Two decades inside the evolution of leadership coaching

After more than two decades with Vision Coaching, Danae Johnson has witnessed the evolution of coaching firsthand – from a niche leadership practice to a widely recognized tool for developing leaders and strengthening organizations.

Danae joined Vision’s roster in 2005 after meeting founder Dave Veale while they were classmates in the executive coaching program at Royal Roads University. 

The learning environment was intense, and the connections formed there helped shape the early days of Vision Coaching.

Danae has witnessed Vision grow from a small group of coaches into what she describes as “a constellation of incredible coaches” working with leaders across sectors. Over the 20 years, Danae developed her own range of work and collaborations in coaching, but she has remained with Vision throughout the entire journey.

The broader understanding of coaching has also changed dramatically, she says. When she began her coaching career, many organizations were still learning what coaching was and how it could support leadership development. Today, coaching is far more widely understood and embraced.

But while coaching has evolved and expanded, Danae believes the foundations of the work at Vision Coaching have remained remarkably consistent.

“Integrity. Trust. Continuous learning. Compassion. Fun and humour,” she says. “I still see those values vibrantly in Vision.”

Those values influence not only how Vision coaches work with leaders and teams, but how they show up for one another as colleagues.

For Danae, the sense of community that has developed across the roster is one of the most meaningful parts of the experience.

“You really feel like you’re part of something bigger,” she says. “Creating community in something like this isn’t easy – but Vision has done it in a way that’s meaningful.”

She also credits Dave’s original vision for the company as an enduring influence.

“He’s always had this broad vision,” Danae says. “In many ways the name Vision Coaching fits perfectly, because he’s helped individuals, teams and organizations live into their vision.”

Danae says the combination of shared values, learning and connection continues to keep her energized about the work ahead, even after more than 20 years.

“It’s something I feel deeply invested in,” she says. “And that’s part of what makes it meaningful.”

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