When leaders are under pressure, who do they turn to? Whether it’s navigating a grievance, managing internal conflict, or quietly battling burnout, senior leaders are often expected to shoulder immense pressure and distress, while feeling isolated. This can have not only a huge personal impact on them but can be very detrimental for the organisation too. What can you do to minimise this?
In this powerful Q&A, Laura Acosta – Executive Coach and Training & Wellbeing Consultant at Loch – discusses SOS Support for Leaders, a new service offering confidential, expert-led coaching during high-stress moments.
If you’re a leader or organisational decision-maker navigating complex, high-pressure situations, this interview is essential reading. It unpacks the human cost of leadership during crisis, and reveals how targeted intervention can safeguard not just the individual, but the business as a whole.
Laura, what led Loch to develop SOS Support for Leaders? Was there a particular trigger?
It actually started with a pattern our Solicitors and HR professionals at Loch had begun to notice. Senior leaders were being named in grievances or facing investigation and disciplinary processes, and then suddenly finding themselves isolated, sometimes even vilified. There was no safe outlet for them to process what was happening. It wasn’t about them lacking resilience or needing ‘fixing’, it was about creating a space for them to feel supported so they could stay steady while things around them felt unstable.
What kind of situations are leaders facing, which might lead them to needing this kind of support?
We’ve seen a real range, from false or exaggerated allegations to the cumulative stress of dealing with multiple internal issues. But it’s not just about formal disputes. Leaders are coming forward experiencing burnout, questioning their own decisions, struggling with team dynamics, or simply feeling unsure whether they’re doing the right thing. There’s often no one they feel they can really speak to, either inside or outside the organisation.
We’re seeing these situations arising more and more, as there’s increasing complexity in workplaces now – rising pressure, increased visibility, and greater expectation around leadership behaviour. Sometimes grievances are valid, sometimes they’re retaliatory or performance-related, but either way, the person on the receiving end is left exposed and often feeling unsupported.
What emotional and professional impact does this have on a leader?
A huge one. I often see confidence issues, loss of self-belief, overwhelm, and anxiety. It can trigger questions around: “Am I really suited to this role? Should I step away?” What I can help them understand is that these moments aren’t signs of weakness, they could be opportunities for positive change. That’s why this isn’t a “bounce back” service. It’s about bouncing forward.
How can these individual challenges ripple out into the business?
The impact of leadership behaviour on a business is immense. If a senior leader is battling challenges – emotionally, energetically, or professionally – there’s a trickle-down effect. It affects morale, productivity, and the overall sense of stability. If the leadership team is shaky, people feel it right through the organisation.
So, what exactly is SOS Support for Leaders? What happens in a session?
It is a confidential one-to-one session with me, lasting up to 1.5 hours, usually delivered online. We create a neutral zone – somewhere completely outside the organisational context – where the leader can talk, reflect, decompress, and explore next steps. It’s not therapy, and it’s not a disciplinary process. It’s coaching for immediate impact.
I’m an ICF ACC accredited Executive Coach, providing professionalism and neutrality. I bring experience from coaching, wellbeing consultancy, and real-world exposure to investigations and HR disputes. I understand both the human and operational side of what they’re going through.
How do you handle confidentiality?
It’s absolutely critical and central. Confidentiality allows people to be honest with themselves, sometimes for the first time. Unless there’s a safeguarding concern, what’s shared stays in the room. And that’s what makes this so beneficial. Leaders often say, “I can’t talk to anyone else about this.”
Is this only for leaders under investigation?
Absolutely not. It’s just as valuable for someone who’s feeling the pressure of supporting someone else going through an investigation, or someone who’s navigating uncertainty, stress, or burnout in their day-to-day role. You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from SOS Support.
What can leaders expect to walk away with after a session?
Relief, clarity, perspective, and – crucially – a sense of agency. One of the goals is to help leaders reconnect with what they can control and feel able to make decisions.
Supporting leaders in this way helps prevent crisis escalation. It means businesses can then retain good people, avoid costly exits, and maintain a stable leadership presence during challenging times. It’s also a signal to the whole organisation: “We support our people – all our people.”
One leader I’m working with is halfway through a coaching programme and the difference in their self-awareness and confidence is already visible. Even a single session can help someone move from spiralling thoughts to action-focused clarity.
Is there flexibility in the number of sessions?
Yes. The service starts as a one-off session – a lifeline when someone needs it most. But, many choose to continue as needed. If someone wants to turn it into a longer-term coaching relationship, that can be arranged too.
What’s the feedback been like so far?
It’s early days, but the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Leaders have said they felt lighter, clearer, and more empowered, even after just one session. Often, they don’t realise how much they’ve been holding in until they’re finally given the opportunity to talk.
This service isn’t about ‘fixing’ leaders. It’s about offering a lifeline during times of high stress and pressure. It’s a kind of stabilising force during chaos. Whether you’re facing a grievance, feeling pressure from ongoing change, or just need space to breathe and think, you could access a session with me within 24 hours.
