Welcome to the 200th episode of the Arete Coach Podcast, marking a remarkable four-year journey exploring excellence in executive coaching. This episode is titled, "Wisdom Walkers: A Celebration of 200 Episodes in the Pursuit of Arete." In this special milestone episode, host Severin Sorensen weaves together insights and wisdom from 29 distinguished Vistage Chairs who have shaped the landscape of peer group leadership and executive coaching.

From the touching first episode featuring the late Richard Bosworth from the UK, to transformative perspectives from leaders like Fred Cheney, Ozzie Gontang, and Larry Cassidy, this episode captures the essence of what makes great coaching truly extraordinary. Viewers will hear powerful insights about authentic leadership, the art of strategic listening, and creating environments that foster transformation.

Listen as these great executive coaches and current and former Vistage Chairs share their personal journeys, challenges, and the profound lessons they've learned about helping others achieve excellence. Whether you're an experienced coach, an aspiring leader, or someone passionate about personal growth, this landmark episode offers invaluable wisdom about the power of peer learning and the enduring impact of skilled coaching.

This 200th episode features illuminating conversations and wisdom from twenty-nine distinguished current and former Vistage chairs: Richard Bosworth from the UK, who set the foundation with the first episode; Norma Rosenberg, Bud Carter, Dr. Gail Schaper-Gordon, Garth Jackson, GeorgeAnne Goldblum, and Jim Handy, who shared insights on leadership excellence; Mikki Williams, Perry Maughmer, Dr. Alan Weinstein, Bridget Wenman, and Tony Lewis, who brought diverse perspectives on coaching methodologies; Cindy Hesterman, Conor Neill from Spain, Laura Gordon from the UK, and Louis-Samuel Jacques from Canada, representing global coaching practices; Janet Fogarty, Dr. Michael Denning, Michele Berry, and Les Whitney, who demonstrated coaching innovation; Jeannette Hobson, Larry Cassidy, Carol Steinberg, and Ozzie Gontang, who exemplified coaching wisdom; and Katherine Crewe, Tom Cuthbert, Kevin McKeown, Chip Webster, and Fred Chaney, whose compelling stories rounded out this milestone episode.

#ExecutiveCoaching #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #PersonalDevelopment #Vistage #Excellence #Coaching

The Arete Coach Podcast seeks to explore the art and science of executive coaching. You can find out more about this podcast at aretecoach.io.

This episode was recorded on November 20, 2024. Portions drawn from podcast interviews recorded from April 2020 through October 2024.

Copyright © 2024 by Arete Coach™ LLC. All rights reserved.

Welcome to the Arete Coach Podcast, hosted by Severin Sorensen. In this episode, recorded via Zoom on October 22nd, 2024, we are joined by Becky Tolnay, a Vistage Chair and Professional Facilitator based in Tallahassee, Florida. This episode is titled, "From Five-Star Service to Executive Excellence: A Vistage Chair's Quality-Driven Leadership Journey."

With over 30 years of experience in performance improvement, primarily from her distinguished career at the Ritz Carlton Hotel Company, Becky Tolnay brings deep insights into fostering customer-centric culture and driving continuous improvement within teams. As a certified professional facilitator through the International Association of Facilitators, she has mastered core facilitation competencies that enhance her ability to guide and develop business leaders.

Throughout the conversation, Tolnay shares her remarkable journey from starting as an accounts receivable clerk at the Ritz Carlton Buckhead to becoming an Area Director of Performance Improvement and Quality. Her career trajectory was shaped by a pivotal moment when she accepted a role as Director of Quality in 1994, despite initial hesitations about public speaking. This "happy accident," as she calls it, led to a transformative career in quality management and facilitation. After 25 years with Ritz Carlton, Tolnay established Tolnay Team Solutions and became a Vistage Chair, where she creates confident environments for business leaders to gain diverse perspectives and accelerate their growth. Her unique approach to group facilitation, influenced by her extensive background in quality management at Ritz Carlton, demonstrates how excellence in hospitality principles can enhance executive coaching and peer advisory group management.

The episode reveals powerful insights about the intersection of quality management and executive coaching. Tolnay's approach to group facilitation, shaped by her Ritz Carlton experience, emphasizes the importance of creating intentional cultures through clearly defined values and consistent reinforcement. Her implementation of core values - integrity, communication, commitment, growth mindset, courage, creativity, effectiveness, and relationships - provides a framework for building high-performing peer advisory groups.

A significant takeaway is Tolnay's emphasis on observation and diagnosis before action. Drawing from her father's veterinary practice and her quality management background, she demonstrates how careful observation and thoughtful questioning lead to better problem-solving outcomes. This approach challenges the common tendency among executives to jump to conclusions based on past experiences, instead encouraging deeper exploration and understanding.

