Executive coaching vs team coaching: key differences and when to use each

Coaching has become one of the most powerful tools for developing leaders and teams, but not all coaching works in the same way. Whether you’re supporting a senior executive or an entire leadership team, the approach you choose can make a substantial difference to the results. So, what’s the real difference between executive coaching and team coaching - and how do you know which one is right for your organisation?

What is executive coaching?

Executive coaching is a one-to-one, personalised development process designed to help senior leaders enhance their performance, self-awareness and decision-making. It focuses on the individual’s goals, challenges and aspirations within the context of their role and organisation.

An executive coach acts as a thinking partner, providing a confidential space for reflection and growth. Common objectives include:

• Improving leadership presence and communication
• Navigating organisational change
• Managing stress and building resilience
• Developing strategic thinking and influencing skills

The impact of executive coaching is often profound because it addresses the leader’s mindset and behaviours, enabling sustainable change that ripples through the organisation.

What is team coaching?

Team coaching, by contrast, is about collective performance. It works with an intact team - such as a leadership team or project team - to improve how members collaborate, communicate and achieve shared goals. Rather than focusing on individual development, team coaching looks at the team as a system.

A team coach helps the group explore dynamics, clarify purpose and strengthen relationships. Typical outcomes include:

• Greater alignment around vision and priorities
• Improved trust and psychological safety
• Enhanced problem-solving and decision-making
• Increased accountability and shared leadership

Team coaching is particularly valuable when organisations need high-performing teams to drive transformation, innovation or complex projects.

Introducing systemic team coaching®

Systemic team coaching® takes this concept further by recognising that teams do not operate in isolation - they exist within a wider organisational and stakeholder system. This approach looks beyond the team’s internal dynamics and considers its relationships with customers, suppliers, investors and other key stakeholders.

A systemic team coach can collaborate with the team to:

• Understand its purpose in relation to the organisation’s strategy
• Engage effectively with external stakeholders
• Balance internal collaboration with external demands
• Create value for the whole system, not just the team itself

This broader perspective is essential in today’s interconnected world, where success depends on how well teams navigate complexity and deliver value across multiple relationships.

Key differences at a glance

When to use executive coaching

Executive coaching is ideal when:

• A leader is stepping into a new role or facing a significant challenge
• There is a need to develop specific leadership competencies
• Confidentiality and personal reflection are critical
• The organisation wants to accelerate the growth of high-potential talent

When to use team coaching

Team coaching is the right choice when:

• A leadership team needs to work more effectively together
• There are silos or conflict affecting collaboration
• The organisation is undergoing major change or transformation
• The team must deliver complex outcomes under pressure

When to use systemic team coaching®

Systemic team coaching® is most effective when:

• The team plays a critical role in delivering organisational strategy
• Success depends on managing multiple stakeholder relationships
• The organisation is navigating complexity or large-scale transformation
• There is a need to create value beyond the team itself

When to combine approaches

In many cases, organisations benefit from a blended approach. For example, executive coaching can support individual leaders while systemic team coaching® strengthens the collective and its connections to the wider system. Together, they create a powerful synergy that drives organisational success.

Making the right choice for your organisation

Executive coaching, team coaching and systemic team coaching® are not interchangeable - they serve different purposes and deliver unique benefits. By understanding the distinctions and choosing the right approach for the right context, organisations can unlock individual potential, team effectiveness and systemic impact.