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Vanguard Leadership Coaching

Lead with Confidence and Clarity

Sean Robinson, PhD, PCC
Coach  |  Trainer  |  Facilitator  |  Mentor 

Vanguard Leadership

Vanguard leadership is a concept that extends beyond traditional notions of management, emphasizing transformative leadership practices that challenge existing norms and mindsets. This leadership style actively engages people in a collective transformation process, facilitating the emergence of new ways of being, thinking, and doing. Vanguard leadership is crucial for personal, professional, and organizational development, where leaders must act as catalysts for growth and development. To effectively operationalize vanguard leadership, it is imperative that leaders adopt a multi-faceted approach, emphasizing collaboration and adaptability. Additionally, successful vanguard leaders exhibit critical interpersonal skills essential for building collective commitment. Such leaders foster environments grounded in trust and open communication, empowering individuals at all levels of the organization to contribute meaningfully to the transformation process. With a focus on engaging and including diverse stakeholder perspectives, vanguard leadership champions collaborative decision-making and shared ownership, which are crucial for addressing the complexities and challenges faced in dynamic environments. Vanguard leaders recognize the importance of an open, honest and consultative approach. They act as facilitators in team brainstorming and discussions, encouraging creativity and allowing solutions to come from the best insights of the group.  A vanguard leader instead sets aside their self-interest in an attempt to find ways of helping each discover beneficial solutions. Vanguard leaders are sound networkers who help to build and sustain relationships with other teams within the business. They often take an interest in business trends outside of their own company or industry, thinking outside the box and encouraging innovation. Vanguard leaders recognize that employees are increasingly seeking greater autonomy and engagement. Yet rather than taking a hands-off approach, under their management leaders and team members work closely on a daily basis. This provides the opportunity for regular feedback and also allows for any issues to be quickly addressed. A Vanguard leader is personal leader, someone who wears their heart on their sleeve and often interacts closely with their team. They often seek feedback from those they lead and believe in fairness and equality, promoting trust and striving for shared understanding.

My Approach

At Vanguard Leadership Coaching, I provide tailored coaching solutions for aspiring and current managers, leaders, and executives, as well as teams, to achieve their own style of vanguard leadership. My goal is to enhance leadership capabilities, foster personal growth, and drive professional success through targeted coaching engagements. My coaching practice is grounded in evidence-based techniques drawn from positive psychology, organizational behavior, and management science. With a focus on creating your vison, harnessing your strengths, and building your capacity, I am dedicated to empowering individuals and teams to lead with confidence and clarity.

If you are ready to level up your management and leadership skills and step into being a Vanguard Leader, contact me to start your journey.

About Me

Passion – Commitment – Compassion – Curiosity – Humor – Warmth – Intentionality

These are but a few of my primary values that lead my personal and professional life. I love my work and enjoy offering my clients the best of my multidisciplinary training in education, psychology, business, coaching, and wellness by combining all my skills to provide an easy, friendly and profound coaching experience. My style is conversational, and my approach is strengths-based and aspiration driven. I work with my clients to provide the structure, accountability and focus that enable them to set better goals, explore bigger possibilities, and achieve greater success and satisfaction in work or life. 

After almost 20 years as a therapist, I made the transition to coaching, working with creative-types, entrepreneurs, small business owners, non-profit managers, and leaders/executives focusing on both individual and organizational goals and success strategies. My client portfolio spans global industries such as education, technology, health and wellness, insurance, manufacturing, and financial services; my organizational clients have included Holcim Emerging Leaders; USAA; UK Department for Business & Trade (Diplomatic level); Siemens Energy Global; Siemens Health; Amazon EU; Leica Biosystems; Texas Tech University System; Stanford University; Johns Hopkins University; Jefferson Health; and Fordham University.

In addition to my coaching practice, I am a Professor of Leadership at Morgan State University. My current academic research explores resilience, psychological capital and safety, and trust in the workplace. 

