Bill Gates once remarked, “Everyone needs a coach… We all need people that give us feedback. That’s how we improve.”
He’s not alone in that belief. Some of the most successful and influential figures in modern history have relied on coaches to sharpen their skills, make better decisions, and stay grounded while operating at the highest levels. Steve Jobs (Apple), Eric Schmidt (Google), Oprah Winfrey, and even U.S. President Bill Clinton all turned to coaches at critical points in their careers.
Coaching at the Highest Levels
Take Bill Clinton. During his presidency, he worked with coaching giant Tony Robbins to help him navigate complex decisions with far-reaching global impact.
Eric Schmidt, former Google Chairman and CEO, has been one of the loudest advocates for coaching. In fact, he was so convinced of its value that he co-authored a book—Trillion Dollar Coach—to honor his mentor, Bill Campbell. Campbell, often called “the Coach of Silicon Valley,” guided tech titans like Jobs, Schmidt, and many others, shaping the leadership culture of some of the most powerful companies on earth.
Schmidt often shares the story of how coaching changed his perspective:
“A Google board member in 2002, John Doerr, told me, ‘You need a coach.’ I thought, ‘Why would I need a coach? I’m already a successful CEO—surely nothing is wrong.’ But Doerr insisted: ‘No, no, everybody needs a coach.’ So Bill Campbell became my coach, and it served Google incredibly well. Every famous athlete, every famous performer has a coach. Why? Because a coach can watch what you’re doing and offer perspective you can’t see yourself. The one thing people are never good at is seeing themselves as others see them. A coach really, really helps.”
The Power of Coaching Closer to Home
This isn’t just a Western phenomenon. Right here in Sri Lanka, Kasturi Chellaraja Wilson, Sri Lanka’s first woman to lead a conglomerate, openly credits her success to coaching. In a recent interview, she reflected on the role her coach played in her personal and professional growth:
“When Hemas prepared me for my first career change in 2010, there was a coach on board, and he still remains, on and off, my coach. That journey enriched me. The coach supports you to dwell inside yourself, gather inputs from people around you, and truly understand your strengths and blind spots. That self-awareness has been invaluable—not just in my corporate life, but in my personal life too.”
She went on to describe how her coach helped her see that while her directness was a strength, it sometimes required adjustment depending on the audience. “My self-awareness journey came only with my coach. I must be honest. He taught me the importance of self-awareness, and that lesson continues to shape both my leadership and my personal relationships.”
In my own coaching journey, I’ve managed to help a senior bank manager to transition into a successful CEO at a foreign bank, a smart young financial controller who’s well on her way to becoming a major CFO, and a business unit head to recover from burnout. Their growth and transformation was nothing short of inspiring – and fulfilling.
Why Coaching Matters for You
The stories of Clinton, Gates, Schmidt, Wilson, and Winfrey may sound extraordinary, but the lesson is universal: coaching is not just for world leaders, CEOs, or celebrities. Coaching is about unlocking your potential, seeing yourself more clearly, and cultivating the skills that set you apart.
A good coach helps you:
- Heighten self-awareness (seeing yourself as others see you).
- Strengthen self-regulation (managing your emotions and actions more effectively).
- Develop empathy and social skills (crucial for leadership and collaboration).
- Boost self-motivation (staying focused on your goals).
- Elevate leadership abilities (influencing and inspiring others).
In short: coaching isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity.
If the best in the world, from presidents to tech moguls to pioneering CEOs, believe in coaching, why shouldn’t you?
The truth is, everybody needs a coach. And that includes you.