Portfolio career enhanced and propelled by learning from coaching.

This month Luc Albert, 2024 Mastered alumnus, shares his journey from an international executive career to a portfolio career and how both have been enhanced and propelled by his learnings from coaching and the Mastered programme.

What were you doing before the Mastered Programme?

A few years after leaving my executive career I decided to enrol on the Mastered Programme. A decade earlier, I had a career-changing experience with an excellent executive coach who, unknowingly, nudged me into a new professional chapter.

Over a period of 25 years previous, Swiss Re had offered me many opportunities to develop as a leader in various roles across three continents. However, I was eager to try something completely different. My coaching sessions were both challenging and fulfilling, prompting further questions. Ultimately, though, I was comfortable with not having all the answers. I had rediscovered myself and knew which direction to take.

Like many alumni of the Mastered programme, I had been mentoring and coaching throughout my career; most of the time, I didn’t really know what I was doing, but I trusted my instincts. It was my own experience as a coachee that sparked my keen interest in learning more and receiving thorough training.

Following my departure from Swiss Re, I spent several years working intensively with early-stage start-ups in various capacities, including as an investor, advisor and mentor. In 2023, I decided to reduce my commitments to focus more on scale-ups and a few non-executive mandates, and free up time for other activities. My involvement in an executive mentoring network had brought me a few mandates. I concluded it was time for me to develop my skills further and adopt a more non-directive approach.

What impact did the Mastered programme have for you?

The first few modules and practice client sessions were challenging, as I found myself reverting to my old habits of providing direction and solving problems. While sometimes I struggled to motivate myself to write reflections in my learning journal, I found exploring these reflections, particularly those concerning my effectiveness as a coach, to be very valuable. The feedback I received from my tutor and fellow students was also most helpful. The second part of the programme was characterised by a sense of relief, as I was able to let go and focus on helping my clients to explore and reflect.

What are some examples of things you have done differently since the Mastered programme?

Before a coaching session, I always take time to unwind and prepare, making sure that I am in the right frame of mind to give my client my undivided attention. Sometimes, I use the Calm app for a short meditation session; at other times, I spend a moment improvising at the piano.

I used to take notes after my initial client sessions, but now I rarely do that. By not taking notes, it enables me to “work with what’s in the room”, as opposed to getting trapped in a storyline built on previous sessions. The client will remind me of any recurring issues soon enough.

What was the most valuable thing/(s) you got from Mastered that you are using now?

There were many. I’d like to highlight the generosity of the Mastered community, which provides a wealth of opportunities. Since graduating, I have regularly participated in sessions with peers in a few Meyler Campbell networks, which I have enjoyed. The Mastered programme has also inspired me to start reading again, broadening my knowledge of coaching and allowing me to immerse myself in a good novel. It’s something I had completely neglected for years.

Where do you see yourself going in the future?

I like the idea that you never stop learning as a coach. I seize every opportunity to coach, both commercially and pro bono, and I can see myself continuing to do so for many years to come. Coaching can be combined with other professional activities, and it actually enhances my effectiveness in other roles by improving my listening skills and my ability to ask probing questions.

Anything else you would like to say?

I would like to thank Meyler Campbell for providing an excellent educational programme led by a team of exceptional professionals. I would particularly like to thank my tutor, Alexandra Durnford, and the many peers I have had the privilege of getting to know over the past two years. I’m grateful to be part of this distinctive community!

Luc Albert, 2024 Mastered Alumnus