Coaxing Out Potential: Coaching Teams and Leaders with Yaron Prywes

In this episode, I sit down with Yaron Prywes, a coaching psychologist, executive coach, and educator whose career has been dedicated to helping leaders and teams reach their full potential. We explore the transformative power of coaching—how it builds trust, unlocks self-awareness, and helps leaders navigate challenges in both public and private sectors. From resolving conflicts to fostering accountability, Yaron shares practical tools and stories that illustrate the impact of coaching. Whether you're a leader or a team member, this conversation offers valuable insights into how coaching can create meaningful change.BIOYaron Prywes is a coaching psychologist, executive coach, and educator known for his innovative, visual approach to coaching. His work on visual action plans has been published in The Philosophy of Coaching: An International Journal, and he is currently authoring The Visual Coaching Handbook, which features a collection of creative, field-tested techniques. Yaron has led research on the outcomes of coaching and leadership development initiatives and previously taught Executive Coaching at Columbia University, where he supervised new coaches as they worked with live clients for the first time.CONNECTLINKEDINSHOWNOTES[00:00:00] Introduction and BackgroundNancy introduces Yaron, sharing the story of how they met and his dedication to coaching.[00:03:21] Yaron’s First Experience with CoachingYaron recounts his first encounter with a career coach and how it set him on his path to coaching.[00:04:53] Sports Coaching and Workplace CoachingThe parallels between sports coaching and executive coaching, focusing on performance adjustments.[00:06:50] Whole-Person CoachingYaron explains the importance of seeing clients as whole individuals and how personal and professional challenges intersect.[00:08:37] Common Scenarios for Coaching in OrganizationsTypical contexts in which coaching is introduced, particularly in public sector organizations.[00:09:24] Case Study: Hard-Charging LeaderA story about coaching a CFO with black-and-white thinking and the importance of diplomacy.[00:12:40] Team Workshops Using the NBI ToolYaron describes the Neethling Brain Instrument (NBI) and how it helps teams understand communication styles.[00:17:54] 360-Degree Feedback for LeadersThe value of 360 feedback in developing leaders and creating self-awareness.[00:22:40] Building Agency and Accountability in TeamsCoaching to empower teams to take ownership of challenges and build accountability.[00:29:33] Dealing with Workplace ConflictA case study on resolving conflict in a utilities department through coaching and team-building exercises.[00:32:55] Transformative Conversations and TrustHow sharing personal highs and lows can transform team dynamics and build trust.[00:36:44] Leadership’s Role in Creating Safe SpacesThe importance of leaders creating safe environments to surface and address issues before they escalate.[00:39:32] The Structure of a Coaching EngagementYaron outlines the typical phases of coaching: discovery, planning, and execution.[00:42:19] Coaching as a Hero’s JourneyYaron explains the metaphor of coaching clients as protagonists on a hero’s journey, navigating challenges and growth.[00:46:26] The Importance of Self-Awareness in LeadershipNancy and Yaron discuss how self-awareness helps leaders identify their strengths and weaknesses.