The Third Answer: Advisory Insights and the Future of Leadership

“What clients pay for ultimately is answers they didn’t expect.” The essence of advisory work involves providing perspectives leaders often struggle to find on their own. In our latest interview, Willem Genece joins Bill Glenn to discuss the role of advisory in shaping executive leadership. The conversation explores how effective coaching helps uncover blind spots, build trust, and prepare leaders for the future.

This discussion covers:

• The Power of the Third Answer: Advisors bring an external perspective leaders and stakeholders often miss. Willem explains how the “third answer” challenges assumptions and helps executives see what was previously hidden.

• The Mistake of the term "Soft Skills": “There’s nothing soft about the skills we help executives with. They’re hard.” Willem explains why influence, trust, and communication are the true differentiators for leaders, and why executives invest in coaching to strengthen them.

• Trust and Alignment in Leadership Teams: “It is fascinating to me how many leaders overlook trust as a key ingredient in alignment.” Willem shares how to intentionally create trust and psychological safety so leadership teams can work together more effectively.

• The Evolving Role of CHROs: Very capable CHROs can influence CEOs and boards directly, but their teams often go underinvested. Willem discusses why HR leaders must build courageous, aligned teams to match their expanded role in strategy.

Watch the full interview to discover how experienced advisors reveal blind spots, harness collaborative conflict, and equip leaders with skills that can transform their impact.