In this engaging episode of the Arete Coach Podcast, titled "From Engineering Expertise to Master Chair Leadership," host Severin Sorensen interviews Susan Motkaluk, a visionary leader, Master Chair, CEO, and Board Advisor with TEC Canada. With over 25 years of experience spanning civil engineering, project management, infrastructure innovation, and executive coaching, Susan brings a rich interdisciplinary perspective to leadership excellence. Recognized for her work in sustainable development and awarded for her contributions by the United Nations, Susan shares her insights on coaching, leadership, and building communities of excellence.

Susan’s journey into executive coaching is a testament to curiosity, resilience, and lifelong learning. An early achiever in engineering and leadership roles, Susan led large groups in the oil sands and public sector positions, including as a Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). Recognizing gaps in leadership tools early in her career, she sought mentors who became instrumental in her growth.

Her engineering background, particularly first principles thinking developed at the University of Waterloo, became the cornerstone of her coaching philosophy—encouraging structured problem-solving, curiosity, and assembling diverse teams.

Today, Susan channels her passion into leading TEC Canada peer groups, running her company SDM Inc (Sustainable Development and Monitoring), facilitating leadership alignment workshops, and serving on private company boards, helping leaders and communities grow sustainably.

Key Insights

1. Coaching Rooted in First Principles and Curiosity. Susan blends engineering problem-solving techniques with deep curiosity, helping clients move beyond surface-level issues to uncover root causes and achieve sustainable success.

2. The Power of Mentorship and Community Building. Susan credits much of her success to mentors she actively sought out. She stresses that leaders must not only create but recognize opportunity—and that belonging and connection are crucial antidotes to the epidemic of loneliness in leadership roles.

3. Alignment as the Heart of Effective Leadership. Building and aligning leadership teams around shared values and purpose is central to Susan’s work. She champions “carefrontational” conversations—honest yet compassionate dialogues that drive deeper connections and actionable insights.

4. Courageous Leadership and Authenticity. Susan emphasizes the need for courage in leadership: telling the truth with care, remaining authentic, and making bold decisions even when misunderstood.

5. AI and Decision-Making in Leadership. While recognizing AI’s ability to optimize decision-making processes, Susan insists that human intuition, gut instincts, and the spark of original ideas remain irreplaceable. She promotes a balance between data-driven tools and human ingenuity.

Memorable Quotes

1. "If you don't know, somebody might know—so keep asking and surround yourself with great people."
2. "You have to see the invisible to do the impossible."
3. "Opportunity is a blessing, but recognizing it is a skill."
4. "Alignment happens when everything clicks—and that’s when the real magic starts."

The Arete Coach Podcast explores the art and science of executive coaching. You can find more about this podcast at aretecoach.io.

This episode was recorded on March 10, 2025.

Copyright © 2025 by Arete Coach™ LLC. All rights reserved.

Welcome to the Arete Coach Podcast, hosted by Severin Sorensen. In this episode titled "Mastery in Motion — Journey to Coaching Excellence and Leadership Impact," Severin speaks with Dr. Wai K Leong, an accomplished ICF Master Certified Coach (MCC), ICF Global Board Director, and Founder of JMC Coach Mastery Academy.

Recorded on December 20, 2024, this conversation explores Wai K’s journey from corporate leadership to coaching mastery, and his influential role in building coaching cultures across Asia and beyond. Recognized as the first Malaysian to receive the MCC credential and a member of the ICF Circle of Distinction (2019), Wai K shares powerful lessons for leaders and executive coaches seeking excellence.

Wai K Leong’s career began in education and corporate leadership, including significant roles at Intel and the Hong Leong Group, before he transitioned fully into coaching. His early leadership challenges sparked a deep interest in coaching methodologies, greatly influenced by the teachings of Thomas Leonard.

In 1999, Wai K founded the JMC Coach Mastery Academy, establishing one of ASEAN’s first ICF-accredited institutions with all four accredited coaching programs. His authored works — including Empowering Asian Mindsets Through Coaching — blend coaching mastery with cultural intelligence, empowering leaders to drive transformational change.

