Credibility and gravitas are the most important qualities for sponsors seeking external coaches. Some 99 per cent of respondents to the latest Ridler Report rated these qualities as the most important, followed by “listens well” (97 per cent). Credibility and gravitas are associated with a track record of successfully coaching business leaders, a broad business understanding and appreciation of the sponsor’s business context, underpinned by their experience, and “generally sounding and looking like they would relate easily to senior business leaders”, according to interviews with...