Meeting/Event Information

In celebration of International Coaching Week, this event is free to all. Use code “ICW” when registering.

“Celebrate International Coaching Week with the ICF Cleveland Chapter!”

Overwhelm is one of the most common yet under-addressed challenges both coaches and clients face, often leading to reduced effectiveness, stress, and burnout if left unchecked. Research on stress, cognitive load, and mindset demonstrates that identity narratives, perfectionism, and attachment to outcomes can intensify feelings of overwhelm, while practical frameworks like time audits, energy audits, and strengths-based questioning help clients regain clarity and control.

As an experienced executive coach working with hundreds of leaders across diverse industries, I have guided clients through moments of high stress, helping them transform reactive overwhelm into sustainable action and growth.

In this interactive virtual workshop, participants will engage in breakout discussions, reflective exercises, and role-play scenarios to explore the difference between overwhelm and burnout, uncover identity-driven patterns, and practice coaching frameworks and appreciative inquiry questions. By the end, participants will leave with actionable tools and strategies to coach clients and themselves toward clarity, resilience, and proactive prevention of overwhelm.

1. Differentiate between overwhelm and burnout

ICF Competencies:

o    Embodies a Coaching Mindset (2)
o    Maintains Presence (5)

Rationale: Recognizing the nuances between overwhelm and burnout requires emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and the ability to stay grounded and present in the coaching relationship.

2. Recognize the role of identity and mindset in sustaining overwhelm

•    ICF Competencies:

o    Cultivates Trust and Safety (4)
o    Evokes Awareness (7)

Rationale: Exploring how identity and mindset shape a client’s experience fosters psychological safety and encourages deeper self-reflection and insight.

3. Apply coaching frameworks to assess and reduce overwhelm

•    ICF Competencies:

o    Listens Actively (6)
o    Facilitates Client Growth (8)

Rationale: Using structured tools like time or energy audits helps coaches translate attentive listening into actionable strategies that promote client clarity and sustainable change.

4. Use appreciative inquiry–based coaching questions to shift perspective

•    ICF Competencies:

o    Listens Actively (6)
o    Evokes Awareness (7)
o    Facilitates Client Growth (8)

Rationale: Strengths-based, future-oriented questions help clients access new perspectives, generate insights, and move from reactive states toward empowered action.

5. Design a proactive coaching plan to prevent overwhelm

·       ICF Competencies:

o   Establishes and Maintains Agreements (3)

o   Facilitates Client Growth (8)

Rationale: Creating proactive structures and accountability plans supports ongoing development and reinforces the partnership between coach and client.

In celebration of International Coaching Week, this event is free to all. Use code “ICW” when registering.

ICF CE Credit GRANTED
1.5 Core Competencies
0.0 Resource Development

FACILITATOR:

Max Polec
Executive Coach
The CEO Strategy

Max Polec, PCC, is an executive coach and founder of The CEO Strategy. With over a decade of experience in startups and businesses, he specializes in growth strategy, operations, and talent development. Max has coached hundreds of startup founders and CEOs, helping them unlock their potential through focused coaching and strategy frameworks. He is an ICF-certified coach and a certified Executive Coach through the Center for Executive Coaching. Max's work includes executive coaching, management training, leadership development, career coaching, and more. He is known for his practical tools and actionable advice, making him a valuable resource for anyone in a client-facing or cross-functional role looking to sharpen their decision-making and optimize their workday.