The episode also highlights the importance of creating systematic approaches to excellence while maintaining flexibility and authenticity. Tolnay's implementation of the "Best B" recognition system and her method of anchoring group values at the beginning and end of meetings shows how simple yet consistent practices can reinforce desired behaviors and create lasting cultural change. This systematic approach to group dynamics, combined with genuine care for individual growth, exemplifies the balance between structure and humanity in effective executive coaching.

The Arete Coach Podcast seeks to explore the art and science of executive coaching. You can find out more about this podcast at aretecoach.io.

This episode was recorded via Zoom on October 22nd, 2024.

Copyright © 2024 by Arete Coach™ LLC. All rights reserved.

Welcome to the Arete Coach Podcast, hosted by Severin Sorensen. This week's episode is titled "The Power of Self-Leadership: Transforming Executive Performance Through Internal Family Systems." In this episode, we are joined by Seth Kopald, PhD, a Level 3 Certified Internal Family Systems Practitioner with expertise in organizational management and leadership. Dr. Kopald's unique blend of academic rigor and compassionate practice offers invaluable insights into self-leadership, parenting, and creating meaningful connections. As an author, consultant, and IFS practitioner, he has dedicated his career to helping individuals and organizations achieve inner harmony and stronger relationships.

Dr. Kopald's journey began in education as a Montessori preschool teacher, later expanding to roles as a community college instructor and consultant for Head Start. His path took a transformative turn during a personal challenge when he discovered Internal Family Systems therapy, which became both his healing journey and professional calling. Since 2012, Seth has been an active IFS practitioner, leading individual and couple sessions, and contributing extensively to the IFS community through initiatives like the IFS self-led parenting and parts art Facebook pages. His book, "Self Led, Living a Connected Life with Yourself and with Others," exemplifies his dedication to helping people achieve authentic self-leadership. As a program assistant for IFS training and staff member for Dick Schwartz Retreats, Seth has played a pivotal role in training the next generation of IFS practitioners while maintaining his mission to help people increase their sense of courage, compassion, and understanding of themselves and others. One of my favorite quotes from Seth in this episode was: "I think of the parent as the ocean and the children are a boat, and as the ocean is going crazy, the boat can never settle until the ocean settles."

The Arete Coach Podcast seeks to explore the art and science of executive coaching. You can find out more about this podcast at aretecoach.io.

This episode was recorded via Zoom on September 20th, 2024.

Copyright © 2024 by Arete Coach™ LLC. All rights reserved.

Welcome to the Arete Coach Podcast, hosted by Severin Sorensen. In this episode, recorded on September 10th, 2024, we are joined by Rupal Patel—best-selling author, speaker, and expert in leadership and talent development. Titled "Owning Your Weird: Unconventional Paths to Success," the episode highlights Rupal's inspiring journey and the lessons she's gathered along the way, offering wisdom for anyone forging their own path in today's unpredictable world.

Rupal Patel's career is as diverse as it is remarkable. She served as a CIA analyst and field agent, earning war zone service medals and recognition from the CIA director for her "superior support to the president of the United States." She later transitioned into entrepreneurship, founding Entrepreneura, and has become a guest lecturer at the University of Edinburgh Business School and external faculty at Henley Business School.

In this insightful conversation, Rupal shares her path from the CIA to becoming a successful author, speaker, and leadership expert. Her career includes earning an MBA from the London School of Business, leading Blue Infinity Property Group as CEO, and launching an international speaking career. Her best-selling book, From CIA to CEO: Unconventional Life Lessons for Thinking Bigger, Leading Better, and Being Bolder, captures her wealth of knowledge and experiences. Throughout the episode, she speaks passionately about leadership, her desire to create a positive, large-scale impact, and how her diverse experiences inform her approach to developing leaders.

A standout quote from the episode comes when Rupal offers advice to young girls: "Choose your peers very carefully. The people we surround ourselves with either help us raise our bar or lower ourselves to our basest instincts." This encapsulates her emphasis on intentionality in personal growth and leadership development.

Rupal's journey provides invaluable insights for executive coaches and leaders. Her focus on creating positive impact beyond individual success speaks to the power of influence at a broader societal level—particularly relevant for executive coaches guiding high-level clients who can shape entire organizations or industries.

Lastly, Patel's message of "owning your weird," which she also discusses in her TED talk, encourages leaders to embrace their unique qualities as assets. Executive coaches can leverage this concept to help clients transform perceived weaknesses into strengths, fostering more authentic, confident, and effective leadership. This not only enhances individual success but also drives organizational growth.

The Arete Coach Podcast seeks to explore the art and science of executive coaching. You can find out more about this podcast at aretecoach.io.

This episode was recorded via Zoom on September 10, 2024.

Copyright © 2024 by Arete Coach™ LLC. All rights reserved.

