When I began my journey into executive coaching, one question came up again and again: “How do you combine coaching with your role as a corporate executive?”
For some, these two roles may seem contradictory — one being about leading and making decisions, the other about listening and holding space. But in reality, they are deeply complementary. In my own path, I’ve discovered that walking in both worlds has not only made me a better coach, but also a better leader.
The Corporate Lens: Staying Close to Reality
Every day in my role as Head of Deal-to-Cash Operations at Alpiq, I deal with the complexities of leading teams, navigating change, and managing uncertainty. Transformation programs, system landscapes, outsourcing models — these are not abstract theories, they are the daily realities I face with my colleagues.
Because of this, when I sit down with a coaching client, I don’t just bring curiosity and questions. I also bring lived experience of what it means to lead under pressure, to balance stakeholders, to make tough calls, and to find clarity in complexity. This keeps my coaching grounded, practical, and deeply relevant.
The Coaching Lens: Leading with Presence
At the same time, coaching has profoundly reshaped how I show up as a leader. Through my training at IMD and the many coaching conversations I’ve had, I’ve learned the art of deep listening, of asking instead of telling, and of creating a safe space where others can grow.
In corporate life, it’s easy to get caught in speed, efficiency, and problem-solving. Coaching invites me to slow down, to stay present, and to truly see the person in front of me. This shift has transformed how I engage with my own team — I lead with more openness, trust, and authenticity.
Advantages of Living Both Roles
- Authenticity – My clients know I am “in the trenches” too. I don’t just speak about leadership from books; I live it daily.
- Empathy – Having faced highs and lows in my own journey, I can meet people where they are, without judgment.
- Relevance – The challenges I coach on — change, resilience, difficult conversations, navigating politics — are the very challenges I face myself.
- Integration – Coaching sharpens my leadership skills, and leading enriches my coaching. Each role feeds the other.
- Impact – Ultimately, this dual perspective allows me to help others unlock their potential — whether it’s my colleagues at Alpiq or my coaching clients through Owl & Fire.
A Personal Note
For me, this is not about wearing two hats, but about living one integrated story. Coaching is not something I “add on” to my executive role — it’s part of how I lead, how I connect, and how I see the world.
And as I continue this journey, I am reminded that the real magic happens when we stop separating roles and instead allow them to enrich each other. That is where presence, clarity, and transformation truly begin.
"At Owl & Fire, I bring the depth of an executive and the presence of a coach — because leadership is not just about doing, it’s about being."
