www.insightssuccessmagazine.com
Editorial
-AlayaBrown
Voices of Transformation
Leadership is no longer defined solely by title, tenure, or traditional achievements. In 2025, it is shaped by emotional intelligence, adaptability, clarity of vision, and the ability to inspire meaningful change As the business world faces rapid transformation driven by digital disruption, shifting workforce expectations, and global uncertainty the demand for impactful leadershiphasneverbeengreater.Andstandingattheintersectionofthis evolutionareexecutivecoaches.
The Most Impactful Executive Coaches Redefining Leadership in 2025 celebratesthoseindividualswhoarenotjustcoachingforperformance, but guiding transformative journeys—helping today’s leaders become tomorrow’schangemakers.Thesecoachesgobeyondofferingstrategies and frameworks.They challenge limiting beliefs, strengthen resilience, fosterself-awareness,andhelpleadersaligntheiractionswithpurpose.
What makes these coaches truly impactful is their ability to unlock hidden potential. They serve as trusted partners, sounding boards, and catalysts for change.Their work is often invisible to the outside world, yet deeply felt within the leaders and organizations they touch. From Fortune500executivestomission-drivenentrepreneurs,theinfluenceof thesecoachesripplesacrossindustriesandborders.
In curating this list, we considered more than credentials or client lists. We focused on influence—the kind that sparks innovation, reshapes cultures,andleavesalegacyofempoweredleadership.Thesecoachesare redefiningwhatsuccesslookslikebycenteringhumanity,integrity,and consciousleadershipatthecoreoftheirwork.
Theirapproachesareasdiverseastheleaderstheyserve:somefocuson mindset and emotional mastery, others specialize in strategic clarity or inclusive leadership Yet, they all share one thing in common a profoundcommitmenttogrowth,notjustasagoal,butasawayofbeing.
Thisfeatureisatributetothosewhoarequietlyandpowerfullyshaping the future of leadership. As we spotlight these exceptional executive coaches, we invite you to explore the stories, philosophies, and impact behindthenames—andperhapsdiscovernewperspectivesonyourown leadershipjourney.
Leading with Purpose and Soul
Dr. Johnny Parker
ARTICLES
Business Coaching for Burnout Recovery: Reclaiming Focus and Energy
Turning Managers into Mentors: Coaching Cultures That Drive Results
Art
Business
Business
Digital
Co-designer
Marketing
Dr. Johnny Parker Founder and CEO Execu veCoach
Mark Nicholson Founder & Execu ve Coach
Nicole e Sowa Founder & Business Strategist
Brief Featuring NextLevel Business Strategy nextlevel-strategies.com
Norma Hollis Global Leadership Strategist & Empowerment Advocate
Timothy Cheadle Founder & Life Coach
PWT Global | Powerful Women Today | PWT Wellness Group | PWT Success Connect The Parker Group LLC theparkergroup.com
With a powerful blend of psychology, leadership insight, and storytelling, Dr. Parker empowers C-suite leaders, teams, and organiza ons to script and live out their best stories—both professionally and personally Company
Lazarus Coaching & Consul ng LLC lazcoaching.com
Masters in Modera on mastersin modera on.com
With a focus on transforma onal leadership, personal development, and organiza onal growth, Mark brings deep insight, empathy, and strategic clarity to his coaching and consul ng prac ce.
Known for her strategic acumen and results-driven approach, Nicole e is a trusted partner in driving businesses forward—confidently and compe vely
As a key figure behind Powerful Women Today, PWT Wellness Group, and PWT Success Connect, Norma champions women's leadership, wellness, and entrepreneurial success on a global scale.
Timothy’s philosophy is grounded in the belief that progress begins with self-awareness and is sustained by inten onal ac on.
Dr. Johnny Parker
Executive Coach CEO and Founder
The Parker Group
TheMostImpactfulExecutiveCoachesRedefiningLeadershipin2025
Leadershipisoftenseenasagameofoutward
success—climbingladders,achievingmilestones, andgainingrecognition.WhenyoumeetDr. JohnnyParker,it’sclearhe’snotyourtypicalleadership coach.Whilemanychasesuccessbyfocusingsolelyonthe external—publicaccolades,titles,orthenextbigwin—Dr Parkerbelievestrueleadershipstartsfromwithin.His approachissimplebutpowerful:toleadothers,youmust firstunderstandandnurtureyourself.
