Video thumbnail of Michael's video on, "My Favorite Coaching Questions"

My Favorite Coaching Questions

For a few months I’d been asked by a newer coach to share my favorite coaching questions. This was not an easy question to answer! I’ve been coaching a long time and I can’t say I have this short list of questions that I go to again and again for maximum impact. However, I do…

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Michael Neuendorff holding up the book Coaching a-z by Haesun Moon

Tips from the book, Coaching a-z by Haesun Moon, Ph.D.

I recently read the book, Coaching a-z and found it uplifting and helpful. Each chapter is focused on a word that begins with a letter from a-z and presents a nugget for a coach to contemplate and apply to their coaching and life. It’s a great read!  Haesun’s definition of coaching – Curating stories of…

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A female coach reclining in a chair and looking on, appearing contemplative.

ICF Sets Ethical Standards for Use of AI in Executive Coaching

With Artificial Intelligence (AI) impacting more and more aspects of the business world and life in general, it’s hardly surprising that AI is now exerting significant influence on executive and leadership coaching.     As coaches and coachees grapple with the implications of this brave new world, the International Coaching Federation (ICF) has sought to bring…

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2026 banner with two book covers

Treat Coaching Like A Business in 2026

The year is drawing to a close quickly as our schedules fill up with activities that are likely not business related. That makes lots of sense since we’re smack dab in the middle of the holiday season. It’s a good excuse to let up on the gas pedal of our coaching business. But what about…

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A group of ICF Converge 2025 attendees, including Michael Neuendorff.

AI was a big deal at ICF Converge

The ICF held their annual Converge conference in San Diego, CA this past October. It was a well-attended conference pulling in people from 50 countries. There was a wide range of content, but one topic stood out among the various subject areas: AI.   There were numerous AI sessions, which isn’t surprising since coaches are…

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A therapist listening intently to a client.

Coaching Vs. Therapy, What’s the Difference?

Executive Summary: Coaching and therapy serve complementary, but distinct roles. Therapy is a state-regulated medical field, and seeks to help individuals heal from past and present traumas and manage mental health challenges. Coaching, on the other hand, has its own parameters and credentials provided by independent organizations, and it is task-based, helping clients achieve specific…

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Photo of two women talking to each other.

Is Coaching Just Asking Questions?

In a recent class I was asked how I would respond to someone who thinks that coaching is just asking a lot of questions. Isn’t it interesting that to this day there are still those out there who think this is what we do in coaching sessions – ask, ask, and ask some more.  …

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Four images representing: the book "The Science of Change", ICF Concerge 2025, Losing Our Minds to AI article, and BetterUP AI coaching tool.

Odds and Ends

Coaching is always evolving, and with it comes new tools, fresh perspectives, and thought-provoking resources. In this edition of Odds and Ends, I’m sharing updates that caught my attention from groundbreaking books and AI-driven coaching tools to innovative approaches like asynchronous coaching. Whether you’re looking to deepen your practice, explore new ideas, or connect with…

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A woman reading a book

Unlocking Leadership Potential: 10 Must-Read Books on Executive Coaching

One exciting aspect of the coaching and leadership development industry is the cascade of excellent books that appear on an on-going basis. Here’s a list of 10 highly recommended books to help you grow and refine your coaching work, listed in no particular order.   The Advice Trap: Be Humble, Stay Curious & Change the…

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An artist’s illustration of artificial intelligence (AI)

Should AI be involved in your coaching business?

Ah, AI, AI, AI. We just can’t stop talking about AI, can we? Well, whether we want to or are forced to, it seems every industry is on a collision course with AI in one way or another.   I was coaching a client yesterday as part of a pro-bono arrangement via Reciprocoach and they…

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Two people having a meeting.

Should you seek out Coaching Supervision?

Are you familiar with Coaching Supervision? Have you ever had formal Supervision? As you know if you’ve been following me for some time, I’m enrolled in a Level 3 program to, hopefully, get my MCC this year. As part of this learning journey, I’m getting 40 hours of training on Coaching Supervision. I was aware…

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A graphic of a paper plane going down the graph.

Trust in Business Leadership is Down

Each year I set aside time to look at the Edelman Trust Barometer. This organization studies the level of trust globally in government, the media, NGOs and business and puts together a comprehensive report that’s free of charge and informative. You can get the full report or condensed Top 10 findings on their website. This report…

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A collage of YouTube video thumbnails of different executive coaches.

What experienced coaches would do differently in year 1

As you know, I often interview coaches for my channel to provide you with different perspectives. I recently interviewed an experienced coach based in Germany and asked them what they’d do differently in year 1. Their answer was to do more networking and connecting with people. This is not the first time I’ve heard this response. I’ve…

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Three torn strips of paper on a blue background, assembled to say "Return On Investment." The first letter of each word is red, spelling "ROI."

Executive Coaching has Measurable ROI

The ICF recently released an article about the ROI of coaching. This is an important topic for buyers of coaching. Beyond the intangible benefits of feeling more confident and assured in certain situations, they also want proof that it’s working. Here are some key statistics from the article: There is a strong correlation between coaching and increased…

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Two women sitting down and talking amicably.

Best Practices to Build a Thriving Executive Coaching Practice

Executive Summary:  Building a thriving executive coaching practice requires more than just strong coaching skills—it calls for a commitment to continual growth, professional integrity, client-centered service, and sound business practices. The best coaches earn respected credentials, maintain strict confidentiality, and place the client at the center of every engagement. They stay adaptable, encourage self-awareness and…

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A man sitting at a glass table gesturing with his hands.

10 Trends in Executive Coaching

Executive Summary:  Executive coaching is evolving rapidly, influenced by advancements in neuroscience, technology, globalization, and changing workforce needs. This blog outlines ten key trends that are shaping the future of executive coaching, from the increased use of neuroscience and emotional intelligence to the mainstream adoption of remote and team coaching. As coaching becomes more widely…

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Man wearing white headphones listening to audio coaching.

Have you tried audio-only coaching?

As a professional coach, it’s likely you will spend numerous hours each day on video. Indeed, I sometimes have as many as 6 hours of video meetings in a day. But do they need to be that way? I recently presented a 3-hour team development class using the Five Behaviors program material. Interestingly, this leadership…

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A woman sitting at a desk with her finger on her lips, indicating to be quiet.

Why is silence so hard?

You have likely already heard about the power of silence in a coaching session. These are extended periods of quiet where you and your client think deeply about what is important in that moment. You take your time to consider what to say next as a coach and the client takes time to explore themselves…

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People at the Business Meeting

How to get sponsored coaching clients

Executive Summary:  Sponsored coaching engagements offer long-term stability, higher rates, and the opportunity to create greater organizational impact. While many new coaches are eager to pursue sponsored clients, they often struggle with how to get started. This post outlines eight actionable strategies to help you secure those opportunities from networking with decision-makers and presenting at…

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An executive coaching session with two professionals.

A sure sign of the impact of coaching

I recently had a coaching session where my coachee shared with me that they are starting to use techniques with their directs like reframing and open-ended questions. And better yet, they’re working. What music to my ears! They went on to say that they are seeing the value of acting as a coaching leader with…

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