Philosophical coaching
Philosophical Coaching for Business Leaders
Better questions, clearer decisions and a life that fits your values. With Raf Adams, philosopher and executive coach, in Sydney and online.
Take your free Life AuditWhat is philosophical coaching?
Philosophical coaching is a one-to-one conversation that uses the tools of philosophy, such as careful questioning, examining assumptions and clarifying values, to help you think through real decisions in your work and life. It does not hand you ready-made answers. It helps you reach answers you can stand behind.
For business leaders, that usually means the questions underneath the strategy. What am I working for? What do I believe about success? Who am I without this role? If you want to see where your own questions sit, the free Life Audit is a good place to begin.
Philosophical coaching, counselling, therapy and executive coaching
Therapy
Works with mental health, healing and the past. If you are struggling with your mental health, a psychologist or therapist is the right first call.
Executive coaching
Focuses on performance, goals and leadership behaviour in your current role.
Philosophical coaching
Focuses on how you think: your assumptions, your values and the meaning you give to your work and life.
Philosophical coaching sits close to philosophical counselling, which I explain in philosophical counselling: what it is and how it helps. In my executive coaching, the two come together: practical leadership work grounded in philosophical inquiry.
Why leaders bring philosophy into coaching
Leaders are paid to decide. Many of the hardest decisions are not about data. They are about values, identity and what a good life looks like. Should I stay or go? What am I optimising for? What am I no longer willing to give up?
These are old questions, and philosophy has been working on them for a long time. I have given guest lectures at the University of Sydney, CEIBS and Hult, and I bring the same questions into every coaching conversation.
How a philosophical coaching session works
What changes when a leader is at peace
When a leader is at peace, decisions get simpler. Not always easier, but simpler, because they come from a clear sense of what matters.
A senior engineer and leader I coached, who worked at a car maker, wanted to do something more personal with her life. Philosophical coaching gave her room to look at what that meant for her.
She moved back to her hometown in Italy and started her own yoga business.
Not every philosophical coaching journey ends with a move. The point is that the choice becomes your own.
Working with Raf
Raf Adams is a philosopher, executive coach and the author of the Suited Monk books. He has 20+ years in global business, including 12 years in China and 6 in Spain, and 5,000+ hours of coaching leaders. He holds a coaching certificate from ICA (an ICF ACTP program). He coaches in English and Dutch, in person in Pyrmont, Sydney, and online.
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Philosophical coaching FAQ
Do I need to know any philosophy?
No. You bring the questions from your own life and work. I bring the philosophical tools.
Is philosophical coaching therapy?
No. It is a thinking partnership for people who want to examine their beliefs and choices. If you are dealing with a mental health issue, please see a psychologist or your doctor first.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on the question you bring. Some leaders want help with one decision, others want a longer process. The free Life Audit is a good way to see where to start.
Do you work online or in person?
Both. I meet clients in person in Pyrmont, Sydney, and online, in English or Dutch.
Do your free Life Audit today
Start with your own questions. 35 statements, about 3 minutes, and a free personal report on your Gap.
Do your free Life Audit today