the Executives · A Dialogue with Majid

Dr. Elizabeth Coffey, Founder of Spark Leadership Ltd.

With Dr. Elizabeth Coffey

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About this episode

In this episode of “The Executives,” Dr. Elizabeth Coffey, founder of Spark Leadership and a renowned advisor to top-tier executives, discusses “Leadership Excellence: Navigating CEO Succession and Strategic Influencing.” Dr. Coffey shares her journey into executive coaching and outlines the multifaceted role of a CEO. She highlights key milestones in her career that have shaped her approach to leadership development.

The conversation then delves into the critical importance of CEO succession planning for an organization’s sustained success, identifying essential qualities and skills to look for in potential successors. Dr. Coffey further explores how strategic influencing contributes to organizational success and details crucial steps for a seamless CEO transition, illustrating the pitfalls with an example of a succession gone wrong.

She provides insights into identifying leaders with strong influencing abilities, offers practical strategies for professionals and C-level executives to build effective stakeholder relationships, and advises on maintaining CEO influence in a dynamic business landscape.

The episode concludes with valuable guidance for current and future executives. Dr. Elizabeth Coffey is a global consultant, speaker, and bestselling author, known for her work with FTSE 100 and Global 500 companies. She has authored several notable books on leadership and has received numerous awards for her contributions to the field.

Episode chapters

00:18 Elizabeth’s Introduction: How did she start working as an executive coach?
07:02 Topic Introduction
07:12 What is the role of a CEO?
10:17 Significant milestones or achievements in Elizabeth’s career have shaped her leadership development approach?
15:24 What is CEO succession?
17:24 Why is succession planning crucial for the long-term success of an organization?
21:58 Key qualities and skills you should look for in potential CEO successors
27:21 How does strategic influencing impact organizational success?
29:36 Critical steps in ensuring a smooth transition during CEO succession
36:00 Example of CEO succession gone wrong
40:41 What should organizations look for when identifying leaders with strong influencing abilities?
43:42 An example of micromanagement
48:12 Practical strategies can professionals and C-level executives use to influence and build relations with stakeholders effectively
52:20 How can a CEO maintain their influence in a rapidly changing business environment?
57:38 Advice for the executives of today and the future
59:53 Closing Remark from Elizabeth

About the guest

Dr. Elizabeth Coffey

Founder of Spark Leadership Ltd

Dr. Elizabeth Coffey is a globally recognized consultant, speaker, and bestselling author, with an impressive career dedicated to developing CEOs, CEO successors, and board executives across FTSE 100 and Global 500 companies. Dr. Coffey is the founder of Spark Leadership and has been at the forefront of leadership development, strategic influencing, and large-scale transformation. She has authored notable works such as 10 Things That Keep CEOs Awake – and How to Put Them to Bed, The End of Tolerance?, and The Changing Culture of Leadership – Women Leaders’ Voices. Her contributions to leadership have earned her numerous accolades, including the prestigious European Woman of Achievement Award, Mentor of the Year, and Women Super Achiever by Femina.

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