Nomination Requirements

Coaches nominated for Top CEO Coaches directory must meet minimum qualification standards across multiple evaluation dimensions:

Core Requirements

• Minimum 10 years of professional CEO coaching experience
• Proven track record coaching chief executives at companies generating $50M+ annual revenue
• Professional coaching certification from recognized organizations (ICF, CCL, or equivalent)
• Documented client results demonstrating measurable performance improvements
• Published thought leadership contributing to executive coaching knowledge
• Specialized CEO expertise beyond general executive coaching capabilities

Qualified Nominators

Nominations are accepted from 4 primary nominator categories:

• Corporate board members with direct knowledge of coach effectiveness
• Sitting CEOs who have worked with the nominated coach
• Human resources executives overseeing executive development programs
• Professional coaching organizations recognizing coaching excellence

Evaluation Process

The editorial team follows a structured 4-phase evaluation process for all nominations:

Phase 1: Initial Screening (Weeks 1-2)

Nominations undergo preliminary review to verify coaches meet minimum qualification standards. The screening evaluates years of CEO-specific experience, professional certifications, and client company scale.

Phase 2: Detailed Research (Weeks 3-6)

Coaches passing initial screening receive comprehensive evaluation including website review, published work analysis, client testimonial verification, and professional background research. The team investigates documented results and thought leadership contributions.

Phase 3: Direct Outreach (Weeks 7-8)

Qualified coaches are contacted directly to gather additional information, verify nomination details, and request supplementary documentation such as case studies, client references, or coaching methodology descriptions.

Phase 4: Final Decision (Weeks 9-10)

The evaluation team applies the complete ranking methodology to score coaches across all criteria. Coaches meeting directory standards receive notification of inclusion and their assigned ranking position.

Evaluation Timeline

Complete nomination evaluation takes approximately 10 weeks from submission to final decision. Nominators receive confirmation of submission within 2 business days and status updates at each evaluation phase.

After Submission

Nominators receive automated confirmation within 2 business days acknowledging nomination receipt. The confirmation includes submission reference number for tracking purposes.

The evaluation team contacts nominators if additional information is required to complete the assessment. Coaches who advance through initial screening receive direct contact from the editorial team for follow-up information gathering.

Final evaluation decisions are communicated to both nominators and coaches. Coaches not selected for current directory inclusion receive feedback about evaluation results and may be reconsidered in future review cycles if their qualifications strengthen.

Nomination Questions

Questions about the nomination process, evaluation criteria, or submission status can be directed to the editorial team through the contact form.