Leadership Glossary
Comprehensive definitions of executive coaching, leadership development, and professional assessment terminology. From Cleveland-based ICF-credentialed coach Steve Weiss, serving leaders throughout Northeast Ohio and nationwide.
What is executive coaching terminology?
Executive coaching terminology includes terms like executive presence (qualities that inspire and influence others), emotional intelligence (the ability to manage your own emotions and understand others'), ICF certification (the gold standard credential from the International Coaching Federation), and assessments like Hogan (personality-based leadership tools) and CliftonStrengths (talent theme identification). Understanding these terms helps leaders communicate effectively with coaches and maximize their development.
3
360-Degree Feedback
A performance appraisal method that gathers feedback about an individual from multiple sources: supervisors, peers, direct reports, and sometimes clients. Provides a comprehensive view of leadership effectiveness from all angles.
A
ACC (Associate Certified Coach)
An entry-level credential from the International Coaching Federation requiring at least 100 hours of coach-specific training and 100+ hours of coaching experience. Demonstrates foundational coaching competency.
Active Listening
A communication technique used extensively in coaching that involves fully concentrating on, understanding, and responding thoughtfully to what another person is saying. Goes beyond hearing to demonstrate genuine engagement.
C
CliftonStrengths
An assessment tool (formerly StrengthsFinder) developed by Gallup that identifies an individual's top talent themes from 34 possibilities. Helps people understand and leverage their natural talents for greater success.
Culinary Leadership
Leadership development specifically designed for professionals in the culinary and hospitality industries. Addresses unique challenges of kitchen environments, service pressure, and creative team management.
E
E-E-A-T
Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. Google's framework for evaluating content quality, particularly important for "Your Money or Your Life" (YMYL) topics like professional services.
Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
The capacity to recognize, understand, and manage your own emotions while also recognizing, understanding, and influencing the emotions of others. Key components include self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills.
Executive Coaching
A personalized, one-on-one development partnership between a trained coach and a leader or executive. The coach helps the leader clarify goals, identify blind spots, develop new capabilities, and achieve measurable improvements in leadership effectiveness.
Executive Presence
The combination of qualities that enable a leader to engage, inspire, and influence others. It encompasses confidence, communication skills, composure under pressure, and the ability to project authority while remaining approachable.
F
First 100 Days
The critical initial period when a leader starts a new role. Research shows that actions taken during this time significantly impact long-term success. Strategic coaching during this period helps leaders build credibility and momentum.
G
Growth Mindset
Coined by psychologist Carol Dweck, the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication, hard work, and learning. Contrasts with a fixed mindset that views talents as static traits.
H
Hogan Assessments
A suite of scientifically validated personality assessments used to predict job performance and leadership potential. Includes the Hogan Personality Inventory (HPI), Hogan Development Survey (HDS), and Motives, Values, Preferences Inventory (MVPI).
I
ICF (International Coaching Federation)
The world's largest organization for professionally trained coaches. ICF credentials (ACC, PCC, MCC) represent the gold standard in coaching certification, requiring specific training hours, experience, and demonstrated competency.
Intentional Change Theory
A framework developed by Richard Boyatzis describing how sustained, desired change occurs in individuals. Involves discovering the ideal self, real self, learning agenda, experimentation, and supportive relationships.
L
Leadership Derailers
Personality characteristics or behaviors that can impede leadership effectiveness, especially under stress. The Hogan Development Survey identifies 11 potential derailers that emerge when leaders stop self-monitoring.
N
Narrative Identity
The internalized, evolving story of the self that integrates past experiences, present self, and imagined future. In leadership development, examining and reconstructing one's narrative can drive profound personal transformation.
S
Stakeholder Mapping
A strategic process of identifying key individuals who have influence over or interest in your success, then planning how to engage and build relationships with each. Essential during leadership transitions.
Strategic Planning
A systematic process for envisioning a desired future and translating that vision into goals, objectives, and action steps. In coaching contexts, often facilitated to help leadership teams align on direction and priorities.
T
Team Coaching
A group coaching process focused on improving how a team works together to achieve collective goals. Addresses team dynamics, communication patterns, decision-making processes, and collaborative effectiveness.
Transformational Leadership
A leadership style that inspires positive change by helping followers see beyond their self-interest for the good of the group. Transformational leaders raise the motivation and morality of both leaders and followers.
Ready to Put These Concepts Into Practice?
Schedule a discovery session to discuss how executive coaching can help you develop your leadership capabilities. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, serving leaders throughout Northeast Ohio and nationwide.
Get StartedQuestions About Leadership Terminology
Why is understanding leadership terminology important?
Clear understanding of leadership concepts helps you communicate more effectively with coaches, consultants, and peers. When you understand terms like 'executive presence' or 'emotional intelligence,' you can have more productive conversations about your development goals. This glossary is compiled by Cleveland-based executive coach Steve Weiss from his work with Ohio leaders.
How do these terms apply to executive coaching?
Each term in this glossary represents a concept we might explore in coaching. For example, understanding 'transformational leadership' helps you assess your own leadership style, while knowing about 'Hogan Assessments' prepares you for data-driven development work. Cleveland and Northeast Ohio executives often reference these terms in our coaching conversations.
Can I get coaching on specific concepts from this glossary?
Absolutely. Many of my Cleveland and Ohio clients come to coaching wanting to develop specific capabilities like executive presence, emotional intelligence, or strategic thinking. We can focus coaching sessions on any area that aligns with your leadership development goals.
Are these definitions industry-standard?
Yes, these definitions reflect commonly accepted meanings in the executive coaching and leadership development field. As an ICF-credentialed coach based in Cleveland, I use terminology consistent with international coaching standards while making concepts accessible and practical for Northeast Ohio business leaders.