Why Every Professional Needs an Executive Coach | Paris Lampkins

What does it really mean to have an executive coach in your corner? In this episode of Cleveland Pulse, host Edwin Hubbard Jr. sits down with Paris Lampkins of Lampkins & Co. for a real conversation about executive coaching, career growth, and why high-performing professionals should stop treating support like a luxury. From mentorship and sponsorship to confidence, executive presence, and navigating systems not built with us in mind, this episode breaks down how coaching can help professionals move with more clarity, strategy, and purpose. Paris shares her journey from Cleveland roots and higher education leadership into executive coaching, along with how her research centers Black women navigating predominantly white spaces. She explains how executive coaching helps professionals identify blind spots, build strategy, and develop the kind of personal board of directors needed to grow in business and leadership. This episode also explores: the difference between a mentor, sponsor, and executive coach why coaching can matter at every career stage how professionals can fast-track growth by addressing blind spots early why therapy and executive coaching are not the same, but can work together how to think about the investment in coaching through the lens of opportunity cost why mentorship, sponsorship, and curiosity still matter at the highest levels One of the most memorable questions from the conversation is simple: “What does it cost you not to have one?” That framing turns executive coaching from an optional expense into a serious leadership decision for professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone trying to move with intention. If you’re building your career, leading a team, or trying to grow into your next season of impact, this episode is for you. Connect with Paris Lampkins: LinkedIn: Paris Lampkins Email: [email protected] 00:00:00 Opening hook: athletes have coaches—do professionals need one too? 00:00:19 Introduction to Cleveland Pulse and guest Paris Lampkins 00:00:56 Paris Lampkins’ background and path into executive coaching 00:02:47 Research focus: Black women navigating white professional spaces 00:03:33 Why coaching matters, explained through sports 00:05:21 What an executive coach does and the “personal board of directors” 00:07:34 Mentor vs. sponsor vs. executive coach 00:11:27 Can executive coaching help early-career professionals fast-track growth? 00:15:29 Building your team and defining your personal board of directors 00:19:10 Executive coaching vs. therapy, plus the investment question 00:21:50 Fun close: playlist, final advice, and how to connect with Paris