I mean, that's _literally_ the model of Vistage, which is a peer-based group, but lead by a Chair that is that exact "retired business leader whose credibility

I mean, that's _literally_ the model of Vistage, which is a peer-based group, but lead by a Chair that is that exact "retired business leader whose credibility based on past success justifies your making material changes." Leaving the Chair out of things, you have organizations like EO, wherein you simply have a peer group of others, but EO is big on talking through a "gestalt" (rather than prescriptive) model, so that the material changes you make are what you take away, rather than an edict you have to follow. And while there are obviously tons of lemons and charlatans, I think you'd be stunned by just how many ultra-high-performing CEOs and C-suite execs have coaches themselves, sometimes sourced from their companies (or their boards), and sometimes as personal endeavors.