Leadership — Blog — Linda Ford, Ph.D.

Leadership

Leader as coach

Leader as coach

Recently, I was talking with Jim, a former client who has retired from his role as CEO of a major nonprofit organization. As we talked about his desire to support other CEOs, the idea of “leader as coach” came up, and with it, the notion that we can develop others more effectively with questions than advice. “I didn’t spend a lot of time asking questions as CEO,” Jim confessed. “It’s just inefficient.” 

The dark side of personal growth and transformation

I’ve always been a bit of a “personal growth junkie.” It’s what draws me to the work of coaching. And of course, I have a coach. He constantly invites me into a larger, more powerful version of myself. He challenges the ways I limit myself. Coaching helps me live more fully into my potential. All great, right?

That’s the light side of personal growth, the pretty part of the journey. It’s what makes coaching or workshops worth the investment of our time and money.