In this episode of Lead Change, Dr. Mary Mulcahey interviews Clare Coonan, founder and president of Adjacent Consulting and an experienced executive coach who has spent over 20 years helping leaders in healthcare and academic medicine navigate transformation. Clare shares her unconventional journey from teaching high school biology and directing nonprofits to becoming a sought-after coach and facilitator. She explains her approach to coaching, emphasizing clarity, accountability, and authenticity, and discusses the importance of breaking free from self-limiting beliefs.

Clare offers practical insights on fostering healthy team dynamics, using well-crafted questions to unlock creativity, and facilitating strategic planning sessions that harness collective wisdom. She also reflects on lessons learned from working with diverse leaders, the role of creativity in leadership growth, and how diversity of thought leads to innovation. Throughout the conversation, Clare’s passion for helping individuals and teams thrive is evident, inspiring listeners to embrace coaching as a tool for professional and personal development.

🔑 Key Takeaways

Path to Coaching: Clare’s career evolved from teaching and nonprofit leadership to executive coaching, shaped by pivotal setbacks and opportunities.
Four Coaching Pillars:

1. Clarify personal and professional goals.
2. Identify skills, activities, and opportunities to achieve those goals.
3. Provide accountability and ongoing evaluation.
4. Offer on-demand consulting support for emerging challenges.

Strategic Planning Wisdom: Effective plans come from diverse ideas colliding, a structured process, and disciplined follow-through—implementation is 80% of the work.
Leadership Lessons: Leaders must recognize their “default style” (gas pedal vs. brake) and adapt to others’ approaches.
Breaking Self-Limitations: Clare encourages leaders, especially women, to pursue opportunities without self-disqualifying based on incomplete qualifications.
Superpowers: Clare is known for her ability to distill clarity and craft powerful, well-worded questions that shift conversations.
Books to Explore: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, Crucial Conversations, Crucial Accountability, Radical Candor.
Diversity Drives Innovation: True innovation stems from diverse experiences, perspectives, and cognitive styles.