By: Zach Miller

It has been a while since something pleasantly surprising has occurred in executive coaching, but the Cine-inspired Coaching (CiC) model has taken the lead. This unique model, developed by Rony Gruber, an experienced executive coach, provides thoughtful guidance to support leaders in team development, goal setting, and navigating strategic challenges beyond traditional boardroom perspectives.

Meet Rony Gruber

With over 30 years of experience in marketing, advertising, and project management, Rony Gruber, PCC, is renowned for his dynamic coaching style that blends creativity and humor into the learning process. After four years as an International Coaching Federation (ICF) chapter president, Rony now serves as a Trustee on the Global Board of the ICF Foundation. He works with executives from organizations such as PayPal, GE, HP, and PepsiCo. Through his CiC model, Rony creates instant rapport and employs metaphors and cinematic methodologies to encourage leaders to step back and widen their perspectives.

The Power of Storytelling in Leadership

Leadership can sometimes feel isolating, and having a thoughtful sounding board can create a space to explore ideas with greater clarity. Rony’s approach centers on creating that safe space and fostering effective leadership rooted in an agile storyline. Rony guides clients in shaping singular narratives based on their strengths, sense of self-worth, and past successes, creating a solid basis for their day-to-day operations.

Rony’s emphasis on storytelling is particularly relevant in today’s complex corporate landscape, where leaders are expected to skirt around ambiguity and inspire diverse teams. His coaching methods provide executives with the tools to communicate effectively, manage difficult conversations, and foster a culture of inclusivity and collaboration. 

Rony believes that coaching is a continuous process toward mastery and is essential for achieving long-term success. Through the CiC model, Rony introduces the distinctive “scriptwriter mentality,” encouraging leaders to explore multiple futures and broaden their decision-making perspective. 

With role-playing and metaphor, CiC increases the development of emotional intelligence and allows better motivation analysis skills. Understanding and assuming the “scriptwriter mentality” optimizes leaders’ capabilities to navigate and build alliances and solidifies their personal brands.

Sharing the Burden as a Managerial Routine

Rony encourages executives to incorporate coaching into their standard operations for three critical reasons. First is the ‘isolation trap’– as managers move up, fewer people around them will provide honest feedback. Without a constant reality check, leaders risk losing their edge and being more susceptive to their blind spots. Second, the ‘balancing hitch’– to lead, managers are expected to display certainty and confidence, yet to excel, they must explore ambiguity, stay curious, and be somewhat doubtful. Coaching helps bridge these conflicting demands, allowing executives to find the proper balance between “knowing” and “exploring.” Lastly, the ‘care paradox’– while leaders are busy caring for people, results, and the future, most place self-care at the bottom of their priorities list. Reflection time and prioritization could leave them less vulnerable to burnout and increase their resilience.

Rony explores key areas such as effective communication in diverse settings, adapting leadership styles, building presence, navigating team dynamics, enhancing engagement, overcoming self-doubt, fostering confidence, approaching problem-solving with multiple perspectives, and handling difficult conversations to encourage understanding.

Rewrite the Leadership Playbook

Mid to top managers chose to work privately with Rony to help confidentiality. This relationship allows them to blend professional and personal topics, providing a holistic exploration of the work-life interface. His client at Microsoft comments on the storytelling approach, “Rony Gruber’s coaching is truly unique, thanks to his masterful use of metaphors. He turns complex concepts into vivid, relatable images that make insights stick. His sessions have transformed how I approach leadership and personal growth, offering clarity and renewed purpose. I recommend him for anyone looking to elevate their potential.” At the same time, the happy client at HP states, “I found Rony to be both logical and systematic, offering a clear, step-by-step approach to solving challenges. His practical process helped me better understand my manager’s perspective and improve our collaboration. With his guidance, I could apply concrete strategies that made a lasting impact on my working relationships.” Find out more about the “Vizier Coaching Sessions” service here. 

The innovative CiC model and the Vizier session service epitomize Rony’s diverse background and unique outsider’s point of view. The programs are designed to suit varying levels of seniority, introversion, and cultural diversity, highlighting leaders’ choices and giving rise to out-of-the-box perspectives and creative solutions. Daniel Goleman states, “IQ gets you hired, EQ gets you fired‘! Going through this development process with Rony strengthens skills but, more importantly, broadens a leader’s emotional range and authenticity.

Throughout the coaching journey with Rony Gruber, leaders achieve their goals and push their boundaries, unlock new possibilities, and enhance what they can accomplish in their careers and lives.

Published by Anne C.