Why Leaders Need Counseling Skills

Erica Kesse

Why Leaders Need Counseling Skills

Leadership is a complex and challenging task. It requires a wide range of skills, including the ability to vision cast, create a mission, communicate effectively, manage time, and thrive in a complex environment. Counseling skills can help leaders develop these skills and be more successful in their roles.


Vision Casting


Vision casting is the ability to create a clear and compelling vision for the future. It is essential for leaders to be able to inspire others to follow them and work towards a common goal. Counseling skills can help leaders develop the ability to listen to others, understand their needs and desires, and create a vision that meets those needs.


Mission Creation


Mission creation is the process of defining the purpose of an organization. It is essential for leaders to be able to articulate the mission of their organization and inspire others to work towards it. Counseling skills can help leaders develop the ability to listen to others, understand their values and beliefs, and create a mission that reflects those values.


Communication Skills


Communication is essential for effective leadership. Leaders need to be able to communicate effectively with others, both verbally and in writing. They also need to be able to listen to others and understand their concerns. Counseling skills can help leaders develop the ability to communicate effectively with others.


Time Management


Time management is essential for effective leadership. Leaders need to be able to manage their time effectively in order to get things done. They also need to be able to delegate tasks and empower others. Counseling skills can help leaders develop the ability to manage their time effectively.


Thrive Planning


Thrive planning is the process of developing a plan for personal and professional growth. It is essential for leaders to be able to grow and develop in order to be effective. Counseling skills can help leaders develop the ability to set goals, develop a plan to achieve those goals, and monitor their progress.


How Counseling Skills Can Help Leaders


Counseling skills can help leaders in a number of ways. They can help leaders:


  • Develop a clear vision for the future
  • Create a mission that inspires others
  • Communicate effectively with others
  • Manage their time effectively
  • Develop a plan for personal and professional growth


Counseling skills can also help leaders deal with the challenges of leadership, such as stress, burnout, and conflict. By developing these skills, leaders can be more effective in their roles and help their organizations achieve success.


Conclusion


Leadership is a complex and challenging task. However, it is also an incredibly rewarding one. By developing counseling skills, leaders can be more effective in their roles and help their organizations achieve success.

Why Your Business Feels Like a Burden (And How to Fix the Invisible Brake)

By Erica Kesse • February 6, 2026
You didn’t start your business to become a mechanic. You started it to be a visionary. Yet, lately, you find yourself exhausted, second-guessing your intuition, and feeling like the entire weight of the company is resting on your shoulders.  In my work with leaders, I call this "Strategic Floundering." It’s that heavy, tight feeling in your chest when you realize that despite the long hours, the view from the summit isn't getting any closer. Here is the truth most consultants miss: You don’t have a productivity problem. You have a configuration problem. To reach your Vision (The Horizon), you need a high-performance Mission (The Vehicle). Your Vision is the emotional "Why." Your Mission is the operational "How." If the vehicle is broken—missing tires, no fuel, or a seized engine—it doesn't matter how hard you stare at the horizon. You aren't going anywhere. When your Mission is vague, you pay the "Ambiguity Tax." This isn't a line item on your P&L, but it is your most expensive cost. The First-Order Effect: You jump in to fix every small problem. The Second-Order Effect: Y our best people stop thinking for themselves because they know you’ll take over. You accidentally turn "A-Players" into "order-takers." This creates a Ghost Engine where your personal health and sleep are the only things keeping the company moving. This isn't a business; it's a cage. Real leadership isn't just a head game. To stop pushing the car and start driving it, you must achieve Vertical Integration: The Head (Mind): Does the Mission make logical sense? Does every service have its own tires (budget and staff)? The Heart: Does this work still feed your soul, or have you abandoned your values for growth? The Gut: Do you t rust your own intuition, or are you ignoring the "check engine" light in your stomach? When these three are aligned, the friction disappears. You move from being a worker in your business to being the Commander of your legacy. You can keep pushing the car until you burn out, or you can pull over and fix the engine.
Imafage of a black woman meditating

The Silent Saboteur: Why Your Spreadsheet is Lying to You

By Erica Kesse • January 26, 2026
Why do successful CEOs still feel like they are floundering? Discover how the conflict between your gut and spreadsheet impacts your leadership and mental health

Wellbeing at Work: Why Purpose (Mission) is the Ultimate Buffer Against Burnout

By Erica Kesse • January 23, 2026
Why can a CEO work 80 hours a week on a passion project and feel energized, but 40 hours on a meaningless task feels draining? The answer lies in Purpose . Research shows that connecting work to a higher Mission is one of the strongest buffers against burnout. If you are worried about the mental health of your leadership team, look at your Mission statement first. The "Why" Matters More Than the "What" "Quiet quitting" and executive burnout often stem from a sense of futility. Weak Mission: "We want to increase Q3 profits." (High stress, low fulfillment). Strong Mission: "We exist to save our home planet." (Patagonia). (High effort, high fulfillment).  Leadership Resilience For a CEO, the Mission is the fuel tank. When times get tough, profit goals won't keep you warm. Only a deep belief in why you exist can sustain your wellbeing through a crisis.
More Posts