Arete Coach 1161 Fred Chaney "TEC-niques of Leadership: From Concept to Growth of The Executive Committee to Vistage"
- S1E1161
- 1:17:50
- January 22nd 2024
In the Arete Coach Podcast episode 1161 titled, "TEC-niques of Leadership: From Concept to Growth of The Executive Committee to Vistage," host Severin Sorensen interviews Fred Chaney, an executive coach, Vistage Chair, former CEO of TEC (or The Executive Committee), and former CEO of Lonestar Steakhouse (including Texas Land and Cattle, Del Friscos, and Sullivans).
In this episode we feature Fred Chaney, a visionary entrepreneur, Vistage Chair, and former CEO of The Executive Committee (TEC), now known as Vistage Worldwide. We explore several key themes and experiences from Chaney's remarkable career. The podcast delves into Chaney's journey from his academic pursuits in engineering and psychology to his pioneering work in executive coaching and his influential role in shaping the world of executive leadership through Vistage.
Fred Chaney's career began with significant contributions to aerospace, where he worked on projects such as the lunar landing module and a manned orbital station. His transition into management education marked the inception of TEC groups for CEOs, which he started in Southern California in 1969. Chaney's approach to coaching, heavily influenced by his belief in the power of listening over instructing, was shaped by figures like Bob Nourse, the original founder of TEC, and Stephen Covey, an authority in empathetic listening. Chaney's philosophy underscores the importance of understanding and gently guiding executives rather than directing them.
Chaney's expansion of TEC into a global entity serving thousands of CEOs and executives across various countries was a significant milestone. This growth was fueled by his ability to attract and nurture high-caliber members and expand internationally, thanks in part to the contributions of key figures like Pat Hyndman. His third career phase saw him successfully chairing a major restaurant company, further demonstrating his versatile leadership and business acumen.
In the podcast, Chaney shared insights on various topics, including the challenges and rewards of executive coaching, the impact of artificial intelligence on business, and his strategies for driving group growth and effectiveness. His emphasis on opportunity over problem-solving and his anecdotal teachings provide valuable lessons for leaders and coaches alike.
The Arete Coach Podcast seeks to explore the art and science of executive coaching. You can find out more about this podcast at aretecoach.io.
This episode was produced on November 3, 2023.
Copyright © 2024 by Arete Coach™ LLC. All rights reserved.
Arete Coach: Exploring the Art and Science of Executive Coaching
“Arete Coach Podcast" Explores the "Art and Science" of Executive Coaching hosted by Severin Sorensen. The “Arete Coach Podcast" is for executive coaches and anyone considering becoming an executive coach. The podcast is especially valuable to executive coaches who are lifetime learners with deep curiosity about the "art and science" of coaching. In this podcast, the ‘art of coaching’ is explored through engaging interviews with leading executive coaches from diverse backgrounds sharing their individual coaching journeys, learnings, methods, best questions, and situational approaches to executive coaching. Beyond best practices, the podcast will regularly mine research on the ‘science of coaching’ and explores ongoing scientific discoveries and studies looking for what works and why, with an aim to improve the core body of knowledge for executive coaches and the industry. Severin Sorensen has provided over 7,500 hours of paid executive coaching sessions and he holds the following coaching certifications: ICF/ACSTH Certified Executive Coach (CEC), Certified Organizational Development Coach (CODC), Certified Life Coach (CLC); and the IAC: Coach Masteries Practioner. Severin Sorensen has an M.Phil in Economics at King's College, Cambridge University, and undergraduate degrees in Economics and Political Science from the University of Utah.
The Arete Coach Podcast is the copyright of Arete Coach LLC.
Severin Sorensen is host of the Arete Coach Podcast, where he interviews executive coaches and researchers with the aims to celebrate and explore the art and science of executive coaching today.
Severin is a senior executive coach, serial entrepreneur and lifetime learner with a passionate curiosity about people and businesses. Severin is the CEO of ePraxis LLC, a premier level retained search firm that provides executive headhunting, talent selection, and executive coaching. (www.epraxis.com)
Severin is a certified coach with an IAC Masteries Practitioner designation and 800+ hours of ICF/ACSTH and other advanced training in Executive Coaching, Organizational Development, EOS, Life Coaching, Emotional Intelligence (EQ), and Positive Intelligence (PQ). Severin has over 7,500+ hours of paid executive coaching working with high performing executives, owners, and operators of public and private companies throughout North America.Severin's coaching clients include boards of directors, CEOs, Presidents, GMs, COO, CFO, CTO, VP Engineering, VP Talent, and many other positions.
Severin lives in Park City , Utah and his virtual coach practice includes clients throughout the Americas.
From 2010-2018 Severin was a Vistage Chair where he coached three CEO and Key executive groups. In 2011, Severin received the "Rookie of the Year Chair Award" from Vistage. Since 2013, Severin has added international speaking for Vistage, CEO conferences, executive peer groups, and corporations on the topic of identifying and hiring difference making top talent.
In terms of the types of clients coached, Severin has coached new CEOs (with less than 2 years experience), large company executives (e.g., Managing Director of Rio Tinto), numerous high-growth entrepreneurs operating INC 5000 businesses, multi-generational family owned businesses, and primary-equity business owners who are still actively managing their companies. Severin has experience coaching both private and public company executives and their executive teams.
Severin's own coaching practice is tool based, using diagnostics, surveys, and Socratic questioning to get to root issues. You can learn more about Severin at epraxis.com (insights), LinkedIn, Quora, and Twitter. If you think you might be a good fit for executive coaching with Severin, he is happy to give you a free test drive coaching session to see if this would be good for you and your team. You can book a free test-drive 30 min coaching huddle at: calendly.com/epraxis.