Key Insights

1. Mastery Beyond Tools: Transforming the Self

Wai K emphasizes that true coaching excellence requires a personal transformation — not just mastering techniques, but deep inner work, developing self-awareness, and practicing courageous presence.

2. The Power of Staying Curious

He illustrates the importance of "remaining in a state of not knowing," allowing deeper client truths to emerge without rushing to conclusions, a hallmark of masterful coaching.

3. Narratives Shape Leadership

Wai K teaches that problems are symptoms of deeper assumptions and beliefs, and coaches must guide clients to reframe unhelpful narratives for true progress.

4. Cultural Bridges in Coaching

Addressing the differences between Eastern and Western mindsets, Wai K shares strategies for adapting coaching approaches across cultures, fostering reflection even where expressiveness may not be culturally natural.

5. Lifelong Development and Reflection

From mastering presence to reinforcing healthy boundaries, Wai K champions continuous personal development as the foundation of lasting coaching impact.

Closing & Copyright Information

This episode of the Arete Coach Podcast featuring Wai K Leong, MCC was recorded on December 20, 2024, via Zoom video.

The Arete Coach Podcast explores the art and science of executive coaching. You can find more about this podcast at aretecoach.io.

Copyright © 2024 by Arete Coach™ LLC. All rights reserved.

© 2024 Arete Coach. All rights reserved.

To learn more about Wai K’s work, visit JMC Coach Mastery Academy or connect with him via LinkedIn.

"Mastering the Art of Coaching: On Readiness, Supervision, and Growth."

In this episode of the Arete Coach Podcast, host Severin Sorensen welcomes Clare Norman, a Master Certified Coach (MCC), author, and master mentor coach based in Brockenhurst, England. With over 25 years of experience in leadership and coaching, Clare specializes in executive coaching, leadership transitions, team coaching, and fostering coaching cultures within organizations. She is also the founder of Clare Norman Coaching Associates and the author of several books, including The Transformational Coach, Mentor Coaching: A Practical Guide, and her latest release, Cultivating Coachability. In this conversation, Clare shares her insights on coaching readiness, supervision, and the journey toward masterful coaching.

Clare’s path into coaching began during her tenure at Accenture, where she recognized the gap between leadership training and the practical application of learned concepts in the workplace. Witnessing the struggle leaders faced in implementing training-driven changes, she discovered coaching as a powerful tool for sustained behavioral transformation. Her research-based approach led her to champion coaching as an organizational development tool, earning her the self-appointed title of “advocate for coaching” within Accenture.

Clare’s journey toward mastery was gradual, transitioning from an ACC to PCC and ultimately to an MCC credential with the International Coaching Federation (ICF). She emphasizes the importance of supervision in this journey, highlighting how mentor coaching and supervision allowed her to unlearn ineffective habits, refine her skills, and deepen her presence as a coach.

Key Insights & Takeaways

1. The Role of Supervision in Coaching Mastery

• Coaching supervision is essential for ethical, professional, and personal growth.
• It provides a reflective space to analyze coaching effectiveness, ethical dilemmas, and personal biases.
• Supervision helps coaches avoid common pitfalls and ensures they remain client-centered.

2. Coaching Readiness vs. Coachability

• Clare differentiates between “coaching readiness” and “coachability.”
• Not everyone is immediately ready for coaching; readiness depends on motivation, timing, and willingness to engage in deep thinking.
• Organizations should assess coaching readiness before assigning a coach to an executive.

3. The Journey from PCC to MCC

• Mastery requires significant unlearning, particularly around directive coaching tendencies.
• Key shifts include summarizing less, using the client’s own words to formulate powerful questions, and focusing on depth over breadth.
• Effective coaching is about presence, patience, and helping clients slow down to gain clarity.

4. The Importance of Full-Body Wisdom in Coaching

• Coaching is not just about cognitive processing but also involves emotional and somatic awareness.
• Encouraging clients to stand, move, or explore metaphors can unlock deeper insights.
• Full-body wisdom integrates intuition, gut feelings, and physical awareness into coaching conversations.

