Executive Coaching

Executive coaching is a powerful intervention for growth and development: meeting regularly in a one-on-one format (either face-to-face or virtually) means that we have time to explore issues beneath the surface, assign and follow up on exercises, and completely customize the learning for you, the client.

To be human is to live inside a story about ourselves, others, and life: we all have our ways to make meaning of the world, which are usually so embedded within us that we refer to them on autopilot, without even realizing. The stories we tell ourselves are shaped by our experiences and personalities, and in turn, they shape how we act and what feels possible. But sometimes we get to a point when our stories are limiting. We feel stuck.

Coaching gives you an opportunity to become aware of your stories and patterns and turn them into opportunities for growth. Week by week, as you reflect and take on new exercises, you’ll find yourself gaining clarity and self-awareness; developing enduring new skills and habits to approach what is important to you; and growing in your ability to be fully present.

“Until you make the unconscious conscious,
it will direct your life and you will call it fate.”
Carl Jung

My Approach to Coaching

I combine an analytical mindset rooted in research and consulting, with holistic, experiential methods and a lot of heart. I work at the intersection of consciousness and competence: I help build your awareness, acceptance, and skill. Here is how I would describe my approach to coaching:

• I have a profound understanding of the pressures and system dynamics that come with being a leader in today’s corporate and non-profit environment. In my over 1,000 hours of coaching experience so far, I have worked with hundreds of leaders at all levels, from the front line to the c-suite.
• My background as a researcher means that an analytical approach is part of my backbone: I will bring clarity, break down the issues, create a strategy, or recommend gathering data if needed to inform the coaching (such as 360 instruments or personality assessments).
• However, my experience has also taught me the limitations of an exclusively analytical approach. In my coaching, as appropriate for each situation, I will also use embodiment (working with the breath and body), creativity (music, visuals), and symbolism (for instance, metaphors and analogies).
• I am committed to explore “beneath the surface.” To create change, it is essential that we go deeper than actions and behaviors, and spend time exploring values, motivations, and stories (how we make sense of the world). How we act and feel often makes perfect sense, even if we can’t immediately see it; to have impact we must work on the greater picture.
• I understand that change often takes more than insight. We are what we practice. I often recommend exercises or practices in my coaching, to help you create new habits and experiment with new ways of acting.
• I will truly and compassionately listen, for what is said and what is left unsaid. I will ask many questions because the most powerful learning is one you reach on your own. But I will also provide resources, frameworks, concrete tips, and stories when needed, to inform you and provide options for action. And I will say it like it is! I believe in humour and the power of caring candor.

Foremost, coaching is grounded in mutual trust and respect, directed toward a set of clear outcomes, and guided by presence. You will be invited to explore possibilities—to see that there are ways to be in the world that you may not have considered before, and which could provide answers to the questions you are seeking. And ultimately, it’s not about becoming a different person, or “fixing” you; it’s about unlocking more of who you truly are.

A Typical Coaching Engagement

A coaching engagement may (but will not always) look something like this:

1-2 Foundational Session(s)

• The coaching program will start with a first contact conversation, followed by a longer intake/discovery session, to understand your context and background, and identify the focus for coaching and the desired outcomes.

Data Gathering (depending on the situation)

• If needed, we might decide to conduct a 360-degree assessment (either using a survey or through interviews).
• You might take other assessments (e.g. EQ-i Emotional Intelligence assessment, MBTI personality profile, Strengths Finder®, etc.).
• I will also review any data you might already have (e.g. team engagement survey results)

Development Plan

• After that, I will design a personalized development program for you (which you will receive in writing). The program will include the coaching purpose and expected outcomes we will have mutually agreed upon.

Ongoing 1-on-1 Coaching

• From there we engage in regular coaching conversations (usually 60min, roughly every other week) until the program is completed (10-12 coaching sessions in total).
• We will revisit the purpose and outcomes of the engagement periodically, to ensure we are following the right path.
• Throughout the program I will invite you to explore practices, exercises, and guided self-reflections in service of the outcomes we agreed upon.
• I will also routinely send you resources or further readings as sources of inspiration and learning, tailored specifically for you.

I am a member of and follow the Code of Ethics established by the International Coaching Federation. The coaching conversations will remain strictly confidential. Upon enrollment, an Informed Consent and Practice Client-Coach Agreement will be signed.

From Clients

I have coached clients in North America, United Kingdom, Europe, and Asia, at all levels of an organization. I also sometimes coach small groups – i.e. peer groups (3 to 4 people) of leaders who support each other and learn from each other.

Here’s what clients say about my coaching:

“Raluca was an amazing coach and I will forever be grateful for her understanding, gentle guidance to help me through a really challenging year.”

“Raluca’s support as a coach has been invaluable in helping me to articulate my longer term ambitions for my professional life, as well as developing practical strategies for tackling challenges in the present.”

“Working with my coach on conflict management and resolution, I now have many more tools in my toolbox for various scenarios, making me a better leader.”

“Raluca’s tips on how to communicate difficult topics gave me concrete ways to provide our management team with specific quantitative information and the impact of that information.”

“She’s an excellent listener and poses powerful questions.”