Advisory](https://sterlingblack.com/ceo-advisory)[CEO Succession](https://sterlingblack.com/ceo-succession-planning)[Board Effectiveness](https://sterlingblack.com/board-effectiveness)[CEO & C-Suite Leadership Assessments](https://sterlingblack.com/ceo-c-suite-leadership-assessments)[CEO Coaching](https://sterlingblack.com/ceo-coaching)[C-Suite Coaching](https://sterlingblack.com/c-suite-coaching)[Executive Team Effectiveness](https://sterlingblack.com/executive-team-effectiveness)[Inspiring Leadership Communications](https://sterlingblack.com/inspiring-leadership-communications) People [James McLaren](https://sterlingblack.com/people/james-mclaren)[Our team](https://sterlingblack.com/people)[Executive Team Facilitators](https://sterlingblack.com/facilitators) [About](https://sterlingblack.com/about) [Sterling Insights](https://sterlingblack.com/blog) [Start a confidential conversation](https://sterlingblack.com/ceo-coaching#conversation) Services # CEO Coaching and Leadership Advisory. Better judgement. Greater impact. Stronger performance. Driving leadership performance at the highest level. [Start a confidential conversation](https://sterlingblack.com/ceo-coaching#conversation) The demands of the CEO role go well beyond technical or commercial expertise. Success depends on the quality of your decisions, the people around you and your ability to lead through uncertainty and change. Sterling Black works with CEOs to address the leadership issues that have the greatest bearing on their effectiveness and the performance of their business. The work is direct, practical and tailored to the individual. It may involve challenging assumptions, working through a difficult decision, examining feedback from the organisation or developing a different approach to a persistent leadership problem. It is not coaching for its own sake. It is about becoming more effective in the role and making a greater contribution to the business. If there’s one thing all CEOs face, it’s pressure. Whether stepping into the role for the first time, driving a new strategy or navigating a crisis, every decision CEOs make shapes shareholder confidence, market perception and organisational culture. Coaching provides CEOs with an external, unbiased perspective in the midst of these challenges. It is a strategic partnership in which the CEO can build their skills and change behaviour. The goal is to enhance leadership performance and impact, whether dealing with crises or the day-to-day of running an organisation. ## When CEOs engage us - A new role - A change in strategy - Executive-team issues - Board challenges - A major transformation - Feedback that requires a change in approach ## How the work proceeds 1. **Establish the priorities** 2. **Agree what needs to change** 3. **Work through real business situations** 4. **Review progress** ![Profile picture of James Mclaren in a suit and tie](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Website/People/james-mclaren-profile.png) Who you will work with ## James McLaren James McLaren brings 35 years of experience in organisational psychology, including 25 years specialising in CEO Advisory, CEO succession and CEO development. Previously, he was Managing Director of PDI (Personnel Decisions International, now part of Korn Ferry Consulting), based in New York. He holds MBAs from Columbia Business School and London Business School. [Full profile →](https://sterlingblack.com/people/james-mclaren) Looking for a broader advisory relationship rather than coaching? [CEO Advisory →](https://sterlingblack.com/ceo-advisory) ## The Sterling Black difference ### Experts in CEO coaching Our CEO coaches have all held CEO positions themselves, have many years’ experience developing CEOs and know exactly how to teach the skills for success. ### Results-driven methodology While some coaching businesses let the participants self-direct, our coaches drive the process. Using a structured approach, they identify the CEO’s areas for improvement and guide their development. ### Access to a network of experts All our CEOs can leverage our network of experts for advice in situations involving areas such as crisis communications, governance, legal, compensation and government relations. ### Availability when it matters We know that crises can occur at any time and CEOs are always on the job, so our coaches are available 24/7 to provide support around emerging issues. ## Our approach ### Chemistry meeting with their matched CEO coach ### Expert CEO skills advice and teaching ### Customised approach based on their specific needs ### Access to development materials and expertise ### 24/7 support for leadership skill building ## Experienced CEO coaches for every leader and industry [Explore our full list of CEO coaches →](https://sterlingblack.com/c-suite-ceo-coaches) Our clients ## Our clients ![Siemens](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Website/2026-10%20refresh/siemens.png)![GE](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Website/2026-10%20refresh/ge.png)![Honeywell](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Website/2026-10%20refresh/honeywell.png)![IBM](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Website/Client%20Logos/IBM.png)![J.P. Morgan](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Website/Client%20Logos/J.P.