Welcome to the Arete Coach Podcast, hosted by Severin Sorensen. In this episode, titled, "The Mindshare Multiplier, Empowering Coaches with AI Sidekicks," Severin explores the cutting-edge intersection of AI and executive coaching. As an early adopter and experimenter with over 20 AI models, including OpenAI's ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Anthropic Claude, and Microsoft Copilot, Severin brings a wealth of practical experience to this discussion. His expertise is further highlighted by his authorship of the AI Whisperer book series, demonstrating his commitment to understanding and leveraging AI in professional coaching contexts.

In this insightful episode, Severin shares his journey of integrating AI tools into coaching practices, focusing particularly on Google's Notebook LM. He explores how this powerful tool can serve as a centralized knowledge repository, enhance client understanding, streamline session preparation, and even assist in developing new coaching materials. Severin's approach goes beyond mere technological fascination, emphasizing the responsible and ethical use of AI in coaching, particularly concerning data privacy and security. His exploration of these tools aligns perfectly with the Arete Coach Podcast's mission of examining excellence in the art and science of executive coaching, offering a forward-looking perspective on how AI can augment and elevate coaching practices.

In this episode, Severin Sorensen illuminates the transformative potential of AI in executive coaching. He emphasizes that tools like Google's Notebook LM are not meant to replace human coaches but to enhance their capabilities. By leveraging AI for tasks such as organizing vast amounts of information, identifying patterns in client data, and generating tailored session plans, coaches can focus more on what truly matters: the human connection and insight-driven guidance.

Severin's exploration of AI in coaching goes beyond mere technological fascination. He underscores the critical importance of ethical considerations, particularly in terms of data privacy and security. As coaches integrate these powerful tools into their practices, Severin stresses the need for a balanced approach that maintains the trust and confidentiality that are fundamental to the coaching relationship. This thoughtful integration of AI ensures that technology serves to augment, rather than diminish, the human element of coaching.

Looking to the future, Severin envisions a coaching landscape where AI and human expertise work in symbiosis. He encourages coaches to embrace these innovations thoughtfully, always keeping the best interests of their clients at the forefront. By doing so, coaches can lead the way in shaping a future where AI amplifies their skills, allowing for deeper insights, more personalized coaching experiences, and ultimately, more impactful outcomes for their clients. This forward-thinking approach positions executive coaches to not only adapt to technological advancements but to thrive in an AI-enhanced coaching environment.

The Arete Coach Podcast seeks to explore the art and science of executive coaching. You can find out more about this podcast at aretecoach.io.

This episode was recorded via Zoom on October 5, 2024.

Copyright © 2024 by Arete Coach™ LLC. All rights reserved.

Welcome to the Arete Coach Podcast, hosted by Severin Sorensen. In this episode, recorded via Zoom on September 13th, 2024, we are honored to have Hannah Finrow, a Master Certified Coach (MCC) with the International Coach Federation (ICF). Hannah is renowned for her expertise as a Life Coach, Executive Coach, and global coaching expert. She serves as a premier fellow coach at BetterUp and has held leadership roles at CoachTrainingEDU, including VP of Marketing Education.

In an engaging conversation, titled, " "Don't ever stop being Hannah," Hannah Finrow shares her inspiring journey from being one of nine children to becoming a highly respected coach with over a decade of experience. Her career began in service-level positions, including management roles at Taco Bell and Jamba Juice, before discovering her passion for coaching. Over the past years, Hannah has dedicated herself to helping individuals unlock their potential, enhance their leadership skills, and embrace their authentic selves. Recognized globally, Hannah has contributed more than 10,000 hours to coaching, mentoring, and training. This episode delves into Hannah's profound commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and coaches to find their unique voices, perfectly aligning with the Arete Coach Podcast's exploration of excellence in executive coaching.

Hannah Finrow's journey to becoming a Master Certified Coach offers valuable insights for executive coaches. Her emphasis on authenticity and "being" rather than just "doing" highlights the importance of personal growth and self-awareness in coaching. Hannah's approach demonstrates that effective coaching goes beyond techniques and tools; it's about creating a space where clients can explore their true selves and unlock their potential.

The podcast underscores the significance of listening and intuition in executive coaching. Hannah's practice of "pausing for intuition" and her willingness to ask seemingly unrelated questions based on her intuitive insights showcase the power of deep listening and trust in the coaching process. This approach can help executive coaches move beyond surface-level conversations to facilitate profound breakthroughs with their clients.

Hannah's perspective on the "gap" in coaching provides a crucial framework for executive coaches. By focusing on the space between where clients are and where they want to be, coaches can help clients identify areas for growth and development. Additionally, Hannah's multidimensional approach, incorporating elements like poetry and metaphor, illustrates how executive coaches can leverage diverse tools and perspectives to enhance their practice and create more impactful coaching experiences.

The Arete Coach Podcast seeks to explore the art and science of executive coaching. You can find out more about this podcast at aretecoach.io.

