The Rise of The Invisible Coach and Mentor

There’s been a quiet but powerful shift in how senior professionals are seeking support.

Increasingly, I’m being engaged as what I call the invisible coach and mentor—a confidential partner who helps navigate career-defining moments. This support is often sought privately, outside the structure of formal organisational sponsorship.

Below are four key themes I see across these private and focused engagements.

1. Navigating New Roles and Expectations

Many clients are stepping into new roles with high expectations, tight timelines, and limited support. They’re looking for a trusted space to test thinking, clarify decisions, and gain confidence without judgment. These sessions often uncover untapped strengths and help leaders find their own rhythm early in a new position.

2. Responding to Sudden Change

Unexpected reorganisations or new strategic directions are increasingly common. Leaders are being asked to act swiftly, sometimes with little notice or guidance. In these moments, private coaching becomes a place to make sense of the chaos, create a plan, and lead with clarity.

3. Laying Strategic Foundations

Beyond the urgent, many leaders are asking: “What’s next?” They’re seeking guidance to shape strategic initiatives, simplify complexity, and identify opportunities for innovation within their roles and industries. These are forward-looking conversations with impact far beyond day-to-day responsibilities.

4. Seeking Personalised, Confidential Support

What’s most interesting is that many of these engagements are privately contracted in personal time. This is very different from when I began, where CEOs and leaders within the organisation typically sponsored engagements. Today’s leaders are prioritising personal development in a way that fits around their lives and challenges.

You can learn more about my approach as a mentor and coach at davidbanger.com/mentor, where I outline how I support leaders through direct, thoughtful, and results-focused conversations.

You can also email me at david@changelead.com . 

Whether you're navigating change, defining strategy, or simply looking for a confidential sounding board, this style of invisible mentoring and coaching could be exactly what you need.