My executive coaching model 1/5

Central Park, New York City. Paradoxes and change.

Throughout twenty-five years in the field of leadership development and change management, I have built my executive coaching model on several theoretical layers, including leadership models, organisational sociology concepts, self-development tools and psychotherapeutic theories.

Studying at advanced level at the Academy of Executive Coaching has given me the opportunity to shape these learnings into a robust executive coaching model.

The approach that most inspires me and sits at the core of my coaching practice is the Brief Therapy Model (a.k.a. Systemic and Strategic Approach) developed by Paul Watzlawick and others at the Palo Alto Mental Research Institute, following the fundamental research initiated by Gregory Bateson. Client-centered approaches have helped me emphasise and improve the quality of the relationships I build with my clients. Last but not least, Gestalt has opened the world of somatic awareness, which I am gradually integrating into my practice.

This mix of influences might seem odd to a reader familiar with the psychoanalytic / humanistic / cognitive-behavioural divide of therapeutic models. Throughout my practice and learning journey, I have built four bridges that help me integrate them in a way I believe helps my clients reach their goals. I hold these four bridges as my core executive coaching principles.

1. understanding  behaviours systemically;
2. coaching with strategic empathy;
3. communicating with the whole self;
4. helping my clients see the world through a different frame. 

I shall feed this blog with blog articles that will delve into more details about these four principles. In the meantime, don't hesitate to reach out, executive coaching is first and foremost a relationship!