
Insights
Expert Series
Why Willpower Fails: The Science of Full Transformation
Description:
Most leaders who seek coaching have already tried to change. They set goals, made plans, and used willpower. It didn't stick. Dr. Maja Djikic, a personality psychologist and Thinkers50 honoree, explains why: behavior is only one of five interconnected parts of the self. When you force one part to move while the other four resist, you don't transform. You just exhaust yourself.
In this Expert Series conversation, Dr. Djikic introduces her model of open and closed constructs, explains why the unconscious mind overpowers conscious intention, and outlines the conditions required for rapid, lasting transformation. Her framework gives coaches a practical lens for understanding why clients stay stuck and what it actually takes to help them move.
personality psychology, behaviour change, coaching science, self-development, transformation
Books


The Possible Self
by Maja Djikic
The Possible Self: A Leader’s Guide to Personal Development is a science-based roadmap for leaders who are successful on paper yet feel strangely stuck inside. Drawing on more than a decade of research and executive teaching, Djikic introduces the “Wheel of Self” model, showing how lasting change only happens when five parts of the self move together: motivation, behavior, emotion, mind, and our embodied past.
Through vivid case stories and clear explanations, she explains why willpower, mindset shifts, or habit hacks alone rarely stick, and how stalled patterns like overwork, perfectionism, or emotional shutdown can be understood as frozen attempts at growth. Each chapter offers practical techniques to rediscover core desires, restore depleted willpower, process difficult emotions, loosen rigid beliefs, and relearn old bodily patterns so they support rather than sabotage change.
For CoachFinder clients, The Possible Self is both a framework and a toolkit: it helps leaders turn insight into transformation, escape the “success without fulfillment” trap, and build a more grounded, flexible, and humane way of leading themselves and others.


Becoming an Exceptional Executive Coach: Use Your Knowledge, Experience, and Intuition to Help Leaders Excel
by Michael H. Frisch, Robert J. Lee, Karen L. Metzger, Jeremy Robinson, Judy Rosemarin
Becoming an Exceptional Executive Coach is a practical guide that explains what it takes to coach leaders effectively and responsibly. The book introduces a structured coaching model that begins with building trust, clarifying expectations, and defining clear goals that connect to both personal growth and organizational needs. The authors highlight the importance of deep listening, strong observation skills, and asking powerful questions that help clients discover their own solutions rather than relying on advice. Throughout the book, real case examples illustrate how coaches can navigate complex leadership challenges, such as conflict, performance issues, stalled careers, or organizational change. It also covers ethical boundaries, confidentiality, and how to maintain professionalism while building strong coaching relationships. The authors emphasize developing self-awareness in both coach and client, using assessments wisely, and helping leaders turn insights into sustainable habits. Overall, the book serves as a comprehensive foundation for anyone seeking to deliver thoughtful, effective, and high-impact executive coaching.
Articles
15 articles


The Leadership Power of Gratitude

Cuddling Up to Chaos: Surviving Digital Transformation with ACT

Moving from Manager to Executive: The (No-Secret) Sauce

Communication, Conflict, and Scaling What Works

Peak Personal Effectiveness: The New Path to Sustained High Performance

The Power of Narrative

The Legacy Shift: Why Top Leaders Are Choosing Impact Over Income

Leaning Into The New Zero ™

The 48-Hour Rule: How Elite Leaders Make Decisions When Everything's on Fire

The 7-Second Rule: How Top Executives Command Any Room Before They Speak

The Founder Bottleneck: A $50M Study on What Actually Unlocks Scale

The 87% Problem: Why Most Strategies Never Translate to Results (And the 4-Question Framework That Changes Everything)

The $2.7 Trillion Question: A Data-Driven Guide to Choosing Between Coaches, Consultants, and Therapists

