FAQs
Here are some of the most common FAQs for executive coaching — regarding what coaching is and isn't, the process, and my services. Do you have a question that is not answered below? Don't hesitate to reach out.
Executive coaching is a high-impact developmental partnership between coach and business leader (client), where both engage in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires and challenges the client to maximize personal and professional potential. Executive coaches are often thought of as thought partners, accountability partners, advisors, sounding boards, advocates, and people who challenge you all at once.
Coaching is designed to facilitate the creation/development of professional and/or business goals – and to develop and carry out a strategy to achieve those goals. Executive coaching is standard for leaders today, and often noted as the key differentiator in elevating their career, their success, and their enjoyment in life – both personally and professionally.
Melissa is an executive and leadership coach, trained in ontological coaching. This means that in coaching, she focuses on how clients are being, rather than only strategizing on what they are doing. Because she provides customized solutions for leaders and organizations, every coaching engagement is different and based around the needs of each client. While the specifics of the approach look different for each leader, she always focuses her clients on integrating their states of “being” and "doing.” When these two align, profound leaps in leadership become possible.
We coach high-achieving leaders, particularly those who are moving through transitions or taking on big challenges. We have coached leaders ranging from C-suite executives to mid-level management, from Fortune 500 companies to startups, and across highly diverse industries including technology, finance, biotech, media, e-commerce, healthcare, education, manufacturing, and non-profit.
The two factors that distinguish our most successful clients are commitment and fit. First, we work with clients who are committed to the coaching process and ready to do the work and make a change. Second, it is important to find the right fit between coach and client, which we believe is far more important than industry or title. You have to connect with the coach and their coaching style if you are going to work together successfully. If you are interested in working with us and are connecting with what you are reading, let’s have a chat.
We offer 1:1 individual and group coaching on the phone, over Zoom video calls, and in-person. We can co-create the type of coaching engagement that will work best for your needs.
The cost of coaching varies based on several factors, including the type and length of coaching engagement you choose, your specific situation and goals, and whether your organization is sponsoring you or you are engaging with a coach on your own. We would be happy to discuss pricing and options with you when we connect.
Many organizations now recognize the value that external coaches bring to their key and emerging leaders, and are cognizant of the significant ROI that executive coaching experiences can have on teams and individuals. Because of this emerging trend, often organizations are happy to contribute to coaching by sponsoring those interested leaders – viewing it as both a benefit and an investment in their talent. We also work with clients who choose to invest in themselves, hiring us directly rather than contracting through their organization.
Coaching is a partnership, and like any partnership, you have to find the right partner for the endeavor to thrive. This means that the fit between coach and client is most important when you are searching for a coach.
We always recommend scheduling several discovery calls to get to know a variety of coaches and coaching styles, until you meet one with whom you really connect. The great thing about Wide Lens Leadership is we have a team of coaches, so when you reach out, we can connect you with several coaches for you to choose from. If the content on this website resonates with you, please reach out. We would welcome the opportunity to meet you.
We provide customized solutions for leaders and organizations. While the specifics of the approach look different for each leader, we always focus our clients on integrating their states of “being” and "doing” to maximize the impact coaching has on their leadership potential.
We guide clients through a process of inquiry, feedback, assessments, and looking inward to discover not just what they do and have accomplished, but also how they work and what makes them feel inspired, motivated, challenged, and purposeful. Together, we generate insights and map out a development plan to reach their goals based on strengths and development needs.
In consulting engagements, the consultant’s role is the expert, where they advise a client or organization on a particular subject or challenge. Most often consultants come in to provide expert opinions, analysis and recommendations, answer questions, and advise clients on specific solutions or strategies, based on their own experience.
Executive coaching is a more co-creative partnership between coach and client, where both engage in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires and challenges the client to maximize personal and professional potential. The coaching approach is much more connected to questions than answers, where coaches are skilled at guiding conversations to help the client uncover blind spots, build deeper awareness, and arrive at their own answers – and coaches support them throughout the learning and achievement process. Executive coaches are often thought of as thought partners, accountability partners, advisors, sounding boards, advocates, and challengers all at once.
In therapy, clients look to therapists for solutions, diagnoses, and treatment plans to get better, find relief, or improve upon a mental health problem they are dealing with. Therapy and counseling are likely going to focus on working with one’s past experiences to resolve the problem they are having.
In executive coaching, there is no diagnosis because coaches see clients as already full of insight and answers. Rather than being remedial, coaching is a generative and developmental process that focuses on leadership growth, goals, advancement, and future ambitions.
We coach leaders who are ready to do the work involved with coaching and ready to make meaningful changes. If you are committed and open to the experience, we will partner in a way that supports you to meet your goals. If you expect overnight changes and quick fixes to your challenges, our coaching partnership won’t work. What we can promise is meaningful change that is a product of incremental shifts and experiential learning.
We can’t tell you exactly how this will work because the work we do is tailored to the needs of every client. What we can say is that we will focus on giving you alternate perspectives, which will lead to new ways of thinking about your challenges, which will lead to new actions you will take that will lead to meaningful change. If you are committed to this process, you will accomplish what you set out to do in our coaching partnership.



































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