Arete Coach 1157 Ozzie Gontang "Heart and Soul of Chairing" artwork
Arete Coach: The Art & Science of Executive Coaching

Arete Coach 1157 Ozzie Gontang "Heart and Soul of Chairing"

  • S1E1157
  • 1:21:17
  • December 21st 2023

In the Arete Coach Podcast episode 1157 the "Heart and Soul of Chairing" host Severin Sorensen interviews senior executive coach Ozzie Gontang. Ozzie is a masterful executive coach, a Vistage COPE Award winner, counselor, and psychotherapist. Based in San Diego, California, he has significantly contributed to the fields of leadership and executive coaching, both nationally and internationally. Gontang, who has practiced psychotherapy since 1976, is also an experienced lecturer on intensive cardiac rehabilitation with UC San Diego Health, a role he has held since 2018. His extensive background includes being a prominent Vistage chair from 1986 to 2002, earning notable recognition like the COPE Award in 2001. Additionally, Gontang holds a Ph.D. in psychology and is an avid marathon runner, having completed an impressive 81 marathons.

In this engaging episode of the Arete Coach Podcast, host Severin Sorensen converses with Ozzie Gontang, a distinguished executive coach and Vistage COPE Award winner. The discussion, titled "Heart and Soul of Chairing," delves into the intricate aspects of executive coaching, exploring themes such as mentorship, resilience, and the transformative journey of self-discovery, akin to Odysseus' odyssey. Gontang, with his profound experience in psychotherapy, imparts valuable insights on active listening, empathy, and the significance of humor in coaching. The episode also touches upon the art of improvisation and the importance of maintaining integrity and values in the coaching profession. Through vivid metaphors and personal anecdotes, Gontang vividly illustrates the multifaceted role of a coach in guiding and nurturing business leaders. This episode offers a treasure trove of wisdom for both seasoned and aspiring coaches.

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 December 19, 2023.

Copyright © 2023 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 avatar
Severin Sorensen
Host, Arete Coach Podcast

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.