How do you create sustainable change with a client?

I want client growth to outlive my relationship with them. My first step is to create a trusting safe place for them to explore their hidden unconscious. By contrast, in the photo above the lion has been deliberately provoked into attack - his defenses are up, which can often happen with clients. When a client feels attacked their energy is focused on defense (often from guilt, shame, or fear) and they cannot work toward lasting change. I help coaches learn how to deepen their access to clients without arousing defenses so they can access The Power of the Hidden.

Have you flirted with the idea of getting supervision to bring your coaching to a richer level?

While pursuing my Doctorate I had over 500 hours of supervision and a decade of weekly analysis, both individually and in a group. Many practitioners continue this practice of supervision throughout their career because it offers a place to hone their craft, increase their repertoire of perspective taking, and continually grow and learn. When I supervise coaches, I focus on whatever they need to go deeper with clients in a safe and effective way - seeing not just them but also the unconscious self which is often left in shadow.

Should your practice be broad or deep?

One of the key challenges facing us as coaches is how to grow a practice - through depth or breadth of experience and expertise. I can work with you to think through options and you can bring some new excitement into your practice, define more effective ways to grow your revenue and nurture your coaching experience .

What are you known for as a coach?

In 2001, I was invited to be an inaugural member of the Harvard Business School (HBS) coaching staff and have worked with over 2,000 HBS students, alums and executives since.

I am often brought in to coach in delicate situations. I recently learned I am known as “The Fixer” for how I resolve tricky situations. I am called upon whenever there is a need for sensitivity and nuance, or where other coaches have struggled.

I am able to use this experience to help other coaches deepen and adopt their practice in order to better work with ‘difficult’ clients.

But I don’t think of any client as ‘difficult’ - all clients present fascinating information and challenges for me. I love working with skeptics, and have wide-ranging experience that bridge the gap between belief in method and getting results.