Top 10 Business Coaches in the World

Mar 22, 2024

In the world of business, it can be overwhelming to navigate through uncertainty and competition. But don’t worry! You’re not alone on this journey. There are experienced captains ready to guide you—world-class business coaches armed with strategies and insights that can propel you to the top. In this article, we’ll explore the realm of these top-tier business mentors and unveil the 10 best business coaches worldwide. They have expertise across various industries and proven strategies, and their results are simply awe-inspiring. So, fasten your seatbelts and get ready for an enlightening journey!

1. Peter Boolkah (Best Business Coach for Business Owners and Entrepreneurs)

Website: boolkah.com

Peter Boolkah, known as ‘The Transition Guy’, is a highly regarded business coach. With his hands-on approach and unwavering commitment to achieving results, he guides business owners facing obstacles. Boolkah has been recognised for his remarkable contributions to the field, including being the first and only member from the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region to join the esteemed ActionCOACH Hall of Fame.

He has also won the Best Client Retention award from 2014 to 2019, demonstrating his dedication to clients. With over two decades of coaching experience, Boolkah’s influence extends beyond individual businesses, impacting whole communities. He has been honoured with awards for his community impact and was named the Regional Coach of the Year in 2018. Boolkah’s success as a business coach has earned him the prestigious EMEA Coach of the Year award for 2023.

His strategic coaching process starts with a thorough understanding of your company and goals, then moves on to the creation of a unique success plan. Boolkah provides continuous support and guidance throughout your journey, instilling confidence in business owners.

2. Brad Sugars

Brad Sugars, a vibrant powerhouse in the realm of entrepreneurship, brings a wealth of knowledge from his illustrious career as an accomplished author, keynote speaker, and peerless business coach who specialises in helping entrepreneurs. His journey, spanning over thirty years, has seen him rise to the helm of more than nine prosperous ventures, including the multi-million-dollar franchise ActionCOACH.

Sugars’ passion for enlightening, inspiring, and sharing his rich experiences has equipped numerous entrepreneurs and business owners with the wisdom to sidestep pitfalls and fast-track their journey to success. Known for his candid and straightforward approach, Sugars is a successful business coach and mentor who offers valuable truths over comforting lies – a quality that has drawn millions to heed his teachings and implement them over the past two decades.

3. Marshall Goldsmith

Marshall Goldsmith, one of the top titans in the domain of business coaching, is a force to be reckoned with. His pedigree as a coach is palpable, drawing an elite roster of clients from amongst the world’s top CEOs. The impact of these clients on their respective organisations is monumental, much like Goldsmith’s influence on them. The demand for his wisdom is so strong that there is a six-month waiting list for potential new clients.

Goldsmith’s coaching methodology, as distinctive as it is powerful, centres on a payment system based on results. He only receives payment following evident improvement in his clients! Importantly, the yardstick for “improvement” is not arbitrarily decided by Goldsmith or his clients. Instead, it is contingent on discernible positive evolution in predetermined leadership behaviours, as adjudged by pre-selected key stakeholders. This unique payment model not only asserts Goldsmith’s faith in his coaching prowess but also guarantees his clients witness tangible, impactful results.

Furthermore, Marshall Goldsmith is the guiding force behind ‘100 Coaches’, an influential body made up of the globe’s leading thinkers, executives, coaches, and leaders, all committed to the upliftment of others and making a substantial difference worldwide. Under Goldsmith’s watchful mentorship, ‘100 Coaches’ serves as a testament to his unwavering dedication to leadership development and his ongoing commitment to engendering positive change on an international level.

4. Tony Robbins

For over forty-five years, Tony Robbins has been a guiding light in the world of life and business coaching. His innovative coaching programs, complete with engaging audio content and educational visual aids, have enriched the lives of over 50 million people across 100 countries. Tony’s is one of the best life and business coaches to follow thanks to his unique coaching style that blends passion with a touch of humour, making the transformative journey enjoyable for millions of his followers.

As a successful entrepreneur, Robbins has an impressive portfolio of over 100 business ventures, collectively amassing annual sales exceeding $7 billion. He’s not only a business maestro but also an accomplished author, with six international bestsellers under his belt. His works, including the financial blockbuster, ‘MONEY: Master the Game’ (2014) and ‘UNSHAKEABLE: Your Financial Freedom Playbook’ (2017), offer profound insights. His latest offering, ‘LIFE FORCE’ (February 2022), delves into the transformative power of precision medicine.

Robbins’s influential role in the business world has not gone unnoticed, earning him accolades from industry-leading institutions. Accenture lauded him as one of the world’s “Top 50 Business Intellectuals,” and he was recognised by Harvard Business Press among its “Top 200 Business Gurus”. His exceptional leadership earned him a spot in American Express’s “Top Six Business Leaders Worldwide”. Fortune magazine even hailed him as the “CEO Whisperer”. For three consecutive years, Robbins has featured in the Top 50 of Worth Magazine’s 100 most powerful figures in global finance.