Coaching Background

  • Certified Professional Coach (PCC), International Coaching Federation (ICF)

  • Certified Coach Practitioner (EIA), European Mentoring & Coaching Council (EMCC)

  • Certified Individual Team Coach  (ITCA), European Mentoring & Coaching Council, (EMCC)

  • Team Coaching Certified Practitioner (ICF), Global Team Coaching Institute (GTCI)

  • Certified Coach Supervisor, Beckett-McInroy Consulting

  • Certified Trauma Informed Coach (ICF), Moving the Human Spirit

  • Certified Applied Positive Psychology Coach (ICF), Institute for Positive Psychology Coaching

  • Certified Leadership & Executive Coach (ICF), Symbiosis Coaching

  • Certified Organizational Development & Change Management Coach (ICF), Symbiosis Coaching

  • Senior Faculty, Symbiosis Coach Training Institute

Academic Background

  • PhD, Leadership & Policy Analysis, University of Wisconsin-Madison

  • MBA, Management & Human Resources, University of Wisconsin-Madison

  • M.Ed., Counseling Psychology,  College of William & Mary

  • B.A., Psychology,  University of Virginia

One-on-One Coaching

Personalized Guidance

One-on-one coaching sessions offer personalized guidance and strategies to help professionals excel in their roles. Through individualized coaching, together we will address specific challenges, leverage your strengths, and enhance your effectiveness.  Whether you are an individual contributor or a senior executive,  coaching can bring increased clarity on what’s most important in your life and career.

My clients include:

  • Aspiring Managers & Leaders

  • New Leaders/Managers

  • Mid-level Leaders/Directors

  • Senior/Executive Leaders

  • Those looking to move up the career ladder

  • Those in career transition, including  moving laterally, or into a different field altogether

Group Coaching

Collaborative Learning

Group coaching is a collaborative and interactive process where leaders come together to work towards their personal or professional goals under the guidance of a coach. It works effectively because it fosters a sense of community, allowing participants to share experiences, gain diverse perspectives, and provide mutual support. Typically, group coaching is structured around regular sessions that include discussions, activities, and goal-setting exercises, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to contribute and grow. This format not only enhances accountability but also encourages participants to learn from another, creating a rich learning environment. Contact me to set up a group coaching program for 4-8 individuals, or check back for future group coaching programs.

Team Coaching

Enhancing Performance

Team coaching is a collaborative process that aims to enhance team performance and effectiveness. It involves a coach working with a team to identify goals, improve communication, and foster a supportive environment. This approach works by leveraging the collective strengths of team members, encouraging accountability, and facilitating open dialogue. Ultimately, team coaching leads to improved collaboration, higher morale, and better overall results for the organization.

Coaching Services

Mentor Coaching

Mastering Competencies

 Through constructive feedback, skill enhancement, and sharing of best practices, mentor coaching helps coaches refine their techniques, build confidence, and improve overall effectiveness. This collaborative relationship fosters personal growth and professional excellence, empowering coaches to better serve their clients and achieve their goals.

Coach Supervision

Enhancing Capabilities

Supervision provides a space for coaches to discuss their experiences, challenges, and successes, fostering growth and accountability. Through supervision, individuals can gain insights, explore new perspectives, and address any blind, ultimately leading to improved coaching outcomes for their clients. This collaborative process helps to cultivate a deeper understanding of the coaching relationship, making a significant impact on both the coach and their clients.

Assessments

 Awareness & Insight

Coaching assessments are valuable tools that provide individual leaders and teams with critical awareness and insights into their strengths and areas for improvement. This process can enhance personal growth and drive team performance leading to a more cohesive and effective organization. Assessments include:  Hogan Assessments, EQ-i2 (Emotional Intelligence), PrinciplesYou Leadership Assessment, LINC Personality Profile (LPP), MAPP (Motivational Appraisal of Personal Potential), VIA Strengths Inventory

What My Clients Say

What Sean offers is a voice of reason and a supportive challenge to your everyday thinking.  He does not lose focus on what was, rather he focuses on what is and what can be true. I came to Sean for help in trying to find my own identity professionally. I very much suffered from “imposter syndrome” as a professor and academic. Sean helped me realize my true value and worth. He pushed me beyond the head knowledge to become much more practical about my solutions. We devised a plan of action for how to handle classes. We developed a flow chart for scholarship ideas to motivate me. Better still, he helped me recognize my own abilities and to stop discounting my successes and accomplishments. He helped me to stop being afraid of failure and to embrace the challenge of succeeding. The sessions themselves are spent thinking critically about what you are bringing to the table for discussion. In a world that is filled with negativity and everyone shouting their own thoughts and ideas, Sean offers a buoy to seek refuge in the quiet and reflective moments. He truly listens to and cares about his clients. It has been a humbling and empowering journey with Sean. I value everything and cherish every moment. I am forever changed because I took the risk to ask for help.

Michelle W.

Assistant Professor

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Feel free to let me know what goals you are working towards, what challenges you are experiencing, or what you might be looking for coaching around.

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