Executive Leadership Coaching

The Leadership Edge: 3 strategic shifts that transform good leaders into exceptional ones In an era where change is the only constant, the difference between good and exceptional leadership isn't just about skills, it's about transformative mindsets and deliberate practices that create lasting impact. 1?? ???????????? ?????????????????? ???????????????????????? Research shows leaders with high EQ outperform peers by 20% on key performance metrics (Goleman, HBR). ???Pause with purpose: When challenges arise, take 2 seconds to process your emotions before responding. This simple practice improves clarity and tone. ???Connection over tasks: Use 1:1s to dive deeper into your team's aspirations, not just their to-do lists. Team members want to feel seen and valued. ?????? ???? ??????????????:?Your team's emotional state drives their performance state. Prioritising EQ creates trust, motivation and results. 2?? ???????????????? ?????????? ?????????????? ???????????????????????? Trust is the currency of high-performing teams and it's built through consistent, authentic actions. ???Open the floor: Host regular 'Challenge Sessions' where your team can safely question decisions and offer input. This fosters psychological safety and better ideas. ???Share the real story: Don't just celebrate wins; talk openly about lessons learned from setbacks. Vulnerability drives connection. ?????? ???? ??????????????: A culture of trust encourages innovation, loyalty, and accountability. 3?? ???????????????? ???????????????? ?????????????????? The best leaders know their energy and their team's, is their most valuable resource. ???Model balance: Demonstrate healthy boundaries and encourage your team to do the same, for example, by not sending emails after work hours. ???Energy over time: Encourage your team to prioritise energy management (rest, focus and recovery) instead of just clocking hours. ?????? ???? ??????????????: Thriving teams need leaders who value their wellbeing as much as their output. ?? ?????? ???????????????????? ??????????????????: Choose ONE of these moves and commit to it for the next 30 days. Real transformation happens through consistent small actions, not occasional big ones. Which of these moves would create the biggest ripple effect in your organisation? Transform your leadership potential and drive lasting impact with our expert coaching and leadership development programs. Contact Vera Woodhead today.

Here at Executive Leadership Coaching we believe that aligned teams achieve extraordinary results. Our founder's (Vera Woodhead) journey from leading fragmented teams to creating high-performing units taught us a powerful lesson: transformation begins with trust. When team members feel truly connected and valued, they communicate with radical candour, collaborate beyond job descriptions and unite around shared purpose. This experience inspired our proprietary BUILD Team Model, a diagnostic framework designed to transform team dynamics through 5 essential pillars: 1??Bond: Creating psychological safety and authentic connections 2??Unite: Establishing clear processes and transparent communication 3??Inspire: Connecting individual contributions to meaningful purpose 4??Learn: ?Embedding continuous improvement into team culture 5??Develop: Fostering innovation and sustainable growth We have seen remarkable transformations when teams implement these principles - better alignment, improved engagement, dynamics, communication and collaboration. Ready to transform your leadership team’s potential into peak performance? Schedule a consultation and discover how the BUILD team model can transform your team into an aligned, collaborative and high performing powerhouse https://lnkd.in/eVWyk8Pi #AlignedTeams #LeadershipTeams #BUILD

What makes a good leader? Is it bravery, compassion, innovation, inspiration? Gallup's Global Leadership Report sheds light on what followers want from their leaders. The results challenge common assumptions about leadership Most influential leaders aren't who you would expect: ? 57% of people name family members as their greatest positive influence ? Managers are the next most influential (11%) ? While only 2% point to celebrities ??Real leadership happens in our daily interactions. The 4 core needs followers seek in their leaders: 1???Hope (56%): a clear, positive vision for the future 2???Trust (33%): honesty, respect, and integrity 3???Compassion (7%): feeling cared for and heard 4???Stability (4%): psychological safety during uncertainty Key takeaways for leaders: ? Actively develop hope and initiate positive change. ? Invest in self-awareness and leverage your strengths ? Understand your specific role's demands and expectations. ? Consistently meet follower needs across all levels. ??As leaders, our impact ripples far beyond the workplace. ???Hope, trust, compassion, stability – which one do you value most in a leader? Why? Who has been the most positive influence in your life, and what made them stand out as a leader?

Invisible? Why your hard work isn't enough and what to do about it Have you ever felt invisible at work? You are delivering results. Exceeding expectations. Putting in the extra hours. And yet... nothing changes. - You are overlooked for promotions - Your contributions go unnoticed - Others with less experience seem to advance faster It's something that Vera Woodhead experienced early in her career, Studies show women are nearly twice as likely to report needing to provide more evidence of their competence to be seen as equally capable as their peers. The reality check: ?? Hard work alone will not get you noticed ?? Waiting to be 'tapped on the shoulder' is a career killer ?? Being the 'reliable go-to person' can work against you Here are 3 strategies that can transform careers: ? Keep an achievement diary: Every week, document your key achievements and positive feedback. This will help you track progress, boost confidence, prepare for reviews and effectively advocate for yourself by showcasing your contributions. ? Present measurable results in leadership meetings: Highlight specific, quantifiable impacts of your work. This makes your contributions clear and compelling to leadership. ? Confidently advocate for yourself: Communicate your achievements, focusing on your strengths and the value you bring, without downplaying your contributions. If this resonates, know this: you are not the problem. But the way you position yourself in your organisation may need to change. We help ambitious women leaders step into their power, gain recognition and get the career advancement they deserve. If you are tired of waiting to be seen, schedule a call to discuss how we can transform your career visibility strategy https://lnkd.in/eb6XhhKs