5. The Intersection of AI and Coaching

• Clare acknowledges the rise of AI-driven coaching but emphasizes that human connection remains irreplaceable.
• AI can serve as a useful in-between tool for coaching clients but should not replace human coaches.
• Ethical concerns and ensuring AI remains non-directive are critical.

Memorable Quotes

“Hours of coaching do not a master make.”

“Our job as coaches is to build the client’s thinking muscles, not do the thinking for them.”

“Supervision isn’t about fixing; it’s about refining and deepening our coaching presence.”

The Arete Coach Podcast explores the art and science of executive coaching. You can find more about this podcast at aretecoach.io.

This episode was recorded on February 7, 2025.

Copyright © 2025 by Arete Coach™ LLC. All rights reserved.

In this timely episode of the Arete Coach Podcast, host Severin Sorensen provides an essential guide for CEOs and business leaders navigating the turbulent economic landscape following the introduction of new tariffs by the Trump administration.

Recorded on March 5, 2025, this episode explores the undercurrents of financial markets reacting sharply and economic uncertainty rising, and this episode offers 10 strategic actions that leaders can take to fortify their businesses and emerge stronger in the face of volatility.

Severin examines the latest market data, including significant declines in the Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq, and the ripple effects across key industries such as automotive, oil and gas, manufacturing, and agriculture. He highlights the potential impact of tariffs on inflation, consumer spending, trade relations, and monetary policy.

But more importantly, this episode isn’t just about identifying challenges—it’s about solutions. Severin shares a structured 10-point strategy to help CEOs lead with confidence, including:

✔ Preserving and strengthening cash reserves

✔ Managing interest rate and debt exposure

✔ Strengthening financial forecasting and scenario planning

✔ Optimizing and lean-out business operations

✔ Investing in workforce resilience and automation

✔ Deepening customer relationships and value propositions

✔ Staying opportunistic and preparing to invest when others retreat

✔ Monitoring supply chain and trade risks closely

✔ Leaning on trusted advisors and industry networks

✔ Projecting strength, stability, and confidence as a leader

Using powerful maritime metaphors, Severin likens business leadership to captaining a ship through stormy seas—emphasizing the importance of foresight, adaptability, and calm decision-making.

Memorable Quotes:

"The best captains don’t panic when the winds shift—they adjust their sails."

"In economic storms, businesses rarely sink because of profitability issues; they sink because they run out of cash."

"A lighter ship moves faster and can navigate narrow passages that would ground a heavier vessel."

"Your most loyal customers are your anchor during economic storms."

"No captain navigates unfamiliar waters without consulting charts created by those who have sailed there before."

The Arete Coach Podcast explores the art and science of executive coaching. You can find more about this podcast at aretecoach.io.

This episode was recorded on March 5, 2024.

Copyright © 2025 by Arete Coach™ LLC. All rights reserved.

Arete Coach Podcast - Episode 1210 - with Severin Sorensen, "Building Bridges in Coaching, Leadership, and AI"

Featuring Guest Host: Larry Cassidy as he interviews Severin Sorensen

Recorded: December 12, 2024

Join us for a special milestone episode as guest host Larry Cassidy, a Vistage Master Chair, takes over the mic to interview Severin Sorensen, the usual host of the Arete Coach Podcast. Severin Sorensen is an executive coach, entrepreneur, and AI thought leader with a rich background in leadership and innovation. As the host of the Arete Coach Podcast, he delves into best practices and emerging trends in executive coaching. Severin has authored multiple books on artificial intelligence, including The AI Whisperer, providing practical frameworks for integrating AI into business strategies. His career reflects a commitment to lifelong learning, adaptability, and a passion for mentoring others. In this candid conversation, Severin shares his journey from aspiring baseball player to executive coach, entrepreneur, and AI thought leader. He opens up about pivotal career shifts, the importance of adaptability, and how AI is transforming coaching and leadership.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Severin’s early life and mentors shaped his approach to coaching and leadership
• Why marketing and AI are crucial to modern business success
• The importance of protecting company data in an AI-driven world
• How to stay resilient and agile during economic disruptions
• Why mentorship and service are at the core of a meaningful career
• What the future of AI and work means for business leaders and professionals

Memorable Quotes:

• “Money is only as good as the good that money can do.” – A guiding principle from Severin’s grandmother.
• “Humility is the cornerstone of great coaching—it’s not about you, it’s about them.”
• “Know yourself, set a North Star, and remain nimble—rigidity kills progress.”
• “AI will be the greatest disruptor in modern history, but those who embrace it will lead the way.”
• “Be a bridge builder—create pathways for others, not just yourself.”

