1-1 Coaching Case Study - The Non -Profit ESG Director…
Background
A senior leader in a globally influential non-profit faced a pivotal moment. Responsible for representing some of the world’s largest organisations, they held a strong ethical stance but had yet to fully translate that into visible leadership and influence.
The challenge wasn’t just technical - it was personal. While widely respected for their expertise and quiet integrity, they weren’t always heard in the rooms where the biggest decisions were made.
A desire to influence ESG and climate change as a long term career trajectory was the ‘target’, but aligning these with internal strategy, securing buy-in, and leading through resistance required a shift - not just in structures, but in self-perception.
Objectives
The leader came to coaching with clarity around their values - doing what’s right, making a difference—but needed support to:
Increase influence and leadership integrity generally
Coactively create an ESG vision internally
Gain confidence and influence with senior stakeholders and board members
Expand remit and create a healthier balance between organisational delivery and personal values.
Develop their leadership brand.
Coaching Approach - Using the 1-1 Approach: A Three-Phase Journey Built Around You
Typically my 1-1 coaching is delivered over 10–12 sessions. It forms the foundation of a wider leadership arc - from personal clarity to professional contribution and beyond. It’s built from over 20 years of coaching leaders to succeed and enhance personal and team performance.
If you’d like to read more about my 1-1 approach, in general, you can do sp here HERE and theres more on my team coaching Here:
In this programme…
The leader was idealistic, empathic and used to communicating on behalf of ‘the group’. Our work, called for a realignment of internal dialogue to one of; what would I like to influence and how could that serve all of our purposes. A medium to long term strategy for enhanced leadership based upon delivery aligned with a ‘shirt term’ increase in visibility and alignment.
The shift created in identity and influence has lead to significant career progression and culture change.
Using the 1-1 coaching approach we centred on these 5 areas:
1. Identity & Values Alignment
Early coaching sessions focused on identity: what they were known for, what they weren’t, and what needed to shift. The leader moved from “respected but not fully seen” to stepping into a more visible, influential role. They clarified the stance they wanted to take—not just as a subject-matter expert, but as a strategic conscience for the organisation.
2. Emotional Groundwork
Underneath the strategic ambitions lay more personal questions: Can I lead this change without losing myself? Can I be both values-driven and commercially credible? The work addressed inner doubts, energy management, and the tension between humility and visibility - freeing the leader to lead from a place of grounded confidence.
3. Relational Influence
One of the breakthroughs came through shifting a high-stakes internal relationship.
A cautious senior colleague, became an advocate of the leader’s development and influence through clear deliverables and deliberate action.
4. Leadership in Action
Through my AIRISE leadership framework, we explored how to architect change in advance, initiate it with intention, and reinforce it through strong governance. This included stakeholder mapping, pre-alignment strategies, and creating feedback loops to embed cultural change.
5. Brave Decisions
A defining moment emerged when the leader chose not to dilute a sustainability initiative for easier approval. “It would’ve been quicker to bend,” they reflected, “but I wouldn’t have been comfortable with that”. The leader identified key stakeholders, early adopters and those who would ‘stick to their guns’ developing a clear pathway to influence, developing relationships based upon service to one of ‘collaboration’ and ‘blended agendas’.
Results
Strategic Advancement: The leader secured two promotions during the coaching engagement, reflecting increased trust and strategic visibility within the organisation.
External Leadership: They were appointed to a senior voluntary leadership role within the charitable sector, reinforcing their ethical leadership beyond their day job.
International Convening: They convened international gatherings to advance the ESG dialogue, creating space for honest reflection, shared learning, and practical ambition.
Environmental Milestone: Under their leadership, the organisation achieved a major operational milestone in sustainability.
Cultural Shift: A five-year ESG strategy has been rolled out, linking purpose with daily practice across the organisation and there is now an in-progress complementary people plan.
Reflections
To paraphrase the leader “I used to hope that the purpose would speak for itself. I’ve realised that clear commercial underpinning and concerted stakeholder focus, mixed with a clear strategy are what really delivers. At this level, you have to mix ethics with economics”.
The coaching journey gave them more than strategy—it gave them congruence. A way to lead that didn’t just fit their values but amplified them.
Final Word
This has been more than a delivery of a desired outcome; this has been a journey to becoming the leader the coachee wished they could be. Whilst there are still many miles to go - they are able to look proudly upon change and strategies which have altered the course of their organisation as well as shifting focus, by 1 degree or more, of some of the largest organisations in the world.
Let’s Talk
If this case study resonated with you and you’re thinking that you might be ready to take stock, get clear, or explore your next leadership step - I’d love to hear from you.
We can begin with:
A free inquisitive session
A tailored coaching proposal
Or simply a conversation to see what’s needed now
Because your next chapter deserves space, support, and clarity.
And every great leader deserves a moment to realign—before leading forward.
Helping good people lead great things
If this resonated with you…
If this message resonates with you, and you’re one of the good people leading great things, let’s talk.
Get in touch and Book an inquisitive call here.- If any of this topic resonated with you and you have something you’d like to share with me or if you’d like to discuss working with me on this topic - stefan@stefanpowell.co.uk works really well for me.
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I am…
…an executive coach who specialises in helping good people lead great things.
Good people care about others, our planet and beauty. Great things are changes for the betterment of society and all that lives within an around it.
It sounds big and fun - it is.
I am also an endurance racing cyclist and a go getter.
You can read more about me, what I do and how I work here