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    • Apr 3

”Exploring the Transformative Power of Coaching in the Workplace” with Eric Kohner



Summary:

Welcome back, UpLevelers! 


This week on The UpLevel Podcast, we are kicking off a brand-new season and diving into the “ROI of Coaching in the Workplace.” Our special guest is a true pioneer in the field, Eric Kohner. Eric is not just an executive coach; he's a seasoned trainer and a trailblazer in the coaching profession. ​​He is currently a senior trainer for the Co-Active Training Institute, an organization widely recognized as the gold standard in coach training and leadership development. Join us as Eric shares captivating stories from the early days of coaching, shedding light on its origin story and the key players who laid the groundwork for what we now recognize as coaching. His journey spans over two decades within a single organization where he championed the integration of coach training, witnessing firsthand the transformative power of coaching within corporate landscapes.


In this Episode:

  • Discover how Eric transitioned from acting to consulting and eventually embraced coaching long before it became mainstream.

  • Learn about the shift from consulting actors to realizing these powerful tools could benefit professionals across all industries, leading to broader applications within various organizations.

  • Understand why Eric believes developing coaching skills is essential for modern leaders facing Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous (VUCA) environments.

  • Celebrate two decades of partnership between Eric and global consultancy firm Capgemini—a testament to how forward-thinking organizations have integrated coaching into their culture.

  • Get insights into what makes a 21st-century leader through the BADASS acronym—Bold, Authentic, Disruptive, Agile, Spacious & Supportive—and learn about integrating different aspects like heart and intuition beyond rational thinking.

  • Reflect on how embracing vulnerability has shifted Eric’s approach over time—from fierce confrontation toward softer engagement while maintaining bold authenticity as part of his brand identity.

  • Hear about Eric’s efforts outside corporate walls as he engages with marginalized communities and brings leadership development programs to correctional facilities—work inspired by a personal reckoning upon turning 65 years old.

Order of Topics:

  • Eric's Origin Story

  • Coaching Evolution

  • Addressing VUCA through Coaching

  • 20-Year Milestone with Capgemini

  • Badass Leadership Program

  • Personal Transformation Through Coaching

  • Promoting Diversity and Inclusion

  • Navigating Current Events

Action Items:

  • Become Proactive and Take Responsibility

  • Apply Coaching Techniques Across Industries

  • Embrace a BADASS Leadership Approach

  • Integrate Rational Mind and Heart in Decision-Making

  • Advocate for Social Justice Through Coaching Principles

  • Cultivate Long-Term Relationships at Work

  • Develop Skills for VUCA Environments

  • Practice Acknowledgment Regularly

  • Embrace Imperfection

  • Use Personal Challenges as Growth Opportunities


About Eric:

Eric is an executive coach, senior trainer, and pioneer in the coaching profession. He is known for his passion, where he coaches from the heart with compassion, intuition, and fearlessness. From this space, Eric co-creates with clients--from corporate executives to social justice champions--to disrupt the status quo and discover their fullest potential as leaders. Eric is the principal of his own Coaching and Leadership Development company, ekcoSYSTEM. His signature program is the BADASS Leadership Program. This program has been delivered inside organizations such as Capgemini, ING, and Sony Music Entertainment. Eric is also committed to bringing Leadership Coaching to underrepresented communities. He spearheaded CTI’s collaboration with SNUG (guns spelled backward), an anti-gun violence organization in New York State.


Eric was born and raised in New York City, where he was a taxi driver in the Big Apple early on in his acting career. He brings this surprising edge along with his trademark sincerity into his coaching relationships. Eric lives in Pasadena, California, with his wife and daughter.



About UpLevel Productions: Founded by Christie Mann, MA, CPCC, PCC, and Rachel Baldi, CPCC, PCC, UpLevel creates, produces, and delivers Transformative Experiences, Workshops, Training, Events + Media that develop leaders who make our world a healthier, more alive, and connected place to be. As Associate CTI Faculty Partners, UpLevel is licensed to sell, produce, and deliver Co-Active coach training and leadership development programs around the world to support the transformational growth of individuals and culture inside the workplace and organization. www.uplevelproductions.com Instagram @uplevelproductions Facebook & LinkedIn @uplevelproductionscompany




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