The Real ROI of Working With a Business Growth Coach
And Why It Can Go Negative Without This One Crucial Factor
When most business owners or executives invest in a coach, they are looking for results.
Whether it is growth, clarity, better leadership, or more control over the business, there is an expectation of return on investment (ROI).
And rightly so.
But here is what many people do not realise: Working with a coach does not guarantee ROI. In fact, without implementation and accountability, it can become a cost rather than an investment.
This article explains why, and how to ensure your coaching delivers real commercial impact.
What Is the Real ROI of Coaching?
According to research by the International Coaching Federation (ICF):
86 percent of companies say they recouped their coaching investment
70 percent reported improved work performance
51 percent saw better team effectiveness and communication
But these results depend on one thing: implementation.
ROI does not come from insight alone. It comes from action.
The Silent Killer of Coaching ROI: Lack of Implementation
Many people have experienced this pattern:
You leave a coaching session full of ideas and clarity
You gain a new framework or mindset shift
You promise yourself you will take action
Then life takes over. Emails arrive. Meetings run late. Your day fills up, and the insight never becomes action.
When this happens, the value of coaching quickly erodes.
The ROI of coaching becomes negative when you invest in insight but fail to act on it.
Even worse, you might start to doubt coaching entirely.
But in most cases, it is not the coach that failed. It is the absence of a system for action and accountability.
Insight Without Action Is Just Expensive Inspiration
Coaching is not therapy.
It is not about feeling better. It is about doing better.
If your business or executive coach is not helping you:
Turn insight into action
Convert strategy into execution
Hold you accountable over time
Then what you are paying for is not growth, but conversation.
What Real ROI from Coaching Looks Like
To achieve measurable return on investment, a coaching relationship must include three essential ingredients:
1. Clear Outcomes
There must be clarity on what you are trying to achieve:
Revenue growth
Leadership development
Team accountability
Strategic decision-making
Coaching ROI is always stronger when it is tied to a clearly defined transformation.
2. A Bias for Implementation
You do not need more theory. You need forward movement.
Effective coaching drives:
Simpler decisions
Consistent action
Practical momentum
3. Structured Accountability
The best coaches do not just support you. They challenge you.
They remind you of your goals, track your commitments, and push you through resistance when progress gets hard.
This is where real change happens.
Local Businesses, Global Lessons
Whether you are a founder in London, a managing director in Manchester, or an entrepreneur in Bristol, the pattern is the same:
Coaching delivers ROI only when paired with clear implementation and sustained accountability.
We have seen companies across the UK unlock two to three times their coaching investment within a year.
Not because they hired the loudest voice, but because they put systems in place that ensured action.
Is Your Coaching Investment Paying Off?
If you are already working with a coach, or considering one, ask yourself:
Are you measuring the return?
Are you consistently implementing the insights?
Are you being held accountable in a meaningful way?
If the answer is no, you are not the problem.
But your coaching approach might need a rethink.
Coaching is not a shortcut. It is a multiplier, but only if you take action.
Get More From Coaching
If you want to ensure your coaching delivers a measurable return, we work with growth-minded leaders to:
Turn insight into momentum
Build a simple, clear action plan
Create a system of personal accountability
Stephen work with clients across the UK, from creative agencies and property companies to construction and event companies .
đ Get in touch to explore how to unlock more value from business growth coaching.