Asarenownedexecutivecoach,Dr.Parkerhashelped countlessleaderstransformtheirlivesbyrevisitingthe storiesthey’vebeentellingthemselves—andrewritingthem withpurpose,clarity,andauthenticity.Hissignature Frontstage/Backstageframeworkismorethanjustatoolfor professionalgrowth;it’saguidetoreclaimingone’s personalnarrative,healingfrompaststruggles,and steppingintoafuturethatreflectsbothinnerpeaceand externalimpact.
Dr.Parker’sapproachtoleadershipisdeeplypersonal.Itis shapedbydecadesofexperienceandhistransformative journey.Earlyinhiscareer,whileachievingvisiblesuccess andimpactingcountlesslivesonwhathecallshis“front stage,”Dr.Parkerquietlybattledanxiety,panicattacks,and depression.Itwasadefiningmomentthattaughthima profoundtruth:‘Enduring public impact begins with personal well-being.’Behindthescenes—herealizedhe neededemotional,spiritual,andmentalnourishmentin ordertoleadwithauthenticityandresilience.
Beforesteppingintoexecutivecoaching,Dr.Parkerbegan asamarriageandfamilycounselor,workingwith individualsandprofessionalsseekingdeeperconnection, purposeandclarity.Hisworknaturallyexpandedintothe businessworld,wherehefacilitatedsessionsonteam buildingandworkplacewellness.Ultimately,thispathled toadoctorate,arminghimwiththetoolstouniteclinical depthwithexecutivedirection.
Today,asaFounder,CEO,andtrustedcoachtohighlevelleadersacrossindustries,Dr.Parkerthriveswithan ideologythatreflects,‘The greatest gift a leader can offer others is a healthy version of themselves.’Hisholistic approachintegratesemotional,relational,physical,and spiritualhealth—because,asheoftensays, “It takes a healthy me to create a strong we.”
InDr.Parker’sopinion,“What separates great leaders from good ones is ownership.”Greatleadersarecapableof inspiringothers,andtheyarewillingtotakefull
Dr. Parker’s mission is to help people write better stories stories that start backstage, rooted in soul health and self-awareness.
responsibilityfortheirshortcomingsandinnergrowth.It’s thisdepthofownershipthatfuelssustainableimpactand transformation.
Dr.Parker’ssignature Frontstage/Backstage frameworkhas becomeapowerfultoolforhelpingleadersrewritetheir personalandprofessionalnarratives.Inaworldthatoften definessuccessbyexternalmetrics,hisframeworkinvites leaderstoredefinesuccessontheirterms—throughjoy, loveandvulnerability.Hebelievesthateveryleader’slifeis tellingastory;hismissionistohelpthemliveoneworth reading.
JourneytoEmotionallyIntelligentLeadership
Dr.Parker,anexecutivecoachandrelationshiparchitect, hasdedicatedover25yearstoassistingindividuals, includingCEOS,professionalathletes,andhigh-impact leaders,inachievingauthenticsuccessbyviewingtheir livesasnarratives.Dr.Parkeremphasizesthecriticalroleof emotionalintelligence(EI)inleadership.Hereferences researchindicatingthatEIcanaccountfornearly90%of leadershipsuccess.Thisunderscorestheimportanceofselfawareness,empathy,andemotionalregulationineffective leadership.
Inhisbook Frontstage/Backstage : External Success
Requires Internal Health,Dr.Parkerintroducesa frameworkthatencouragesindividualstoreflectontheir personalandprofessionalnarratives.Byengaginginthese questions,individualscanaligntheirexternalachievements
withinternalwell-being,fosteringabalancedandpurposedrivenlife.
Thisprocessrequiresexploringaseriesoffoundational questions:WhoamI?WhatdoIwant?WhydoIwantit? WhoamIbecoming?AndhowdoIwantothersto experienceme?Throughthisreflectiveanalysis,individuals begintoaligntheirinternalidentitywiththeirexternal impact.Dr.Parkerhighlightstheimportanceof vulnerabilityandself-careinleadership.Thisholistic approachunderscoresthattrueleadershipeffectiveness stemsfromafoundationofspiritualemotionaland relationalhealth.
Dr. Parker emphasizes the critical role of emotional intelligence (EI) in leadership.
