Who It’s For: Entrepreneurs, Senior Business Leaders, Managers, Sales Professionals, Female Leaders, and R&D, Innovation, DEI, and Other Critical Teams
How to Ask Your Company to Pay for Executive Leadership Coaching (and Why It’s Worth It)
Darlene Hawley
Want your company to pay for executive leadership coaching? Learn how to ask with clarity and confidence, plus a sample email script to get the conversation started.
When I was first promoted into leadership, there was no formal training program or structured support. My manager mentored me as best they could, but the company didn’t offer any real leadership development. I was serving, observing, and learning as I went.
I remember sitting in meetings, unsure how to speak up… even when I had ideas that could truly make a difference. I was nervous to give feedback, and I was leading my friends. I was working hard, but inside I felt like I was winging it and struggling to feel like I could get their buy-in.
Back then, I didn’t even know executive coaching existed.
Now, having supported hundreds of leaders and entrepreneurs over the years, I see just how powerful it is to have someone walk beside you... to help you see your blind spots, find your voice, and lead with confidence.
And here’s something a lot of people don’t realize:
you don’t always have to pay for it yourself. Many organizations have budgets to support leadership development, you just have to ask.
If you’re ready to grow, here’s how to confidently ask your company to support you in getting the coaching you need.
1. Start with Your “Why”
Before you make the request, get clear on why you want coaching. What are you working toward? What challenges are you navigating?
Maybe you want to…
- Lead your team more effectively
- Show up with confidence in high-stakes meetings
- Position yourself for a promotion
- Communicate with clarity and presence
- Be invite to speak at conferences or be a guest on a panel
- Learn how to have hard conversations with less anxiety
- Position yourself as a thought leader in your industry
The more specific you can be, the easier it is for your organization to see the value in supporting you. This also helps you advocate for yourself without second-guessing.
2. Show How It Connects to the Company’s Goals
Coaching isn't just about you (though you're 100% worth it). It also benefits your team, your department, and your organization.
You can say things like:
“I want to strengthen my communication skills so I can lead my team more effectively.”
“I’ve noticed some challenges with cross-functional collaboration, and I’d like support navigating that.”
“I’m preparing to take on a bigger leadership role, and I want to make sure I’m showing up with confidence and clarity.”
In my work, I’ve helped clients increase team performance, navigate conflict, improve presentations, build more inclusive teams, and lead initiatives that create real impact. Your growth is your company’s gain.
3. Do Your Research First
Check to see if your organization has professional development funds or a leadership training budget. You might:
- Review the employee handbook or intranet
- Ask HR or your direct manager what’s available
- Talk to a colleague who has received external coaching or attended a leadership retreat
Even if there’s no formal policy, many companies have discretionary budgets. You’d be surprised how often the answer is yes when you make a clear, thoughtful request.
4. Make the Ask with Confidence
Once you’ve done your prep, make the ask. Keep it professional, future-focused, and aligned with your goals and the company’s goals.
Here’s a simple script you can use (tweak to fit your voice and goals):
Email Template
Subject: Executive Coaching Request
Hi [Manager/HR Name],
(Start with a personal sentence or two.)
I’ve been reflecting on ways I can grow as a leader and continue contributing at a higher level. One area I’d like to focus on is [insert your focus: e.g., communication, executive presence, team leadership].
I’ve identified an executive coach who supports professionals like me with developing stronger leadership skills, navigating career growth, and showing up with more clarity and confidence. I believe working with a coach will help me grow faster and more intentionally, and ultimately be an even stronger asset to the team.
I’m wondering if there’s a professional development budget that could support this? I’d love to chat and share more about how this aligns with my goals and the organization’s priorities.
Thanks so much for considering,
[Your Name]
5. Have a Plan B
Not every company says yes. That doesn’t mean you don’t deserve support.
If your request is declined or funding isn’t available or even put on hold at the moment, I want to gently encourage you to invest in yourself. You don’t need to wait for permission to grow.
I’ve had clients pay out-of-pocket for 1:1 coaching or a VIP Day because they knew the clarity, confidence, and tools they’d gain would serve them for years to come... not just in their current role, but in everything they build next.
You’re Worth the Investment
Whether you’re climbing the leadership ladder, navigating a big transition, or simply ready to feel more confident and aligned in your role... you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Your growth benefits everyone around you. Don’t be afraid to ask for support.
