Executive Coaching for the People Who Keep Organizations Running
Practical, direct coaching with Pete Van Baalen. Online anywhere, and in person in Fort Wayne.
I offer executive coaching to operations leaders stepping into bigger roles, and to the dependable people who hold teams together. My coaching is practical and direct, and it starts with your real situation.
Who I coach
Operations leaders. You run things well, and now you are being considered for a bigger scope or you just stepped into one. Coaching helps you lead at that level without losing what made you effective. Read more about executive coaching for operations leaders.
The people who hold teams together. You are the dependable person who keeps work moving and connects the pieces, the kind of person some call a glue employee. You want your work recognized and used at a higher level. Read more about coaching for glue employees.
Why work with me
I have been coaching people my entire career. I have led organizations from a handful of people to more than 200, served as a trusted advisor to senior executives, and run multi-million dollar businesses. I have worked as part of an organization and as the executive running it, so I know both sides of the table.
I hold the PMP certification from the Project Management Institute, and I have mentored people through career changes, work and life balance, and a start-up that grew from business concept to more than $1 million in signed contracts. Learn more about me.
How executive coaching works
We meet for an hour, every other week, in person or on video. We discover the goal, build a plan, and review the results. You work weekly on the opportunities that move us toward your big goals. Our first conversation is about getting to know you, because this is about building a relationship.
Coaching is more than advice. I bring 30 years of experience and will share what I have seen when it helps, but the decisions stay yours. What you tell me stays between us, unless the law requires otherwise or someone is at risk of serious harm. See my page on executive coaching in Fort Wayne and online for more detail.
What we might work on in executive coaching
Every client brings a different goal, and we choose two or three big ones together. Here is the kind of work I see most often:
- Stepping into a bigger role or a wider scope, and leading at that level.
- Sorting a long list of steps into clear priorities, from first idea to results.
- Balancing personal and work life so you can succeed at both.
- Getting your work recognized, rewarded and used at a higher level.
The process is the same whether we meet in person in Fort Wayne or on video from anywhere. You choose what fits your schedule, and we build the rhythm from there.
What people say
In just three short years, he has shared with me his wealth of knowledge, advice, and mentorship.
Tory Lopez, Indianapolis, IN
Read more on the testimonials page.
From the blog
I have been writing about leadership, marketing and operations on this site for 15 years. Start with The Hidden Power of Glue Players, Tough And Competent Leadership To Help Solve Problems, or Leadership Lessons from WD-40, or browse the full blog.
Start with a conversation
The first step is a conversation. We talk about where you are, what you want to change, and whether I am the right coach for you. I am building my coaching practice, so I am open to flexible arrangements with my first clients. Just ask.