StillnessBeforeStrategy
Dr. Parker also emphasizes the profound leadership lessons learned not just in boardrooms, but within the walls of one’s home.
th
WhenDr.Parkerwasapproachinghis40 birthday,itwasa pivotalmomentinhislife.Ontheoutside,hisfrontstage wasthriving—heachievedagreatdealofsuccess.But behindthescenes,thereweredeeperissuesquietlybuilding up.Feelingtheweightofitall,hedecidedtoretreattothe ocean.Hespentsometimejournalingbythewater, listeningtoinspirationalmusic,praying,andmeditating.It wasinthatmomentofstillnessthathecreatedanexercise henowcalls“TheBourneIdentity,”whichheshareswith allhisclients.Thispersonalritualofreflectionrevealed piercingtruthsandinspiredaturningpointthatwould shapehiscoachingphilosophy
Asaformeradjunctprofessorofpositivepsychologyat JohnsHopkinsandanexecutivecoach,Dr.Parkerbegan guidingothersthroughsimilarjourneys.Heemphasizes leveragingthepowerof“turningthepage”onone's narrative,nottodenythepast,buttorewritethefuturewith
Dr. Parker believes the future of leadership must be rooted in a healthy, soulful living that ows from backstage to the front stage.
ownershipandclarity.Heteachesthatsuccessisn’tjust aboutachievementsbutaboutaligninginternalwell-being withexternalimpact.
Rejectingtheconventionalnotionofwork-lifebalance,Dr Parkerembracedtheideaoflife-workrhythm—a philosophyrootedinnature’scadenceandsupportedby neuroscience.Hetaughtthatjustasthesunrisesandsetsin rhythm,sotoomustleadersfindtheirownpace.Practices likegratitudejournaling,momentsofstillness,and intentionalreflectionbecamevitalpartsofhismethodology Heexplainsthattheseritualsstimulatethebrain,increase productivity,andfosteremotionalclarity
Dr.Parker’sjourney—frominnerdisconnectiontosoulful alignment—becamethefoundationforhismessage:true leadershipbeginsnotwithstrategy,butwithstillness.Ina worldobsessedwiththegrind,heinvitesleaderstoslow down,turnthepage,andwriteabetterstory
ThrivingfromtheBackstagetoFrontStage
Whenaskedwhatsinglemindsetshiftcouldhavethe greatestimpactonsomeone’sleadershipjourney,Dr.Parker respondedwithouthesitation,heexpressed,“Be intentional about nurturing your soul. If he could offer his younger self one piece of leadership advice, it would be to slow down—starting each day in quiet meditation, breathing exercises, and reflective journaling.”Heencouragesleaders towritedownwhatmakestheirheartscomealive,what theybelieve,andwhatthey’rediscoveringaboutlife, leadership,andthemselves.
Dr.Parkeralsoemphasizestheprofoundleadershiplessons learnednotjustinboardrooms,butwithinthewallsofone’s home.Beingahusbandandafathertothreesons,he’s foundthattrust,empathy,compassion,andinspiration—the samequalitiesessentialinmarriageandparenting—are directlytransferabletoleadership.Theseclose,everyday relationshipshavebeenhismostvaluableteachers.
Lookingahead,Dr.Parkerenvisionsapowerfullegacy throughtheParkerGroup.He'sthrilledtohavehiswife (Lezlyn)of35yearsjoinhimasacoach,aswellashissons inthefamilymission.Onehasdevelopedanassessmenton leadershiprhythmandwellness,whileanotherisstepping intohisownasaspeakeronleadership.Theircontributions reflectagenerationalexpansionofpurpose.
Acornerstoneoftheirupcominginitiativesisthe“Triple Thrive”membershipexperience,whichemphasizesinner excellence,relationalwealth,andprofessionalmastery Alongsidethis,theParkerGroupispreparingtolaunchthe Frontstage/Backstage Podcast,formneworganizational partnerships,andreleaseanewbookco-authoredbyDr Parkerandhiswifetitled‘Be a Fragrance, Not an Odor.’ Rootedinneuroscienceandfaith,thiswork,exploreshow attitudescaneitherupliftorweighdowntheenvironments weliveandworkin.
