Robert Groeneweg ACC

Certified Executive, Business and ?Outdoor Coach

My background

The first 15 years of my career, I worked in the corporate business world, in the Heineken Group, in different roles and countries. While holding a leading regional role responsible for former Yugoslavia and Albania, I married a Croatian woman. This led me to choose Croatia as my new home, and now with a family of 7, including 4 children and a dog. I changed my corporate career path for an entrepreneurial one. This journey included working as a consultant, CEO, and executive leader in two companies until 2009, when I started working from scratch on what is today my executive search company. Amid the pandemic, I acted upon my inner desire to explore coaching, something that had already been calling me out for some time. Then, everything fell into place. I earned the business coaching diploma after finishing the necessary education and passing the exam (PwC). I joined the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and was accredited as ICF ACC. I continued learning and graduated with the BCD Diploma Advanced Coach (PwC). I love coaching sessions. I learn through each of them and I coach people in Croatia and from all over the world, with different cultures, habits, beliefs, and backgrounds.

What do I bring to executive business coaching?

• Transparency
• Listening and exploring on a deep level in a safe space
• Straightforwardness and efficiency
• Authenticity
• Flexibility

Coaching Outdoors

Coaching where a session takes place out in nature is Coaching Outdoors, as opposed to what people traditionally imagine as a coaching session, in an office or online.

While on the move, clients often relax in a way they do not, in a closed space. It is simply noticeable how easy it is for them to put their guard down, honestly and openly share about their struggles, concerns, ideas, wishes and dilemmas. I have seen it so often, nature itself is a true coaching partner, offering plenty of metaphors and challenges.

Research results are available on the benefits of taking coaching outdoors:

Side-by-side:

• A unique element is walking side-by-side, rather than sitting opposite each other and this is described as liberating, non-judgmental, relaxing and a familiar connection.
• It removes the sense of being looked at or having too much eye contact.
• It takes away the intensity, making it easier to deal with more challenging questions or experience silence without feeling uncomfortable or awkward.
• Having no one in front of you allows you to experience the openness of nature and think differently and articulate more easily.
• Experience of a more metaphorical journey, building an easier rapport and trust and sharing more personal and insightful experiences

Movement and pace:

• Outdoor coaching allows for freedom of movement and use of pace
• Benefits of coaching and exercise at the same time
• Use of pace enables expression of emotions

Openness, space and expanse:

• Leading to a sense of freedom of thought
• Removing boundaries, being able to see the sky, natural light, a stretched view is described as timeless and limitless
• Expanse of nature provides space to think, which is a fantastic feeling of freedom, relief and release

Coaching outdoors allows incorporating aspects of nature, which is very hard to find online or in the office. Breathing fresh air helps conversations and the flow of thoughts. One feels free, comfortable, calm, relaxed, energised and limitless. Nature is constantly changing and providing support in a way that inspires clients who are seeking a way of changing themselves.