What is different about coaching ambitious people?

The world can look quite different when we take a slightly new perspective. People interested in coaching are used to the classic distinction between executive coaching and life coaching. What would coaching look like, if, instead, we focused on people with certain shared traits? Instead of considering only either anybody’s professional or personal sphere, we would look more holistically at a certain group of people with respect to their dreams and fears.

Nicolai Chen Nielsen and I did that when we started studying ambitious people. We felt a personal calling, both of us being ambitious people who have grown up academically and professionally in various highly ambitious places. Ambition is a strong force, which can help and hinder both success itself and fulfillment in life in general. This is a paradox. We have never come across a single, concentrated source of help that allows us to find a balance and live out our ambitions and life to the fullest.

The new book by Nicolai and myself offers such help and addresses ambitious people directly. We have been blessed with interest, not only from our target group but also from coaches working with our target group. Last month, I facilitated the first of three Ambitious Conversations at The Meadow, which is Cultivating Leadership’s open platform for gathering people, seeding ideas, and harvesting insights. The second conversation is on Tuesday, May 11, and has the title “How can you help ambitious people?” I’ll share a new coaching system, and there will be plenty of space for everyone to ask questions and discuss. Participation is free. Click for more information and to register.