Executive Coaching Expands Beyond CXOs as Indian Companies Seek New Retention Strategies

Executive coaching in Indian corporations is undergoing a significant transformation, expanding from an exclusive CXO privilege to a broader leadership development tool targeting high-potential managers. This strategic shift comes as companies grapple with talent retention challenges amid slower salary growth, evolving leadership expectations, and rapid technological change.

Hinduja Group Leads Expansion Initiative

The Hinduja Group exemplifies this trend with its comprehensive coaching program launching this month. The initiative demonstrates the scale and strategic importance companies are placing on executive development.

Amit Chincholikar, group president–HR at Hinduja Group, explains the evolution: "The emphasis has shifted from purely number-driven and outcomes-based leadership to leaders who are self aware, authentic, open to vulnerability, and able to bring empathy and even humour into their leadership style."

Coaching Economics and Market Dynamics

The financial landscape supporting this coaching expansion reflects both investment commitment and market pressures. Certified executive coaches typically charge ₹50,000–₹60,000 for a 90-minute session, representing a substantial but strategic investment for companies.

Employee cost analysis reveals the broader context driving these retention strategies:

This data highlights the pressure on margins and limitations of compensation-led retention strategies, making coaching an attractive alternative investment.

Established Corporate Programs Show Results

Several major business groups have formalized coaching initiatives with measurable outcomes. The RPG Group, spanning IT services to tire manufacturing, maintains a structured approach to executive development.

Udayan Dutt, president - group HR at RPG Group, emphasizes the strategic nature: "Investment in coaching signifies our faith, commitment, and investment in our leaders to lead their business and people now and in the future."

The Aditya Birla Group's nearly decade-long program demonstrates the maturation of corporate coaching initiatives:

Evolving Leadership Requirements

The expansion reflects fundamental changes in leadership expectations since the pandemic. Boards and shareholders now demand leaders who can navigate uncertainty, manage multi-generational teams, and adapt to artificial intelligence and digital disruption. Mahrukh Bandorawalla, an executive coach with 18 years of experience, notes the complexity: "CXOs today have less time to take critical decisions" due to business complexity, ambiguity, speed requirements, and workforce management challenges.

Unlike traditional training programs, coaching focuses on building self-awareness and decision-making capabilities rather than providing direct answers. Coaches listen, ask questions, and challenge assumptions to help executives develop their own insights and long-term leadership transformation.

Strategic Investment Beyond Compensation

As companies face retention challenges in a relatively cold job market, coaching represents a strategic shift from purely compensation-based retention to development-focused investment. This approach demonstrates company commitment to employee career growth while managing payroll pressures. The trend indicates that executive coaching has evolved from a corrective measure for senior leaders to a proactive development tool for building organizational leadership capability across multiple levels.