5. Karie Kaufmann

Renowned for her fair-minded approach to business growth, Karie Kaufmann stands as a beacon in the bustling universe of business coaching. She holds a steadfast conviction that business endeavours should enrich one’s life rather than deplete it, and this philosophy fuels her relentless drive to help clients manifest their goals.

Karie’s commendable success story includes coaching an impressive repertoire of over 1,000 businesses since 2005, using the powerful Scaling Up and ActionCOACH strategies, along with a wealth of firsthand experience. When you embark on a coaching journey with Karie, expect to receive a meticulously crafted plan for success, expert guidance to navigate obstacles, globally tested tools for business growth, and a pleasant demeanour peppered with just the right amount of wit to keep you on your toes.

Her business coaching program involves one-on-one coaching sessions for business owners and executives, overseeing strategic planning retreats, hosting public and private workshops geared towards business expansion, and delivering keynote speeches at conferences. Karie Kaufmann’s approach is designed to empower business owners to unlock their untapped potential and achieve success while enriching their lives in the process.

6. Jay Abraham

Jay Abraham, the mastermind behind The Abraham Group, Inc., has committed his professional life to solving complex business conundrums and rejuvenating businesses that have hit a plateau. His distinctive business coaching services have catalysed significant expansion in over 10,000 businesses worldwide, adeptly navigating varied hurdles and capitalising on golden opportunities. Jay’s knack for restructuring viewpoints, discovering hidden resources, realising untapped potential, rectifying underperforming sectors, and highlighting underrated opportunities is remarkable.

As such, he has garnered the esteem and admiration of top executives, global CEOs, acclaimed authors, trailblazing entrepreneurs, and marketing gurus. His clientele is as varied as it is notable, ranging from major industry players to small-scale entrepreneurs. However, they all have one thing in common – their profits have skyrocketed thanks to Jay’s guidance, resulting in many seeing their net incomes increase to millions.

Jay is renowned for his ability to challenge and deconstruct the inhibiting paradigms that hamper business growth, marking him as a true innovator in his field. He eschews the typical confines of industry-specific marketing models, opting instead to present clients with alternative, frequently more profitable and less risky, marketing strategies.

By taking successful models from a variety of industries and customising them to suit his client’s unique needs, Jay empowers them with a competitive edge. His methodology not only ensures business growth and revenue enhancement but also induces transformational change, enabling his clients’ businesses to not merely survive but flourish in their respective markets.

7. Ali Brown

Ali Brown, a formidable force in the realm of business and life coaching, is the founder and CEO of The Trust, a modern, elite community for women leaders navigating the 7 and 8-figure earnings bracket. As a trailblazer in her field, she is widely recognised as the world’s leading coach for women entrepreneurs.

Her expertise doesn’t stop there; Ali also holds the reins of the popular Glambition Radio podcast and the newly launched Reward podcast, platforms that have sculpted her as a thought leader in the business and life world. In addition to steering The Trust, Ali lends her expertise to female founders with substantial earnings, aiding them in conceptualising and strategising their trajectory towards escalated leadership, results, and societal impact.

Her coaching acumen and profound mentorship have earned her the spotlight in various media platforms such as Authority Magazine, Forbes, and CNN. Her previous ventures in coaching and consulting have graced the Inc. 500 list, which recognises the fastest-growing private companies in the nation. Ali’s exceptional contributions have been acknowledged by Forbes, who listed her as one of the ‘Women to Watch’.

She is also a proud recipient of EY’s ‘Winning Women Entrepreneurs’ accolade. Her inspiring journey was highlighted on the ABC hit primetime show, Secret Millionaire. Ali Brown’s coaching prowess, coupled with her ability to inspire, has positioned her as a top-tier business and life titan, redefining the entrepreneurial landscape for women globally.

8. James Akin-Smith

James Akin-Smith is one of the top 10 best business coaches to follow. He’s a renowned business expert and an ace in the world of business coaching, renowned for his down-to-earth methods and results-driven mentality. He is recognised within the top 3% of business coaches worldwide, a distinction earned through years spent establishing and overseeing seven successful ventures. 

His lived experience adds a layer of authenticity to his coaching prowess, giving him a special perspective on the hurdles and openings that present themselves in the business world. Akin-Smith’s advice is grounded in reality, having been on the same journey as his clients, which makes his guidance relatable, pragmatic, and priceless. He has spent over 10,000 hours providing coaching and mentoring, consistently yielding substantial returns for those he works with.

His tried-and-true Success Framework, forged from his leadership journey, helps businesses sidestep expensive mistakes and guides them on a structured path to achievement. But his coaching aspirations go beyond merely business triumphs; he’s intent on shaping businesses that don’t solely rely on their owners, thus allowing them more personal freedom and precious moments with their loved ones and pursuits.

9. Lolly Daskal

Highly respected across the globe, Lolly Daskal has carved a niche for herself as one of the top coaches in the business coaching industry, particularly in executive leadership. Her rich experience expands across 14 nations and six languages, touching numerous companies and thus furnishing her with a diversified pool of intercultural expertise.

