Arete Coach 1207 Dr Patrick Williams "Unlocking Coaching Mastery" artwork
Arete Coach: The Art & Science of Executive Coaching

Arete Coach 1207 Dr Patrick Williams "Unlocking Coaching Mastery"

  • S1E1207
  • 56:42
  • February 3rd 2025

Welcome to the Arete Coach Podcast, hosted by Severin Sorensen. In this episode, recorded via Zoom on November 27, 2024, we are joined by Dr. Patrick Williams with an episode titled "Unlocking Coaching Mastery." Dr. Williams is a pioneer in the coaching profession, Master Certified Coach (MCC), and founder of the Institute for Life Coach Training (ILCT). Dr. Williams has been instrumental in shaping the coaching industry, serving on the International Coaching Federation (ICF) board and being honored as an inaugural member of the ICF Circle of Distinction.

Dr. Williams’ journey began in humanistic and transpersonal psychology, where he recognized a gap between traditional therapy and coaching. His passion for coaching, mentoring, and emotional literacy led him to establish a training school that has impacted thousands of professionals worldwide. Beyond coaching, his work focuses on metaphors in coaching, emotional literacy, and the power of silence in deep conversations.

The Power of Silence in Coaching

Dr. Williams emphasizes the importance of pausing and active listening. He advises coaches to resist the urge to fill silence and instead allow clients space to process. This approach leads to more profound client insights and transformation.

Emotional Literacy vs. Emotional Intelligence

While Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is widely recognized, Dr. Williams advocates for Emotional Literacy, which emphasizes not just understanding emotions but also expressing them in a meaningful way. His Emotional Literacy Academy provides tools for self-awareness, authenticity, and deeper communication.

The Role of Metaphors in Coaching

Metaphors help clients describe challenges and uncover solutions in ways that resonate deeply. Dr. Williams encourages coaches to listen for natural metaphors and explore their meanings rather than imposing interpretations.

Mentorship, Legacy, and Lifelong Learning

Dr. Williams discusses the importance of mentorship, continuous learning, and leaving a living legacy. He highlights the concept of "switch mentoring," where experienced professionals learn from younger individuals while imparting wisdom in return.

As an author, speaker, and mentor, Dr. Williams continues to inspire coaches and leaders through his commitment to lifelong learning, curiosity, and personal growth.

The Arete Coach Podcast explores the art and science of executive coaching. You can find more about this podcast at aretecoach.io.

This episode was recorded on November 27, 2024.

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 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.