LIVE with The Famous Dr AL and Will Samson

The Transformational Power of Change with Will Samson

Introduction Host Dr. Allen Lycka welcomes transformational coach and consultant Will Samson. With over two decades of experience in organizational change and a PhD in psychology, Will empowers executive teams, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth individuals to navigate growth, resilience, and self-discovery. His inspiring journey of overcoming addiction and reinventing his life in his 50s proves that transformation is always possible.

Overcoming Rock Bottom Will shares the pivotal moment that led him to change. Despite professional success, he struggled with addiction, using alcohol to mask his unhappiness. A traffic accident with legal consequences became his wake-up call. He decided to embrace transformation, leading to personal growth and a new path in coaching and consulting.

The Impact of Recovery on Coaching Will outlines how his recovery journey shaped his coaching methodology. He emphasizes four key steps in transformation:

• Identifying what is within one's control
• Reconciling with oneself
• Building better relationships with others
• Establishing systems to sustain progress These principles apply not just to overcoming addiction but also to business and personal growth.

Helping Executives Embrace Change Will discusses the resistance to change in leadership and how he helps executives overcome it. His seminar, You Are Chaos, challenges leaders to recognize that they shape their own environment. The acronym VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) describes today’s business landscape, and Will teaches leaders to take ownership of their internal change first before addressing external challenges.

Building Resilience in Leadership A key component of leadership is resilience. Will guides executives through an exercise using three questions:

• I come from a people who…
• I come from a place where…
• I bring with me… These reflections help leaders recognize their past influences and develop self-trust, which is essential for resilience in both personal and professional life.

The Slow Change Approach Will stresses that meaningful transformation takes time. Recovery research shows it takes 18 months for the brain to reset from addiction, and similarly, real change in business and life requires patience. His "slow change" philosophy helps clients commit to the process of transformation rather than seeking instant results.

Common Misconceptions About Coaching One major misunderstanding in coaching is the belief that a coach will do the work for the client. Will differentiates coaching from therapy, emphasizing that coaching is about guiding individuals to act on what they already know they need to do. He likens it to sports coaching—strategic insight is valuable, but the player must execute the plays.

A Success Story Will shares an inspiring client story: a young engineer with ambitions to become the youngest CTO in their company’s history. Through structured coaching, they achieved their goal in 15 months, demonstrating the power of clear goals, self-awareness, and persistence.

Key Qualities of Successful Leaders Successful executives share common traits, including:

• Asking more questions than making statements
• Practicing empathy and authenticity
• Understanding what they can and cannot control
• Building a team around them that fosters interdependence

BIO:

Will Samson is a transformational coach and consultant who shapes the future of work and life through thought leadership. With over two decades of experience in organizational change management and a Ph.D. in Sociology, Will empowers executive teams, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth individuals to navigate growth, resilience, and self-discovery. His personal story of overcoming addiction and reinventing his life in his 50s showcases his belief that it’s never too late to change and thrive.

Social Media:

 https://linktr.ee/willsamsonchangecoach