18 Mar

The Leader Who Stopped Learning

Most senior leaders don't derail because they lack intelligence or drive. They derail because they stopped learning — and didn't notice until the damage was done. In this article, executive coach Jan Salomons explores the neuroscience behind why behavioral change is so hard, the five warning signs that a leader's learning agility is eroding, and what the research really says about what separates leaders who keep growing from those who quietly plateau. Drawing on decades of evidence from Korn Ferry, the Center for Creative Leadership, and the neuroscience of neuroplasticity, this is a practical, behavior-focused guide to one of the most critical — and most overlooked — leadership competencies of our time. If you have ever caught yourself relying...
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08 Feb

From Firefighting to Learning: The Leadership Shift Operations Need

Firefighting is rational, but it traps organizations. Under pressure, leaders act on what is visible and urgent, fixing problems to keep operations moving. Yet this behavior prevents learning, reinforces firefighting, and consumes leadership capacity. Sustainable performance requires shifting from solving today’s issues to redesigning the system that creates them.
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17 Jan

Why your soft skills are now the premium skills in the AI era

Generative AI has not eliminated the need for expertise. It has eliminated the need for unexamined expertise. In organizations, the most damaging failures no longer come from a lack of technical capability, but from poor problem framing, misplaced optimization, and leaders who mistake speed for judgment. As AI takes over more of the executional “middle,” human value shifts to the boundaries: defining what truly matters and taking responsibility for real-world consequences. This is why so-called soft skills—critical thinking, systems awareness, ethical judgment, and human leadership—are no longer optional. They have become the premium capabilities of the AI era.
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11 Apr

Beyond ROI: The True Impact of Executive Coaching

Ask “What’s the ROI of coaching?” and you’ll get metrics: performance KPIs, engagement scores, 360-feedback. Useful — yet incomplete. What often remains unseen is the inner transformation: increased self-awareness, emotional regulation, and deliberate leadership behavior. Real-world stories — a leader choosing to listen rather than control; a team feeling more trusted — reveal the essence of lasting change. This blend of data and narrative gives the truest picture of progress. Discover how embracing nuance, investing in reflection, and using stories can elevate your organization’s coaching journey from mere intervention to profound transformation. Curious how to start your own development journal?
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07 Mar

Use a Train-the-Trainer to secure your organization’s future

Empowering experts to transfer their invaluable technical and tacit knowledge ensures organizational resilience and growth. A Train-the-Trainer program equips seasoned professionals to mentor successors, preserving expertise, accelerating skill development, and fostering a culture of learning. Future-proof your workforce by transforming knowledge into a living asset that drives innovation and long-term success.
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10 Jan

Effectiveness of coaching vs a leadership development program

leadership development vs coaching
Effectiveness of Coaching vs Leadership Development Programs. Organizations invest heavily in leadership development, spending up to 5% of annual revenue on training programs, yet only 11% of executives report these initiatives meet expectations. Research shows leadership training can boost job performance by 20%, but challenges remain in achieving sustained results. Leadership coaching, on the other hand, offers a personalized approach, boasting a 96% satisfaction rate and an ROI six times its cost. It excels in fostering behavioral changes and leadership effectiveness. Combining these approaches integrates cost-efficient group learning with high-ROI individual coaching, yielding powerful results. Let’s explore how this can work for your organization.
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25 Oct

How I keep my coaching focused

Setting boundaries in coaching is essential for maintaining focus and ensuring progress. When clients consistently expand the coaching scope, it often stems from underlying emotions such as uncertainty or anxiety. To manage this, I set clear goals and revisit them regularly, framing the importance of staying aligned for effective results. If new topics arise, I acknowledge them while steering the conversation back to agreed priorities. Offering additional sessions or structured scope expansion options provides flexibility without losing sight of original objectives. This balance ensures productive and results-oriented coaching sessions while respecting the client's evolving needs. I always try to keep my coaching razor focused!
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