As the torchbearer of the esteemed leadership initiative, Lead From Within, she is on a mission to embolden leaders to excel and leave a profound influence. Leveraging modern science, philosophy, and almost thirty years of coaching high-profile executives, Lolly’s pioneering leadership style continues to challenge the norms to procure exceptional outcomes. She has been showered with many awards for her contributions. Inc.com identifies her as a Top-50 Leadership and Management Expert, and Inc. magazine included her in its list of 100 Great Leadership Speakers for Your Next Event.

The Huffington Post has honoured her with the prestigious title of The Most Inspiring Woman in the World. Her profound writings have found a place in renowned publications such as HBR, Inc.com, Fast Company, Huffington Post, and Psychology Today. She is also the author of the Wall Street Journal Bestseller, “The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness.” Hundreds of companies, from large conglomerates to budding startups, have depended on Lolly Daskal to nurture their promising executives into resourceful, adaptable, and inspirational leaders.

10. John Mattone

John Mattone, a critically acclaimed author and internationally renowned big and small business coach, is the driving force behind four distinguished entities in the coaching and leadership development sphere. These include John Mattone Global, Intelligent Leadership Executive Coaching (ILEC), Intelligent Leadership Coaching International (ILCI), and Intelligent Leadership Online Academy (ILOA). His organisations, with their impressive portfolio of 14 registered IP trademarks granted by the US Patent and Trademark Office, are a clear reflection of his innovative and pioneering approach to coaching and leadership.

In an extraordinary accomplishment, Globalgurus.org, a respected research organisation, has acclaimed John Mattone as the world’s top business coach expert. Not just once, but four times in the past five years – 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2023. This honour emphasises his steadfast dedication to business coaching and his significant influence on global leaders.

His wealth of knowledge and know-how, encapsulated in his best-selling works, has been pivotal in crafting the strategies of countless businesses and nurturing a fresh cohort of impactful leaders. For anyone keen to bolster their leadership talents and instigate transformative change within their business, John Mattone’s coaching techniques offer a verified route to accomplishment.

What Personality Type are Coaches?

Coaches, with their diverse backgrounds and expertise, share a set of common traits vital to their success. They often show high levels of empathy, resilience, and a passion for guiding others towards their goals. Many coaches may resonate with the influential, steady, and conscientious profiles in the DISC personality framework. This model classifies personalities into Dominance (D), Influence (I), Steadiness (S), and Conscientiousness (C), each with distinct strengths and communication styles.

For effective coaching, a balanced mix of these traits is key. A coach should possess Dominance to achieve results, Influence to inspire, Steadiness to offer support and patience, and Conscientiousness to ensure thoughtful planning and execution.

Interested in discovering your DISC Personality or how to utilise your natural tendencies in coaching or leadership? Taking a free disc assessment test can help you understand your unique profile and its role in the diverse world of coaching.

Benefits of Working With a Top Business Coach for Entrepreneurs

Working with business coaches for entrepreneurs has considerable benefits that can significantly impact your business success. 

  • Expert Guidance. With a wealth of experience and proven success records, the right business coach provides expert advice tailored to your business needs. They have a knack for identifying issues that you might overlook and can present effective strategies to overcome them.
  • Accountability. Business coaches hold you accountable for your business goals. They ensure you follow through with your plans and keep you on track towards achieving your objectives.
  • Personalised Feedback. When you choose the best business coach, you’ll receive constructive feedback on your strategies, plans, and execution. Their unbiased perspective can help you identify areas for improvement and suggest ways to enhance your performance.
  • Skill Development. Business coaches help in sharpening your business skills. They can help develop your leadership, communication, decision-making, and strategic planning skills.
  • Increased Productivity. With clear goals and efficient strategies, top business coaches can boost your productivity levels. They guide you to optimise your business operations and processes, which can lead to improved overall performance.
  • Work-life Balance. A top executive business coach understands the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. They can help structure your business in a way that allows you more personal freedom and time for other pursuits.

Featured image by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

Our latest posts

Why Your Child’s First-Class Degree Isn’t Getting Them a Job
Apr 27, 2024

Why Your Child’s First-Class Degree Isn’t Getting Them a Job

In today's competitive graduate job market, many parents and graduates are facing a tough reality: a first-class degree no longer guarantees an easy...

Read post
From Campus to Career: Leveraging Your Studies for Professional Success
Apr 26, 2024

From Campus to Career: Leveraging Your Studies for Professional Success

Transitioning from the world of academia to the realm of work is a big leap. However, the good news is that the journey from campus to career is...

Read post
A Sustainable Path: Career Advice for Graduates Pursuing Opportunities in SMEs
Apr 25, 2024

A Sustainable Path: Career Advice for Graduates Pursuing Opportunities in SMEs

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are businesses that maintain revenues, assets, or a number of employees below certain thresholds.  The exact...

Read post
See All Blog Posts