In 2022, Sage Quiamno, then in her early 30s, was navigating a daunting DEI leadership role at Amazon. However, she soon found herself overwhelmed, leading to cycles of procrastination and frantic catch-ups that extended her workdays beyond 12 hours. As signs of burnout loomed, Quiamno recognized the urgent need for change.
Quiamno sought assistance from a life coach with a unique approach, who she later referred to as an executive function coach. Unlike traditional coaching, which often focuses on broad personal or professional goals, her coach concentrated on developing specific cognitive skills essential for managing her thoughts, actions, and emotions. This targeted approach enabled Quiamno to optimize her time and energy, confronting pain points like task management and procrastination directly.
Three years later, now residing in Seattle, Quiamno continues to engage in one-on-one sessions with her coach every other week and attends monthly meetings with a group of women dedicated to enhancing their executive functioning. “This is a long-term investment,” she emphasizes, highlighting the importance of sustained support in overcoming challenges.
Executive function encompasses a range of cognitive skills that facilitate organization, focus, memory, and self-control. Described by Harvard researchers as the brain's air traffic control system, these skills are crucial for planning and executing multistep projects and navigating interpersonal conflicts. Historically, impaired executive function has been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD and autism spectrum disorder. However, this perception is evolving.
In recent years, an increasing number of parents, teachers, and universities have begun employing executive function specialists to assist stressed-out students, regardless of whether they possess a formal psychiatric diagnosis. Professionals overwhelmed by the demands of modern work environments are also turning to these coaches to regain control over their lives. Companies like BetterUp and WorkSmart are recognizing this trend, integrating executive function coaching into their offerings.
The COVID-19 pandemic marked a pivotal moment for executive function coaching. Jesse Ruderman, an executive functioning specialist at the University of Denver, notes that the university hired its first executive function coach in 2020, specifically to support students grappling with the challenges posed by lockdowns. Other institutions, including the University of Minnesota and George Mason University, have since followed suit.
The pandemic exposed severe vulnerabilities in executive functioning, particularly as the structure of traditional workplace environments was disrupted. Many individuals who had previously coped with undiagnosed ADHD found themselves struggling as the familiar scaffolding of routine vanished. Consequently, there was a notable spike in ADHD diagnoses and medication prescriptions during this period, with a JAMA study highlighting an 81% increase in nonstimulant ADHD prescriptions among young adults between April 2020 and March 2022.
As students and professionals continue to seek support, Ruderman reported a significant increase in the number of students requesting coaching at the University of Denver, from 391 unique students in the 2022-23 academic year to 727 in 2023-24. This surge reflects broader societal awareness of executive function issues, amplified by social media platforms like TikTok, where discussions about neurodiversity have become increasingly common.
Similarly, workplace coaching is gaining traction, with more employee assistance programs now explicitly addressing executive functioning. Companies such as Workday, Chevron, and WarnerMedia are offering these services as part of their employee benefits. Kate Broeking, a Seattle-based workplace coach, has observed a notable increase in individual clients seeking her expertise.
The growing prevalence of executive dysfunction can be attributed to the demands of modern life, which often stretch mental capacities to their limits. Experts point to the distractions of digital devices as a primary factor contributing to this phenomenon. Research indicates that the digital landscape can distort our perception of time, directly impacting our time management abilities.
The pandemic has further exacerbated feelings of uncertainty and stress, particularly among highly educated individuals who find themselves struggling to secure stable employment despite the absence of an economic recession. The tech industry, for instance, has experienced widespread layoffs, leading to an atmosphere of insecurity that affects executive functioning across the board.
Burnout poses significant financial implications for companies, costing between $4,000 to $21,000 per employee annually, which translates to an estimated $5 million per year for an average 1,000-employee firm. As stress and overwhelm are recognized as risk factors for burnout, the demand for executive functioning support continues to rise.
In a 2024 survey, 57% of HR managers reported increased employee leave requests, with nearly half attributing their absences to mental health challenges. Discussions around burnout have surged, with a 2025 analysis revealing that conversations about this issue on platforms like Glassdoor have reached their highest levels since 2016.
While anyone can experience burnout, research indicates that individuals with ADHD, autism, and other neurodevelopmental disorders may be particularly vulnerable. In the years leading up to the pandemic, some companies implemented targeted well-being programs designed to accommodate employees with relevant diagnoses. Broeking played a key role in developing Amazon's work wellness coaching program, which has since influenced similar initiatives at Microsoft and Google.
Despite these advancements, workplace wellness programs are not a panacea. A 2024 Harvard Business Review article highlighted that while a vast majority of major US employers offer wellness programs, employee burnout continues to rise. The authors argue that these programs often fail to address the systemic issues contributing to employee distress.
Although personalized executive functioning guidance is not a cure-all, it offers valuable support for workers navigating the complexities of modern life. Recognizing the importance of shielding oneself from distractions is essential for maintaining focus and productivity in today's fast-paced environment. Ramsay advocates for employers to provide executive functioning support for all employees, emphasizing its benefits for everyone, not just those with official diagnoses.
As the work landscape continues to evolve, coaching may prove particularly beneficial for managing the uncertainties that many workers face. Following changes to DEI programming at Amazon, Quiamno found herself reevaluating her professional path. Recognizing that she could not rely solely on her employer for career development, she credits her coaching experience as crucial in building the confidence necessary to forge her own consulting business for women-led startups. “With a one-on-one coach who knows your strengths and blind spots, there’s always something new to learn,” she reflects. “It’s an accountability mechanism — a commitment to myself and my growth as a leader.”
As the demand for executive function coaching continues to rise, it illuminates the critical role these services play in helping individuals regain control over their personal and professional lives in an increasingly complex world.