This episode was recorded via Zoom on September 13, 2024.

Copyright © 2024 by Arete Coach™ LLC. All rights reserved.

Welcome to the Arete Coach Podcast, hosted by Severin Sorensen. In this episode, titled, "Coaching as a Life Skill: Listening, Leading, and Lifting Others," we are honored to have Ruchira Chaudhary, a distinguished executive coach, author, and CEO of True North Consulting. Ruchira is renowned for her expertise in leadership development, coaching, and organizational strategy, with over two decades of experience across Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. She is also an acclaimed author of "Coaching: The Secret Code of Uncommon Leadership" and serves as adjunct faculty at prestigious institutions like Chicago Booth School, SMU, and IMD Singapore.

In an engaging conversation, Ruchira Chaudhary shares her inspiring journey from a diverse corporate background to becoming a leading voice in executive coaching. Her career began in advertising and human resource consulting, evolving through various roles in multinational corporations before discovering her passion for coaching. Over the past decade, Ruchira has dedicated herself to mastering and teaching coaching skills, developing her proprietary "4C plus" model of coaching. Recognized globally, Ruchira has been honored as one of the 21 women leaders in 2021 and awarded the Woman of Excellence Award in 2022. This episode delves into Ruchira's profound commitment to creating leaders who coach and take others along in their journey, perfectly aligning with the Arete Coach Podcast's exploration of excellence in executive coaching.

Ruchira Chaudhary's approach to executive coaching emphasizes the importance of developing a coaching mindset in leaders across all levels of an organization. Her "4C plus" model focuses on enhancing capability, consciousness (self-awareness), clarity, and confidence in coachees. This comprehensive framework provides a structured approach to coaching that goes beyond traditional skill development, addressing the holistic growth of individuals.

One of the key insights from the episode is Ruchira's emphasis on coaching as a life skill rather than just a corporate tool. She advocates for a shift in leadership paradigms, moving away from command-and-control styles towards more empathetic, question-based approaches. This perspective aligns with modern leadership demands, especially in the wake of global challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted the need for adaptable and inclusive leadership styles.

Ruchira also brings attention to the unique challenges faced by women in leadership roles and the importance of tailored coaching approaches. She emphasizes the need to focus on building confidence and self-belief in women leaders, addressing issues like imposter syndrome and work-life balance. This insight highlights the role of coaching in promoting diversity and inclusivity in leadership, ultimately contributing to more robust and dynamic organizational cultures.

The Arete Coach Podcast seeks to explore the art and science of executive coaching. You can find out more about this podcast at aretecoach.io.

This episode was recorded via Zoom on September 3, 2024.

Copyright © 2024 by Arete Coach™ LLC. All rights reserved.

Welcome to the Arete Coach Podcast, hosted by Severin Sorensen. In this episode, we are honored to have Michael Reddington, a certified forensic interviewer and the author of "The Disciplined Listening Method." From our conversation, Reddington remarked, "Life is a series of solvable problems. So you can choose to focus on the problem or you can choose to focus on the solution." Michael is the President of Inquasive Incorporated and is renowned for his expertise in applying non-confrontational interview and interrogation techniques to business communication and leadership development.

In an engaging conversation, Michael Reddington shares his inspiring journey from his early career in special education to becoming a leader in the field of forensic interviewing and business communication. His path began in loss prevention for major retailers, where he discovered his talent for conducting interviews and interrogations.

Over the past decade, Michael has dedicated himself to mastering and teaching non-confrontational interview techniques, applying his expertise to leadership communication, sales, negotiation, and conflict resolution across 50 countries. Recognized globally, Michael has been featured in Forbes and Fast Company, and has guest lectured at prestigious institutions including Harvard and Northwestern. This episode delves into Michael's profound commitment to helping business leaders enhance their communication skills and unlock greater value from high-impact conversations, perfectly aligning with the Arete Coach Podcast's exploration of excellence in executive coaching.

In this conversation, Reddington talks about Disciplined Listening. Reddington's disciplined listening method is built on the foundations of active listening but goes beyond it. Disciplined Listening focuses on two fundamental principles: a. Uncovering hidden value in every conversation; b. Creating the communication experience other people require so they will do what we need them to do. It involves paying attention to subtle cues like pauses, changes in intonation, emotions, and specific word choices. The method emphasizes understanding why people choose to share sensitive information under vulnerable circumstances. It's about creating an environment where people feel comfortable sharing the truth, rather than just appearing to listen. Disciplined listening involves adapting the conversation setting and approach to make the other person feel at ease and more likely to share openly.

The Arete Coach Podcast seeks to explore the art and science of executive coaching. You can find out more about this podcast at aretecoach.io.

This episode was recorded via Zoom on August 30th, 2024.

Copyright © 2024 by Arete Coach™ LLC. All rights reserved.