Ultimately,Dr.Parker’smissionistohelppeoplewrite betterstories—storiesthatstartbackstage,rootedinsoul healthandself-awareness.Oneofthesimpleyetprofound exercisesheoffersinvolvesdrawingatree.Afteraquick sketch,participantsareaskediftheyincludedroots.Many don’t.Thisleadstoapivotalquestion:howcanthetree producefruitwithoutarootsystem?
Hisworkisacalltonurturethoseunseenroots.Asheoften remindsothers,echoingthewordsofJesus,“Whatdoesit profitapersontogainthewholeworldandlosetheirsoul?” Dr.Parkerbelievesthefutureofleadershipmustberooted inahealthy,soulfullivingthatflowsfrombackstagetothe frontstage.
Tothoselookingtogrowasleadersandcoaches,Dr.Parker encouragesexploringstructuredtrainingprograms,visiting frontstagebackstage.comfortheirleadershipassessment, andexploringtheresourcesandbooksavailableon johnnyparker.com.Hislatestbook, Frontstage Backstage: External Success, Internal Health,providesactionabletools andinsightsforsustainableleadershiprootedinpersonal growth.
Business Coaching for Burnout Recovery
Reclaiming Focus and Energy
Burnouthasemergedasthemostimportant
workplaceissueofthecontemporarytime period—particularlyforentrepreneurs,business leaders,andhigh-performingprofessionals.While corporationsstriveforrelentlessgrowth,relentless innovation,anddigitalspeed,professionalsarebecoming physicallydepleted,emotionallydrained,andmentally disengaged.
Morealarmingisthatburnouttypicallyappearsintheform ofzealorambitionuntilithitsthepointofbreakdown.The priceisn'thuman—it'seconomic.Loweredproductivity, higherturnover,poordecisions,andlowercreativityareall clearcutresultsofunaddressedburnout.
Inturn,anewfrontierofleadershipassistancehasarisen: corporatecoachingspecificallydesignedtoassistinthe recoveryfromburnout.Thisisn'tmerelystress management—thisisrevivingclearthinking,rebooting energy,andregainingsense.Essentially,coachingoffersa systematicyetcompassionateprocessforleaderstoexit survivalmodeandstepintoarealmofsustainable performance. www.insightssuccessmagazine.com
KnowingtheAnatomyofBurnout
Burnoutisnotjustcausedbyovertimeorhurrieddeadlines. Burnoutiscausedbyextendedworkplacestressthathasnot beenappropriatelycontrolled.PertheWorldHealth Organization,burnouthasthreecomponents:emotional exhaustion,cynicismordepersonalization,anddiminished professionaleffectiveness.
Forexecutives,burnoutcomesasdecisionfatigue,brevity, disconnectionfromtheirteams,andbeingperpetually"on" yetneverpresent.Itaffectsnotonlytheirwellbeingbutalso theircapacitytoleadvision,empathy,andstrategic acumen.
Burnoutbusinesscoachinggetstotherootoftheissues ratherthanthesymptoms.Burnoutbusinesscoaching assistsleadersinreframingtheirthinking,setting boundaries,prioritizingwell,andreengagingwiththeir greatestdrivers.
TheFunctionofCoachinginOvercomingBurnout
Unliketherapy,whereemphasisisplacedoncuring previouspainorsickness,businesscoachingemphasizes solution-seekingthatisgoal-focusedanddirectedtowards thefuture,goalsetting,andenhancedperformance.If properlyintegrated,coachingisanabsoluteeffective methodofburnoutrecovery,whereinpeoplelearnhowto regainresiliencewithoutsacrificingbusinessgoals.
Self-awarenessiswherecoachingstarts.Leadershaveno ideahowfarburnouthasreachedthemuntiltheyare allowedtostepbackandobserveit.Deepquestions, listening,andvaluesdiscoveryassistcoachesinleading clientstorecognizethementalhabits,assumptions,and expectationsthatfuelburnout.
Andthenfromthere,intentionalchangeisthefocus.This maybeaquestionofresettingpriorities,reengineering time,orresettingwhatwinninglookslike.Most importantly,itisaboutcreatingamodelforongoinghigh performancethatdoesnotsacrificeone'swell-beingorjoy
ReclaimingFocusinaWorldofDistractions
Oneofthefundamentalvictimsofburnoutisattention.In theeraofdigitalsaturation,perpetualnotifications,and incessantcontextswitching,leadersstruggletothink profoundly,prioritizemeaningfully,orfocuswithout distraction.Businesscoachinggivesonethetoolsand techniquesformasteringone'sattention.
