Welcome to Conversations
Executive Coaching. Personal insights from Geoff Davis.
“Come to the edge of the cliff,” he said. “We are afraid,” they said.
“Come to the edge of the cliff,” he said. “We are afraid,” they said.
“Come to the edge of the cliff,” he said. They came. He pushed. They flew.
— Guillaume Apollinaire
“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” – Anais Nin
“When you are motivated by fear, you are not able to see the best path.”
– Eugene O’Kelly
“Any problem in an organization or relationship is directly related to a conversation not being held or one being held poorly.”
– Julio Olalla
Click here to hear Geoff’s interview on leadership from Dr. Kristen Albert’s podcast, “Turning Points in Leadership”
With the increasing demands and frenetic pace of business life, today’s business leaders find themselves off-balance, unsatisfied, and searching for meaning. Organizations will increasingly find that helping employees through this life navigation will enhance their ability to attract, retain, and grow their most valuable resource – people.
Coaching is helping individuals become self-aware, self-correcting and self-generating on their personal journeys. People have areas in their lives where they “get grabbed.” Coaching helps you get “un-grabbed” and see what possibilities exist for a more fulfilling life.
“Two things I believe about people: In every situation, everyone does the best that he or she is capable of doing; and everyone can do better.”
– Geoff Davis
Like many, I’ve spent most of my life a “workaholic”. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t putting in the 60+ hour weeks, seven days a week, trying to be the best that I could be in my various professions. But as I neared 50, I had a distinct sense that there was more to life than this “quest to be the best”. After four major career changes in 20 years, I began to examine my life and its meaning and purpose.
I was fortunate enough to work with one of the most talented executive coaches in the field, Melissa McNair. Through being coached, I saw that much of my life was reactive, that my intensity levels had negative effects on others and me, and that, in my attempt to achieve excellence in my work, I expended a great deal of energy obsessing about future events that drained me. I could not have come to this realization alone.
“Don’t let your horizon be the edge of the rut.”
– Anonymous
Coaching had such a positive impact on me that, with Melissa’s mentoring, I became a coach. I understand the concept of coaching and its value to individuals and the business organizations in which they work. I am trained to know what practices and ways of knowing can take you to a higher level and how to support where you are and where you’re going.
While therapists may delve into emotional and historical issues and consultants and mentors give advice, life coaches take a different approach: They are trained in questioning clients with the intent of helping clarify what they really want in life and/or work, to set goals and get around roadblocks such as procrastination and life’s distractions.
– Coaching Definition from Newsday, March 2007
Skills & Qualifications
Executive Coaching, strategic and tactical planning, lifelong learner and learning specialist, continuous quality improvement/total quality management, national/international speaker and presenter, facilitator, fund-raising, writing, strategic leadership, and supervision.
Experience 
2008-present
President, Conversations, Inc.
2001-2008
Executive Coach & Leadership Consultant; Professional Certified Coach, Reinsel Kuntz Lesher LLP
1996-2001
Executive Director, Educational Foundation, Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry. Responsible for knowledge aggregation and learning dissemination, partnerships, strategies and tactics for members and customers in support of Chamber mission.
1994-1996
Executive Director, Pennsylvania Public Education Foundation, Pennsylvania School Boards Association. Responsible for development and implementation of fund raising strategies in support of mission.
1991-1996
Director of Inservice Education, Pennsylvania School Boards Association. Responsible for development, implementation and delivery of general and customized learning opportunities for the state’s school board members, superintendents, business officials, and individual districts.
1984-1991
General Manager, Director of Marketing, ISC Educational Systems/Ferranti Educational Systems. Responsible for start up operations and market development of technology learning company that provided education and training on international and national levels (i.e. — interactive videodisc, computer-based training, videotape, and workbook-based).
1972-1984
English teacher, wrestling coach, adviser to various clubs, Department Chair (1983-84), Hempfield High School. Adjunct professor, Millersville University (1979-1984).
Education
2012
The Foundations of Generative Leadership, Institute for Generative Leadership
2006
Foundations of Ontological Learning, Newfield Network
2004
Professional Certified Coach, International Coach Federation
2003
LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY ™ Accredited Facilitator
2002
Integral Coaching Certification, New Ventures West
1986-present
Ongoing professional development seminars, workshops, and readings.
