The Success Story of Erik Gillet: Coaching in Action
A powerful example of how coaching can help with major business decisions is the story of Erik Gillet. After a career in the financial sector, with roles at Credit Suisse and UBS, Gillet faced a tough choice: an attractive position at Essilor in France or an exciting new challenge at a major bank in Singapore. Both options were appealing but so different that he couldn’t decide. To make the decision, he turned to Thomas Beerepoot, a coach he had known since his student days. Nearly 20 years earlier, Beerepoot had coached him and knew exactly how to help.
In three intense sessions, two of which were over the phone, Gillet was forced to give intuitive answers through a rapid-fire series of questions. This process helped him quickly get to the core of what he truly wanted. The fast, no-nonsense approach, without room for doubt or overthinking, ultimately led him to choose EssilorLuxottica, the global leader in eyewear and lenses.
The ‘Seeing’ Method: Quick Decision-Making and Taking Action
The coaching method Beerepoot used with Gillet, called ‘Seeing,’ is designed to promote quick, clear decision-making. Developed in collaboration with Harvard Business School, the method relies on speed, precision, and structure. The goal is to get the coachee into a flow state, enabling them to make decisions intuitively and overcome internal barriers. According to Beerepoot, the key is staying connected with your intuition, unlocking deeper passion and motivation. “When you truly believe in something, you radiate that energy, and it inspires your team,” Beerepoot explains.
Bolster: Coaching for Individuals and Teams
The success of this method didn’t stop with Gillet. Soon after choosing EssilorLuxottica, he decided to have his entire team coached by Beerepoot. As Business Improvement Director, responsible for Robotic Process Automation, Gillet needed a high level of creativity and collaboration within his team. The coaches from Bolster, Beerepoot’s company, have since played a major role in the development of his team.
Bolster employs twelve coaches, ranging in age from 28 to 58, all trained in the ‘Seeing’ method. They coach not only individuals but also teams and entire organizations, particularly during times of transformation. This includes transitions like moving from fossil fuels to renewable energy, from pharma to biotech, or from traditional banking to digital services. Large, established companies facing these shifts must learn to think and act in new ways. It starts with the leader but extends to the entire team.
Coaching as a Transformative Force
Beerepoot describes Bolster’s ideal client as a “brave leader,” someone willing to implement deep changes within their organization. “We coach the top executive first, then their team,” he says. This domino effect means that entire leadership teams, departments, and sometimes whole organizations become involved in the coaching process. In Gillet’s case, this happened naturally. After his own positive experience with coaching, he wanted his team members to develop their personal vision and apply it to the company’s goals.
At EssilorLuxottica, Bolster’s coaching has now become part of the organization. For a shared service center in Manila focused on automating production, Gillet plans to have Bolster coach the leaders. The coaching process is structured: the team is asked what kind of team is needed, what mindset is required, and what steps must be taken in the coming months to achieve their goals. Beerepoot ensures that teams take ownership and set clear objectives, helping them to work more effectively.
Bolster’s Long-Term Vision: Investing in Sustainable Change
Bolster is committed to building long-term relationships with its clients. Large projects can take several years, during which entire organizations undergo transformation. For example, Bolster coached all the CEOs and their teams at the subsidiaries of a financial institution—an enormous project spanning multiple years. Each year, Bolster works with about 35 clients, 10 of which involve large-scale, long-term engagements. This focus on sustainable relationships allows Bolster to drive profound change within organizations, leading not only to improved performance but also to more engaged and motivated employees.
Translation quote “He forced me to respond intuitively. As a result, my dilemma suddenly became a simple choice.”
Source: MT Insight (summarized)