71% of CEOs feel isolated at the top. Even more struggle with imposter syndrome. Leading at the senior level comes with hidden costs that few talk about: isolation and self-doubt. Here's the reality: ??Senior leaders are 2X more likely to feel isolated than junior employees ??The higher you climb, the harder it gets to show vulnerability ??Finding true confidants becomes a rare privilege Three barriers amplify these challenges: ???The numbers game: You are part of an elite few. At the top, your peer group shrinks dramatically. When self-doubt creeps in, there are fewer people who truly understand. ??The invisible wall: Your title creates distance. Team members hesitate to share candid feedback. This isolation can fuel imposter feelings, making you question your decisions more. ??The trust challenge: Everyone wants to be your advisor. Few can be trusted to hear both your strategic challenges AND your personal doubts. Here's what works: ? Build a personal board of directors (3-5 trusted peers outside your company) ? Schedule regular "no agenda" conversations with team members ? Join exclusive peer groups where you can share both successes and uncertainties ?????Partner with a trusted advisor: we offer a confidential sounding board for both professional challenges and personal growth. Our clients gain fresh perspectives through my holistic, systemic approach to leadership - from navigating organisational change to supporting personal fulfillment. If this resonates with you or if you are an HR/L&D professional seeking to support your senior leaders we can help. Schedule a strategy call to explore tailored strategies for navigating these challenges and fostering a thriving leadership culture.

Our founder, Vera Woodhead attended the World of Learning summit 2025 and contributed to Training Journal's social media coverage which is featured in its conference summary: From Influence to Action: Key Lessons from the World of Learning Summit 2025. A compelling takeaway was John Amaechi OBE's powerful message that "The future is not skills, the future is Learning." He challenged the traditional approach to workplace learning, arguing that we have made leadership, storytelling, communication…dull.

Leadership isn’t taught in boardrooms It’s born in school yards Vera Woodhead shares her journey. I grew up in a tiny South American village. And choose to go to a school in the city. A 2 hour journey each way by bus and ferry. Dedication? Maybe. But what I gained was priceless We did school differently. Pupils were allocated a 'House'. Each House competed not just in sports, but in everything from academics to horticulture. Yes, we had a 16 acre farm with real animals and food crops Each house was a microcosm of collaboration. Success wasn't about individual achievements, but how effectively we worked together. I learnt that: 1??Strength comes from diversity 2??Every member has a unique contribution 3??Collective success outweighs individual glory These weren't just school activities. They were leadership laboratories. True leadership emerged as: ?Inclusion: making room for every voice ?Collective effort: moving forward together ?Bringing out the best in each other: lifting as we climb Perhaps it's no coincidence that I began my career in the NHS, where patients' lives depended on strong teamwork. Those early schoolyard lessons drew me to environments where collective intelligence and shared purpose are not just nice to have but crucial. Today, I help teams harness their collective strengths and unlock their full potential. Because 20 years later, these schoolyard lessons still outperform any leadership book I have?read. Leadership isn't about standing at the top. It's about lifting everyone up. Schedule a strategy call with Vera Woodhead to explore how we can help to transform your leadership team's potential into peak performance

The hidden power of coaching Traditional leadership development isn't enough. Research shows: ? Strong coaching cultures report 46% higher employee engagement. ? 86% of companies recoup their investment in coaching. ? Coaching alongside training boosts productivity by up to 88%. Coaching is crucial for talent retention: ???????????? ?????????????????????? ??????????????????????: Organisations that invest in coaching see up to 50% higher retention rates compared to those that don't ???????????????? ????????????????'?? ??????????????: 77% of organisations report that coaching significantly improves both individual and organizational performance ???????????? ?????????????????????? ???????? ??????????????:?70% of coached employees report better work performance and relationships. ???????????????????? ????????????????: Organisations that train managers in coaching skills see a 130% increase in business performance. ???????????????? ?? ?????????????? ???? ????????????:?Strong coaching cultures see 60% higher employee satisfaction. Coaching isn't just a program. It's cultural catalyst. ????????????????????? ???????? ???????????? ???????????????? ????: ?Embedding coaching in onboarding ?Making coaching central to leadership development ?Upskilling managers with coaching capabilities ?Using coaching to drive internal mobility. ?? What coaching initiatives have made the biggest impact in your organisation? Ready to unlock the hidden power of coaching in your organization?? Transform your talent strategy and drive exceptional results.? Contact Vera Woodhead to explore how our coaching programs can elevate your team's performance and satisfaction.

Sometimes transformation looks like small, meaningful shifts. While these changes may feel incremental, they create the momentum for profound, long-term growth, fundamentally reshaping how we think, act, and lead. Ready to embark on your own journey of self-discovery and create lasting change? Book a strategy call https://lnkd.in/eb6XhhKs

Your leadership isn't about being like everyone else. It's about being YOU ?? Are you playing small? Hiding behind ‘safe’? Comparing yourself to others? #Leadership