Welcome to the Arete Coach Podcast, hosted by Severin Sorensen. In this episode, recorded via Zoom on April 27, 2020, we are honored to have Richard Bosworth, founder and CEO of What If Forums, an executive coaching practice established in 1967 in London. Richard was a former TEC Vistage UK chair known for his candid and insightful coaching style, earning him the affectionate title of "Chief Tormentor" among his clients.

In an engaging conversation titled "The Chief Tormentor as CEO Coach," Richard Bosworth shares his inspiring journey from agricultural scientist to renowned business turnaround marketer and global executive coach. His career began in marketing and corporate life, where he led transformative programs before discovering a passion for coaching. Over the past several decades, Richard dedicated himself to challenging the status quo and helping leaders see things through fresh eyes. Recognized globally, Richard pioneered telecoaching and was an early adopter of digital coaching methods. This episode delves into Richard's profound commitment to creating awesomely successful leaders and his unique approach to ideation facilitation, perfectly aligning with the Arete Coach Podcast's exploration of excellence in executive coaching.

Richard's coaching approach: He describes himself as an "unconventional coach" who challenges the status quo. He focuses on helping leaders look at things through fresh eyes and try new approaches. His coaching style earned him the nickname "Chief Tormentor" among clients.

Evolution of his career: Richard shares his journey from agricultural scientist to marketing expert, then to business turnaround specialist, and finally to executive coach. He was an early adopter of telecoaching in the 1990s, working with clients across Africa.

Coaching tools and techniques: Richard discusses his key coaching tools, including the "aspiration guide" (be, do, have chart), listening to one's gut, and the power of silence. He emphasizes the importance of asking thought-provoking questions.

Most powerful question: Richard reveals that his most impactful question is "What does your family think?" This often leads to deep insights about work-life balance and personal priorities.

Leadership in changing times: Richard observes that the pandemic has accelerated changes in how people work and how leaders need to adapt. He emphasizes that leaders now need to engage and consult their teams rather than just lead in the traditional sense.

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 interview was conducted on April 27, 2020, via Zoom Video. Copyright © 2024 by Arete Coach™ LLC. All rights reserved.