Executive Coaching & Strategic Advisory
When the stakes are high, leadership stops being theoretical.
Confidential coaching and strategic advisory for CEOs, founders, and senior leaders navigating complexity, growth, and consequence.
By application • Limited capacity • UK & global clients
What this work is for
- Decisions with second-order consequences
- High-trust leadership in uncertain conditions
- Clarity, influence, and execution under pressure
- Building culture that compounds value
This is not coaching for comfort. It’s leadership work for consequence.
Who this is for
- CEOs, founders, COOs, senior executives
- Leaders responsible for people, capital, and direction
- Those navigating growth, transition, politics, pressure
- Leaders who want thinking partnership, not motivation
Who this is not for
- Accountability check-ins without strategic depth
- Generic frameworks or “one-size-fits-all” programmes
- Those unwilling to examine decision-making and behaviour
- People looking for therapy or emotional processing
Most leadership problems aren’t visible until they’re expensive.
By the time leadership issues show up as culture drift, talent loss, strategy confusion, board tension, or execution failure, the cost has already compounded.
What looks like a “people issue” is often a decision bottleneck, a misaligned operating rhythm, or a narrative failure at the top. This work intervenes before the damage becomes visible.
Start here
Start with diagnosis, not assumptions.
Every engagement begins with The Executive Edge — a structured diagnostic designed to reveal where leadership performance is actually breaking down. Not personality. Not preference. Pressure, context, and consequence.
- Decision-making under pressure
- Strategic clarity and trade-offs
- Culture and behavioural signals
- Authority, influence, and trust
- Risk, resilience, and leadership load
- Priorities and next steps
Engagement Options
Start with diagnosis, then move into coaching or advisory when the path is clear.
Executive Edge Diagnostic
Clarity before commitment.
- Leadership performance map (pressure, context, consequence)
- Priority focus areas + risks
- Recommended next steps (if appropriate)
By application • Limited capacity
Executive Coaching
A confidential thinking partnership for complex leadership.
- Monthly or bi-monthly sessions (6–12 months)
- Decision preparation + debrief
- Operating rhythm + leadership load support
Best after the diagnostic
Strategic Advisory (Retainer)
Ongoing strategic access for CEOs, founders, and senior teams.
- Access between sessions (agreed cadence)
- Strategic alignment + narrative support
- Culture & execution: what’s really blocking performance
By invitation / application
Frequently Asked Questions
These answers are here to clarify fit, not to persuade.
This work is diagnostic-led and context-driven. We focus on decision-making under pressure, leadership systems, and second-order consequences — not generic behaviour change or accountability check-ins.
Most clients describe it as strategic thinking partnership rather than “coaching” as they’ve previously experienced it.
Because assumptions are expensive.
The Executive Edge diagnostic ensures we’re working on the right problem before committing time, energy, or investment. It also allows both of us to decide whether a deeper engagement makes sense.
Both.
Many engagements begin with an individual leader and evolve into executive team or advisory work where appropriate. The diagnostic helps determine the right level of intervention.
This work requires honesty, reflection, and a willingness to examine how you make decisions — especially under pressure.
If you’re looking for light-touch support or surface-level coaching, this is unlikely to be the right fit.
Completely confidential.
This is a private, high-trust engagement. No content is shared, reused, or referenced without explicit permission.
That’s a valid outcome.
Many leaders find the diagnostic alone provides clarity and direction. If further work isn’t appropriate, you’ll still leave with a clear leadership performance map and next steps.
Proof & credibility
I work with senior leaders across finance, insurance, technology, professional services, and mission-driven organisations — particularly where decisions are complex and the cost of drift is high.
“David helped me name what was really going on — and act on it with confidence. The clarity was immediate.”
— Senior Leader“This wasn’t coaching as motivation. It was strategic partnership. Calm, sharp, and deeply practical.”
— ExecutiveIf this resonates, the next step is simple.
I don’t believe in selling before diagnosis. If you want to explore working together, start with the Executive Edge Diagnostic.
You’ll hear back within 2–3 business days.
Prefer email?
Send a short note with your role, context, and what’s at stake.
Email: hello@davidmcqueen.co.uk
If it’s a fit, we’ll suggest the right entry point.