Executive Coaching

The Need for Support

All leaders need support. "It's lonely at the top" is not an idle phrase. People expect leaders to be more together than the rest of the members of the organization; to have a solid view of where we are going and how we are gong to get there.

But let's face it. In these troubled and changing times, all of us struggle with the basic questions; What's important? How can I keep the organization safe and yet creative? On track and still flexible? Tuned to customer needs and yet satisfied by their work? And those are just a few.

Some have said that the strategic and visionary leader is a cultural creative - that is, someone outside the usual boxes of social and intellectual constraint who can see the future clearly and has no fear of it. But just recently we asked a very senior executive in a highly prestigious organization whether, after the events of September 11th 2001, he had any trepidation. He said:

"I'm scared. And I'm proud of it. To be sanguine now and not to be vigilant and ready to tap into the creativity vigilance can offer, would be foolhardy. This is not a time for arrogance, but a time to reach out, ask for help, trust in those who can work with you openly, and find a way to a better world."

Our Philosophy

He couldn't have said it better. For years we have been helping leaders and managers at all levels helping them address their professional and personal goals and challenges confidently, not arrogantly; creatively, not recklessly; and optimistically, not anxiously. We have worked to help them think abundantly about possibility in all situations, and to not retreat to scarcity in times of uncertainty.

Using one-on-one open conversation, position analysis, strategic thinking, and creative problem solving, we are available to help you. Our approach is to listen deeply, ask probing questions, provide a safe place for your fears and vulnerabilities to be explored, and then work together with you to invent ways to leverage your skills and beliefs into success for you and your organization.

Don't be fooled by fads and twists when it comes to your personal leadership development. Leadership is a personal thing - characterized by the special personality and dreams you bring to the process. You need sensitive and unobtrusive partners in your conscious evolution to the leadership you want to embody. Our coaching approach is relationship driven and goal centered. We can help you realize your next level of prosperity and fulfillment by helping you understand more deeply your most powerful tool in that quest: your own emotional and psychological make-up.

Our Process

Our process consists of an initial meeting at our mutual convenience to explore the possibilities and issues you wish to address. If we feel it is a match, we can move to a series of one on one position identification sessions, where we determine what your aspirations are and where you stand in regard to them, today. From there, we determine who else, if anyone should join your team to assist you, and what steps might advance you to the next level of your personal effectiveness.

Finally, we map together a route to improvement and implementation of whatever mix of interpersonal, spiritual, financial, communication or persuasion skills you need to acquire to move you along your path. Carrying those out through learning, talking, evaluating and practicing, is our ongoing support strategy.

Some of our leaders like to meet with other leaders and share their stories and discoveries. We usually do this in our Leader Renewal Programs, but we also set up small support sessions as they seem necessary and as they are requested.

McVinney & Company will use all of its technologies and facilitation skills to help you create a sustainable career as a leader, or as whatever your coaching with us reveals is the right direction for your life. Applying creative thinking tools to personal sustainable development is as important as applying it to organizational development, and we can help you do both.