%20Morgan.png)![Goldman Sachs](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Website/Client%20Logos/Goldman%20Sachs.png)![Citibank](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Website/Client%20Logos/Citibank.png)![Johnson & Johnson](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Website/Client%20Logos/Johnson%20%26%20Johnson.png)![HP](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Website/Client%20Logos/HP.png)![KPMG](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Website/Client%20Logos/KPMG.png)![Grant Thornton](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Website/Client%20Logos/Grant%20Thornton.png)![Rio Tinto](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Website/Client%20Logos/Rio%20Tinto.png)![Ashurst Perkins Coie](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Website/2026-10%20refresh/ashurst-perkins-coie.png)![Westpac](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Website/Client%20Logos/Westpac.png)![Telstra](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Website/Client%20Logos/Telstra.png)![QBE](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Website/2026-10%20refresh/qbe.png)![Australian Government](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Website/2026-10%20refresh/australian-government.png) Insights ## Recent Sterling Insights ### [![What separates effective executive coaching from expensive conversations](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/effective-executive-coaching-vs-mentoring.jpg) What separates effective executive coaching from expensive conversations While characteristics like active listening, facilitating learning, and earning trust and respect are important in an executive coach, progress can still be non-existent if your coach doesn’t do one... Read more](https://sterlingblack.com/blog/effective-executive-coaching-vs-mentoring-vs-facilitating) ### [![Why modern executive coaching demands better intelligence](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Blog%20Feature%20Images/modern-executive-coaching-demands-better-intelligence.jpg) Why modern executive coaching demands better intelligence What if the executive coaching your business is investing in isn’t solving the right problems? Globally, businesses spend more than USD 105 billion on executive coaching and leadership development... Read more](https://sterlingblack.com/blog/executive-coaching-demands-better-intelligence) ### [![Why succession planning fails: 6 board-level mistakes to avoid](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Blog%20Feature%20Images/why-succession-planning-fails.jpg) Why succession planning fails: 6 board-level mistakes to avoid Summary To avoid the pitfalls of failed succession planning, boards should: Start early – at least 2 years, but ideally 3–5 years, before a transition. Treat succession as a development process, not... Read more](https://sterlingblack.com/blog/why-succession-planning-fails) Start a confidential conversation ## Every engagement begins with a discussion. About the business, the challenges you are facing and what you want to achieve. [![Sterling Black](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/sterlingblack_july2025/images/header-logo.png)](https://sterlingblack.com/) #### [Contact](https://sterlingblack.com/contact) **UAE HEAD OFFICE** The Offices 3 Level 3 One Central Dubai World Trade Centre Sheikh Zayed Road Dubai United Arab Emirates **AUSTRALIA** Level 22, Suite 3 8 Chifley Square SYDNEY, NSW 2000 Ph: (02) 8916 6366 #### Services [CEO Advisory](https://sterlingblack.com/ceo-advisory)[Board Effectiveness](https://sterlingblack.com/board-effectiveness)[CEO Succession](https://sterlingblack.com/ceo-succession-planning)[CEO & C-Suite Leadership Assessments](https://sterlingblack.com/ceo-c-suite-leadership-assessments)[CEO Coaching](https://sterlingblack.com/ceo-coaching)[C-Suite Coaching](https://sterlingblack.com/c-suite-coaching)[Executive Team Effectiveness](https://sterlingblack.com/executive-team-effectiveness)[Inspiring Communications](https://sterlingblack.com/inspiring-leadership-communications) #### [About](https://sterlingblack.com/about) We are a specialist Board, CEO and C-Suite firm bringing together the world’s most experienced practitioners. 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