Highlights from the Coaching Gold Podcast: Transitioning into Leadership.

In a recent episode of the Coaching Gold Podcast, hosts Dorian Cunion and Dr. Rudy Jackson sat down with Jennifer Whitcomb, a Master Certified Coach and founder of The Trillium Group. The conversation moved beyond basic leadership tips to explore the deep structural and behavioral shifts required for success in today’s C-suite and corporate environments.

Here are the key highlights from their insightful dialogue:

1. The Mindset Shift into Leadership

Transitioning into a senior executive role isn't just about having more responsibilities; it’s about a fundamental shift in how you view your influence. Jennifer highlighted that many new leaders struggle to define the type of leader they want to be. 

" …., what do you want to be known for as a leader? And then what needs to happen so that you can scale up?" — Jennifer Whitcomb

The key is asking: what strengths do you possess that make you special and unique, and how can you use them to help excel as a leader? 

2. Uncovering the "Invisible Meetings."

One of the most provocative segments of the podcast centered on the concept of cultural fit and "invisible meetings". The group discussed how critical decisions are often made in social settings—on the golf course, at happy hour, or over cigars—which can unintentionally exclude diverse voices and lead to "silent quitting".

• Awareness: Leaders must be their own observers to see if they are setting up barriers.

• Inclusion: When decisions happen outside the company walls, it can erode transparency and a sense of belonging.

3. Holistic Understanding of a Leader

Dr. Rudy Jackson and Jennifer discussed the common misconception that coaching is just a conversation. In reality, high-impact coaching requires metrics and diagnostics.

• Verbal 360s: Jennifer prefers interviewing a leader’s team directly to get qualitative depth, in addition to using surveys and other assessments to learn about clients' strengths, blind spots, and developmental opportunities. 

• Assessments: Dr. Rudy and Dorian share how the Power6 Leader assessment helps leaders gain a clear understanding of the 6 essential skills they need to be effective. 

4. The Power6 Leader Model: Transitioning into Leadership

Dorian Cunion shared the origins of the Power6 Leader Model, which focuses on controllable behaviors rather than fixed personality traits.

• The Gap: While organizations tend to invest in professional development at the very top, there is a massive training gap for emerging leaders in high-demand environments like healthcare and retail.

• The ROI: By bundling diagnostics, training, and coaching into a 90-day cadence, the Power6 model helps emerging leaders develop the skills they need to thrive in leadership roles. 

Watch the Full Episode

Leadership in 2026 demands more than just "good questions"—it requires a system for transformation. To hear the full discussion on what can help you transition into a leadership role and how the Diagnostic Leadership Evaluation (DLE)  can help to scale your impact, watch the full episode on our YouTube channel.