Coachesassistclientsinrecognizingenergyleaksand mentalchatter Theabilitytoworkinthemidstof distractions,todelegate,ortobemindfulareallwaysof establishingaworkrhythmthatenablesdeepfocusand flow.
Thisnewconcentrationresultsinimproveddecisionmaking,moreeffectiveleadership,andultimately—more fulfillment.
RebuildingEnergy:Physically,Mentally,and Emotionally
Energyisthecurrencyofleadership.Whenitisgone,even themoststrategic-thinkingmindsbecomereactive, indecisive,ordisengaged.Businesscoachingassists
leadersinfindingoutwhatsourcesofenergyreplenishtheir reservoirsandwhatdrainsthem.
Thiscaninvolveestablishingmoredistinctboundaries betweenworkandpersonallife,establishinghealthier habitsthatreinforcethem,orbreakingthroughselfdefeatingbeliefsthatassociateself-healingwithweakness. Coachestendtocollaboratewithclientstoco-designcertain ritualsthathelpfosterrenewal—whetheritisinnature time,creativeexpression,structuredbreaks,orreflection practices.
Oneparticularlyfascinatingthingaboutcoachingishelping professionalstograntthemselvesrestandrecoverywithout guilt—somethingsonecessaryyetsoprevalentlackingin high-stresssettings.
CoachingCulture:AnAntidotetoBurnoutfor Organizations
One-to-onecoachingisstrongbuthasagreaterimpact whenorganizationshaveacoachingculture.Organizations thatbetterintegratecoachingintoleadershipdevelopment, teamperformance,andperformancemanagementarebetter abletorecognizeburnoutearlyandfacilitaterecovery.
Theseculturesnormalizevulnerability,openup communication,andequalizewellbeingwithperformance. Managerstrainedincoachingarethenabletoassist
employeesmoreonawhole-personlevel,buildingan employee-centricworkculturewhereemployeesflourish, notjustsurvive.
Investingincoachingateverylevelconveysaclearand powerfulmessage:peopleareourgreatestasset—andtheir wellbeingcounts.
Conclusion:BurnoutRecoveryIsaLeadership Imperative
Burnoutisnotasignofpersonalweakness—it'sfrequently aresultofmisalignedsystems,unrealisticexpectations,and abandonmentofself.Butwithproperintervention,healing isnotonlypossible—it'sarebirth.Businesscoachingisthe answer.Itleadsleaderstoreclaimwhatburnoutstealsfrom them:clarity,energy,presence,andpurpose.Andinso doing,itdoesn'tsimplyreviveindividuals—itrenews companies.
Future-proofedworkplacesaren'tjustaboutproductivity; they'reabouthumansustainability Andbusinesscoaching isn'taboutmerelyhavingleaderssatisfythatneed—it's aboutenablingthemtoleadbyexample.
CO A CHING DRIVE RESUL TS
Turning Managers into Mentors
Coaching Cultures That Drive Results
Intoday'sworkplace,theolddefinitionofa"manager"is changingfast.Today'sorganizationsarenolongersatisfiedwith managerswhoonlyassigntasks,checkonperformance,and dictatewhattodo.Instead,they'relookingforleaderswhocan motivate,grow,andenergizetheiremployees.Whatdrivesthis changeisapowerfulmovement:transformingmanagersinto mentors.Andintheprocess,they'rebuildingcoachingculturesthat notonlydriveemployeeengagementbutalsoproducequantifiable businessoutcomes.
Thistransformationisn'taboutleadershipstyle—necessarily—it'sa businessnecessity Top-performingcoachingculturesalwaysresult inhighest-performingcompaniesperformingbetterthanothers whenitcomestoproductivity,retentionoftalent,andinnovation. Mentorshipisrapidlyemergingasthedriveroforganizational growth.
ThePowerofCoachingCulture
Acoachingcultureisoneinwhichongoingdevelopment,feedback, andguidancearewovenintoeverydayconversations—savedneither forperiodicperformanceappraisalsnorforyearlytrainingsessions. Managershereactuallylisten,askquestions,andnudgepeople towardtheirownsolutions.Theyrecognizepotentialwithinothers beforeothersrecognizepotentialwithinthemselves.
