Coaching for Impact: How ABW Partners Helps Leaders & Their Teams Thrive
Hi there, it’s Andrea. I’m popping into the blog to speak directly to you on this topic.
There’s one type of call I always love getting: It’s when a colleague or executive reaches out to talk about coaching.
Helping people tap into their fullest potential, both professionally and personally, is deeply gratifying work for me. It’s also something I feel incredibly fortunate to have experienced myself. So many people have been generous in supporting my own growth over the years, and that continues to shape who I am today.
Leading a nonprofit, or any organization, really, has never been more complex. The external environment is fast-changing and, at times, deeply challenging. Internally, organizations are navigating evolving team dynamics, shifting priorities, and the ever-present need to do more with less.
In my experience, the best place to begin addressing these challenges is through coaching.
At its heart, effective coaching starts with powerful questions — the kind that help someone unpack their challenges, reflect deeply, and get to the root of what’s holding them back.
But here’s what I’ve discovered: While empathetic listening and thoughtful questioning are essential, they’re often not enough on their own to spark actionable change.
That’s where a more strategic, hands-on methodology becomes invaluable.
The ABW Signature Approach
Over time, this realization has helped me craft a signature approach to working with clients and colleagues — a blend of coaching, teaching, and consulting that’s both thoughtful and practical.
This approach is grounded in seeing the whole person, acknowledging that professional growth can’t be separated from personal growth. Whether we’re running a one-day workshop or engaging in a long-term consulting relationship, this mindset is woven into everything we do at ABW Partners.
And the best part? It’s a framework that any senior leader can adopt to help their own teams flourish.
If you’re a leader looking to coach your team to success, here’s a roadmap you can follow:
Set Clear Goals: Start by working with your coachee to set clear, meaningful goals. This is also a great opportunity for the coachee’s supervisor to weigh in, ensuring the goals are aligned with broader organizational priorities.
Celebrate Their Superpower: Encourage your coachee to articulate what they’re truly great at, their "superpower," and what brings them the most energy and joy in their work. Keep this front and center as you work together.
Identify Opportunity Areas: Select one or two areas where you can help the coachee build their proficiency. Don’t try to take on too much at once. Make sure to understand the challenge as it manifests in their work.
Connect the Work to Projects: Connect the developmental work to specific projects. This creates a real-time learning lab where the coachee can immediately apply new insights and skills. Whenever possible, supplement this work with articles, podcasts, or other resources to deepen their understanding.
Reflect and Debrief: Build in time to reflect together. What’s changed? What worked well? What didn’t? What can be adjusted moving forward? These debriefs are key to sustained progress.
Take Notes: Keep a log of your work together. This helps you track progress over time and keeps the work grounded in the initial goals. At the end of each check-in, jot down what might be helpful to pick up next time — but also be ready to be flexible.
Remember the “Whole Person”: Most importantly, never lose sight of the fact that your coachee is a whole person, not just someone tackling work challenges. Often, the most transformative conversations happen when someone feels safe to bring their full self into the workplace.
Ready To Invest In Your Growth?
I take on a select number of executive coaching clients each year. If you think my approach might be a good fit for you or someone on your team, I’d love to connect and talk it through.
Contact me to get started.