Listen Now:

Whether you're a coach, leader, or entrepreneur, this episode is packed with valuable insights on personal growth, AI’s role in business, and the lasting impact of mentorship. Don’t miss this engaging and thought-provoking discussion!

The Arete Coach Podcast explores the art and science of executive coaching. You can find more about this podcast at aretecoach.io.

This episode was recorded on December 12, 2024.

Copyright © 2025 by Arete Coach™ LLC. All rights reserved.

In this episode of the Arete Coach Podcast, host Severin Sorensen sits down with Talmage Boston, a distinguished attorney, author, speaker, and presidential historian. With over four decades of experience in commercial litigation and a deep passion for history, Talmage shares invaluable insights from his latest book, How the Best Did It: Leadership Lessons from Our Top Presidents.

This episode, recorded on November 27, 2024, via Zoom, explores the leadership principles of America’s most impactful presidents and how their lessons can be applied to modern leadership and executive coaching.

Talmage Boston is a partner at Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley, and Norton, LLP, and has been honored as a Texas Super Lawyer since 2003. Beyond his legal career, he is an esteemed historian and author endorsed by Pulitzer Prize-winning historians like David McCullough and Jon Meacham. His previous books, including Cross-Examining History and Raising the Bar, provide thought-provoking analyses of leadership and historical narratives.

In How the Best Did It, Talmage identifies 24 leadership traits exhibited by eight U.S. presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and Ronald Reagan. Each chapter includes interactive questions to help readers apply these insights to their leadership journey.

Boston identifies three overarching traits that all eight presidents shared:

1. Persuasion – Ability to inspire and unify diverse groups.
2. Self-Awareness – Recognizing strengths and delegating weaknesses.
3. Big-Picture Focus – Aligning leadership efforts with the needs of the broad middle rather than extremes.

Boston stresses that history should be remembered accurately and used to inspire positive change. He encourages leaders to apply historical lessons to modern challenges and maintain a commitment to integrity and unity.

This episode offers a powerful blend of history and leadership, making it an essential listen for executive coaches, business leaders, and history enthusiasts alike.

The Arete Coach Podcast explores the art and science of executive coaching. You can find more about this podcast at aretecoach.io.

This episode was recorded on November 27, 2024.

Copyright © 2025 by Arete Coach™ LLC. All rights reserved.

In this special edition of the Arete Coach Podcast, Severin Sorensen explores the intersection of AI and music, reflecting on his personal journey with AI-assisted composition.

Hans Christian Andersen wrote, "Where words fail, music speaks." What's the music in you that needs voice and delivery? In this episode, Sorensen explores AI’s potential to revolutionize creativity, democratize music composition, and serve as a tool for personal expression and leadership storytelling. He encourages listeners to explore AI’s role in amplifying human emotion through sound.

Recorded one year after his first AI-music exploration in Episode 1166, this episode delves into the evolution of AI in music, the emotional power of sound, and how AI can serve as a creative partner.

Key Themes & Insights

• AI’s Role in Music Creation: Sorensen discusses three models of AI-assisted music:
• Done-for-You AI: Fully AI-generated music.
• Done-With-You AI: AI-assisted composition.
• Do-It-Yourself with AI: Human-driven music enhanced by AI tools.
• Emotional Resonance of Music: Music connects with people through memory, nostalgia, and deep emotions.
• The Neuroscience of Music: Referencing Dr. Daniel J. Levitin’s I Heard There Was a Secret Chord, Sorensen examines how music impacts the brain.
• AI’s "Playful" Creativity: AI performs better in a relaxed, exploratory state, leading to innovative compositions.
• Music as a Tool for Leadership & Legacy: Through storytelling and AI music experiments, Sorensen illustrates how music can immortalize moments and messages.