1995
The Fund Raising School, Indiana University
1994-1996
Program participant, U.S. Army War College, Carlisle
1986
Wharton Executive Education Courses
1981
Educational Supervision, Millersville University
1975
M.Ed., Secondary English, Millersville University
1972
BS Ed., English, Millersville University
I am grateful for the valuable time I have spent with Geoff Davis as my Executive Coach. I have gained a clearer and deeper understanding of who I am as a leader which has given me the confidence to live into that. How do I assess the multifaceted problems which arise as I work with complex systems within the organization? How do I make decisions? As leadership challenges arise, there are times I struggle with anxiety. Geoff has been very impactful as I have learned to ground the assessments I make and base my decisions on the facts of a given situation rather than emotion. And at the core of all that, Geoff has given me the tools to name and engage in the necessary conversations which brings clarity and builds trust in me as a leader. All this enables me to provide the strategic leadership necessary to maximize the potential which lies within the people I serve. Read More
Pete Kontra
District Executive, Atlantic Northeast District Church of the Brethren
Much like athletes and musicians, effective leaders know that the only way to grow is to seek expert, authentic feedback. Leaders need a safe space to share successes and struggles while being challenged to develop new skills. In today’s competitive, fast-paced world, finding a trusted coach is more essential than ever and Geoff Davis is one of those rare individuals. Having worked with Geoff for several years, I can say without reservation that he has helped me develop habits of mind and daily practices that improve organizational culture and produce results. He is particularly attentive to the relational side of leadership and the critical importance of effective communications. Whether identifying the facts and possibilities in resolving systemic breakdowns to exploring the second and third order effects of decision making, Geoff actively listens and makes intuitive connections to research and his experiences. Though he might not admit it, the thousands of hours he has dedicated to growing his extensive knowledge as a Read More
Matt Stem
Deputy Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education, Pennsylvania Department of Education
Have you ever needed reassurance that you are on the right track with an important decision or strategy? This is one of the many benefits that Executive Coaching has provided for me. I have worked with Geoff Davis for over 12 years and continue to benefits from his coaching and wisdom. Geoff is truly a trusted advisor who has helped me with my leadership journey and succession planning. My two sons are now benefiting from his monthly coaching and leadership meetings. Geoff provides a wealth of knowledge. After a session, he sends me relevant articles and reading that are pertinent to issues and decisions I am faced with. I would encourage all leaders to establish a coaching/leadership relationship with a coach. I have been blessed to work and interact with Geoff. Read More
Clark Tomlinson
President, Tomlinson Bomberger Lawn Care, Landscape & Pest Control
I have worked with Geoff since 2009 as a consultant for my company as well as my personal coach. I can think of no person more influential in my career and personal leadership development than Geoff. His methodology as a coach has helped me to understand and define my values and beliefs, explore my vulnerabilities and progress on the road to mastery. His concepts have helped me to create and articulate a vision for my teams, create engagement and commitment while addressing the cares and concerns of my staff. The time I have spent with Geoff in personal exploration, asking and answering challenging questions about myself has been the most valuable and lasting leadership development I have experienced in my 25 years working for Fortune 500 Corporations and large multi-nationals. Read More
Michael Szymanski
Site Director, Marietta, GlaxoSmithKline
I've been working with Geoff since 2011 and the results I have achieved from his coaching have been life-changing. I had achieved an admirable level of success before coaching with Geoff, but I had no idea that I could transform my life and work to be in complete alignment with what I care most deeply about. An amazing and transformational shift, made possible through Geoff's masterful coaching. Read More
Dr. Kristen Albert
President, Turning Points LLC
Geoff Davis has been hands down the best investment we’ve made here at the JFC Staffing Companies! Through his carefully crafted and organized approach, he opened our minds to new insights that have propelled the growth of our business. Geoff is literally a personal and professional development guru, a master coach. We are blessed to have crossed paths with him nearly a decade ago and we most certainly will continue this partnership for years to come. Read More
Jim Carchidi
Chief Enthusiasm Officer, JFC Staffing Companies
Working with Geoff has been an incredibly positive, life-changing experience. Geoff agreed to provide me with executive coaching services many years ago. My goal then was to become the best leader I could be. Instead, I’ve learned how to become the best person I can be, and it has been a game-changer in all aspects of my life. Read More
Kerryn E. Fulton, P.E.
Chief Executive Officer, C.S. Davidson, Inc.
My leadership coaching journey began with Geoff years ago when I was serving as an assistant superintendent. His work with our leadership team at the time was invaluable to me, so much that I sought him out to assist me prior to applying for a superintendency and throughout my 10 years in that role. I attribute a bulk of my success to Geoff's mentorship. Coaching is like leadership therapy, and Geoff brings caring and compassion combined with research-based, current literature and leadership concepts to every meeting. His understanding of relationship and its critical nature in leadership has provided me with a solid foundation and leadership philosophy that serves me well. I highly recommend Geoff. Read More
April M. Hershey, Ed.D.
Superintendent, Warwick School District