Thisishowtocreatetrust,autonomy,andpsychological safety—settingsinwhichhumansthrive.Peoplewhofeel valuedandcaredforaremorelikelytoperform,morelikely tolearn,andmorelikelytoowntheirgrowth.Thesearenot softrewards;theyproducemoreresilientteams,improved productivity,andsustainablecompetitiveadvantage.
WhyManagersMustEvolve
Mostbusinessesaredeceivedintohiringtheirtop performersformanagementroleswithoutequippingthem tomanage.Sothesenewmanagersaregoingtodothebest thingtheyknow:eithermicromanagingothersordoit themselves.Thiscrushesteamgrowth—andburnoutfor bothteamandmanager
Today'sbestleadersrecognizethattheirroleisnottobethe individualwhoknows,buttoask.Theyaregrowth developers,notmanagementimplementers.Thisshiftof thinkingtakestraining,practice,andinvestmentonthe organization'spart—butdonecorrectly,thedifferenceis revolutionary
BuildingtheConditionsforMentoring
Itisnotanaccidentthatmanagersaretransformedinto mentors.Ittakesahugeefforttoinfusethepracticeof
coachingintoleadershipdevelopmentprograms, performancerequirements,andcorporatecultures.
Firmsneedtospendmoneyonlearningbasiccoaching skills—listening,empathy,feedback,andgoal-setting—and carvingoutspaceandtimeformanagerstopracticethem. Maybeasvaluableisreshapingthedefinitionof"success" foramanager.Insteadofbeingevaluatedbyoutputor productivityonly,firmsneedtomeasurehowwell managersdeveloptalent,developpotential,anddevelop goodteamcultures.
Seniorleadersareattheheartofthischange.Asexecutives modelcoachingbehaviorsthemselves,theysendaclear messagethatmentoringisn'tanoption—it'sthestandard.
DrivingBusinessResultsThroughCoaching
Coachingculturesbenefitmorethanjust individuals—coachingdrivesbusinessresultsatscale. Employeesincoachingculturesaremorelikelytostaywith theorganization,pursueleadershippositions,andlead strategicinitiatives.
Inaddition,coachingunleashesthetypeofinnovationand responsivenessthatbusinessesrequiretoday Whenworkers
areencouragedtoquestion,think,andown,they're transformedfromtaskprocessorstochangemakers, contributors,andproblemsolvers.
Forcompaniesfacingdigitaltransformation,workforce disruptions,orcompetitiveforces,thistypeofengagement ispriceless.Ittransformsteamsintohigh-performing, responsive,resourceful,anddevelopment-readyteams.
ScalingMentorshipinaHybridWorld
Asworkbecomeshybridanddecentralized,thereiseven greaternecessityforpurposefulcoaching.Physicaldistance tendstodiluteculture,reducecommunication,andplace teammembersatarm'slength—unlessmanagersdoa deliberatejobofbridgingthegaps.
Coachingoffersastructuretopreservehumantouchwhen face-to-facecontactisminimal.Virtualone-on-one,growth check-ins,andcasualfeedbackloopsaretheadhesivethat bindsteamstogetherandkeepsthemengaged.
Technologyhasitsusestoo.Learningplatforms, collaborationsoftware,andAI-basedanalyticsenable managerstomonitordevelopmentobjectives,tailorsupport, andmobilizeengagementatscale.Technologycannever
replacethestrengthofactualhumanmentoring—itmust alwayssitinthemiddle.
Conclusion:TheFutureBelongstoCoachingLeaders
Companiesthatneedtosucceedinthefutureofworkneed tobreakfreefromconventionalmanagementmodels.They needtobuildleaderswhomentor,motivate,andliftothers up.Makingmanagersintomentorsisn'tatalentmove—it's agrowthmove.
Byputtingcoachingintotheculture,companiescantapinto theirfullhumanpotentialanddevelopaclimateinwhich talentisn'tjustmanagedbutfullydeveloped.Andthatnext generationofleaderswillhavethebestpossiblequestionto ask:"HowcanIhelpyougrow?"
Andwhenthatbecomesstandardpractice,resultswill follow—naturallyandforever
www.x.com/insightssuccess