And if you’d like help having this conversation (you know your girl loves to role play) or want to explore coaching together, I’m here. I work with executive women, rising leaders, and heart-centered entrepreneurs who are ready to step into the next chapter of their career with clarity, presence, and power.
You’ve got this. And you don’t have to do it alone.
Schedule a quick 30-minute strategy call, and let's see how I can best support you in reaching your goal.
✨Ready to Own Your Story and Attract Your Dream Clients?✨
If you’re ready to stop second-guessing your message and start using storytelling as a powerful tool to connect, inspire, and sell—then I’d love to invite you to my It’s Time to Own Your Story: Mini-Course.
In this self-paced course, you’ll learn how to:
✔️ Identify the key moments in your story that captivate your audience.
✔️ Share your story in a way that builds trust and positions you as the go-to expert.
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Plus, you’ll get a
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Hey There!
I'm Darlene
As a mother, wife, connector, and dream builder, I’m Darlene Hawley, the founder of DarleneHawley.com and an Executive Leadership & Businesss Coach dedicated to empowering leaders like you.
My passion lies in helping ambitious professionals cultivate their unique leadership style while crafting an authentic and impactful personal brand. Through my coaching, we’ll work together to build a solid foundation that not only inspires your team but also drives results and growth within your organization.
Since 2007, I have been committed to guiding leaders and entrepreneurs in launching and scaling their businesses with confidence and clarity.
Today, I focus on supporting women in reaching their leadership goals and living their dream lives—all while balancing the joys of raising my family and creating meaningful memories each day.
Together, we’ll transform your challenges into opportunities, allowing you to lead with authenticity and inspire those around you.
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When you're talking but no one's listening. Have you ever introduced yourself at a networking event… only to feel like people’s eyes glazed over? One of my clients put it perfectly: “Darlene, I share who I am and what I do, but it feels like I’m invisible. People nod politely and then move on.” She had so much value to offer. In fact, she is amazing at what she did. Yet, her introduction was all over the place. Some days she was talking to potential clients, other days to possible collaborators, and sometimes even she wasn’t sure what her main point was. And that’s why it felt like no one was listening. Why This Happens It’s not because you’re not experienced enough. It’s not because you’re not interesting enough. It’s because without clarity about who your audience is in the room and what you really want to say, your voice gets lost in the shuffle of business cards and conversations. Networking rooms are full of people competing for attention. If your message doesn’t connect directly... if it doesn’t make them pause, lean in and say, “Tell me more” ... it disappears before they even leave the event. The Shift When this client and I worked together, the first thing we did was get crystal clear about: Who she most wanted to reach in the room. What those people actually cared about. How her work specifically helped them. Once she had that clarity, her introductions started sounding different... more direct, more alive, more her. And the result? People leaned in. Instead of walking away, they asked questions. They followed up after the event. They booked time with her. Because when you find your voice and know exactly who you’re talking to, you stop being forgettable. You become someone people can’t ignore. This is exactly what we’ll be diving into in Session 1 of my Attract & Stand Out Framework: Getting clear on who your audience is. Knowing what you want to say. Communicating how you help in a way that truly connects... whether you’re introducing yourself in a room or on stage. It’s not just about having the words, it’s about the confidence to say them out loud too... with presence, authority, and ease. If you’ve been walking out of networking events feeling overlooked, let this be a gentle nudge: ~ You don’t need to try harder. ~ You don’t need to stuff more into your intro. ~ You need clarity... on your audience, your message, and your voice. That’s where visibility begins. That’s how you go from overlooked to unforgettable. Think about the last time you introduced yourself at a networking event. Could the right person in the room... your dream client or collaborator... hear you and say: “That’s me. She gets it”? ________________________________________________________ 🌀 Nervous System Regulator: The 4-7-8 Reset Feeling that anxious butterfly sensation before you introduce yourself? Try this right before you speak: Inhale quietly through your nose for a count of 4. Hold your breath for a count of 7. Exhale slowly and fully through your mouth for a count of 8. Repeat this 3–4 times. It only takes a minute, but it tells your nervous system: You’re safe. You’ve got this. When your body is calm, your voice comes through with more presence and power... and people remember you. ✨ Ready to stop feeling overlooked at networking events? Download my free guide, 6 Steps to Attract & Stand Out, and discover how to clarify your message, show up with confidence, and connect with the people who matter most. Grab it here »
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