Musical Experiments & AI Innovations

• "Semper Fi Homecoming": A tribute to military service members returning home.
• "25 Years of Wisdom": A song created live using AI to honor Lance Descourouez's milestone as a Vistage Chair.
• "Toccata and Stratocaster": An AI-driven musical duel between J.S. Bach and Jimi Hendrix, demonstrating AI’s improvisational potential.
• "One in Us": A song inspired by Chip Webster’s book Unity in Service, emphasizing community and service.

Ultimately, the episode serves as a testament to music’s universal ability to connect, heal, and inspire, even when AI is involved in its creation. Sorensen challenges listeners to consider AI not as a mechanical entity but as a new kind of instrument—one that can be guided by human intent to shape profound and deeply personal artistic expressions. Ending with reflections on legacy, leadership, and the role of music in storytelling, he leaves the audience with a thought-provoking question: What unspoken words could take flight if given wings of artistry?

The Arete Coach Podcast seeks to explore the art and science of executive coaching. You can find out more about this podcast at aretecoach.io.

This episode was recorded on February 10, 2025.

Copyright © 2025 by Arete Coach™ LLC. All rights reserved.

All music in this episode was written by Severin Sorensen under the artist moniker "AIWhisperer" and is copyright © 2025 by Severin Sorensen. The seven songs played in this order within Arete Coach Podcast Episode 1208 – "Where Words Fail, Music Speaks" are: "Semper Fi Homecoming," "25 Years of Wisdom," "Toccata and Stratocaster," "Rise Up, Innovator!," "Like an Eagle, Rise and See," "Revolution in Harmony," and "One in Us." All songs were written by Severin Sorensen, except "One in Us," which was co-authored by Severin Sorensen and Chip Webster.

Welcome to the Arete Coach Podcast, hosted by Severin Sorensen. In this episode, recorded via Zoom on November 27, 2024, we are joined by Dr. Patrick Williams with an episode titled "Unlocking Coaching Mastery." Dr. Williams is a pioneer in the coaching profession, Master Certified Coach (MCC), and founder of the Institute for Life Coach Training (ILCT). Dr. Williams has been instrumental in shaping the coaching industry, serving on the International Coaching Federation (ICF) board and being honored as an inaugural member of the ICF Circle of Distinction.

Dr. Williams’ journey began in humanistic and transpersonal psychology, where he recognized a gap between traditional therapy and coaching. His passion for coaching, mentoring, and emotional literacy led him to establish a training school that has impacted thousands of professionals worldwide. Beyond coaching, his work focuses on metaphors in coaching, emotional literacy, and the power of silence in deep conversations.

The Power of Silence in Coaching

Dr. Williams emphasizes the importance of pausing and active listening. He advises coaches to resist the urge to fill silence and instead allow clients space to process. This approach leads to more profound client insights and transformation.

Emotional Literacy vs. Emotional Intelligence

While Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is widely recognized, Dr. Williams advocates for Emotional Literacy, which emphasizes not just understanding emotions but also expressing them in a meaningful way. His Emotional Literacy Academy provides tools for self-awareness, authenticity, and deeper communication.

The Role of Metaphors in Coaching

Metaphors help clients describe challenges and uncover solutions in ways that resonate deeply. Dr. Williams encourages coaches to listen for natural metaphors and explore their meanings rather than imposing interpretations.

Mentorship, Legacy, and Lifelong Learning

Dr. Williams discusses the importance of mentorship, continuous learning, and leaving a living legacy. He highlights the concept of "switch mentoring," where experienced professionals learn from younger individuals while imparting wisdom in return.

As an author, speaker, and mentor, Dr. Williams continues to inspire coaches and leaders through his commitment to lifelong learning, curiosity, and personal growth.

The Arete Coach Podcast explores the art and science of executive coaching. You can find more about this podcast at aretecoach.io.

This episode was recorded on November 27, 2024.

Copyright © 2024 by Arete Coach™ LLC. All rights reserved.