Robert Witherspoon is a seasoned executive coach and trusted leadership advisor. A widely respected top coach and thought leader, he is known as an executive coaching pioneer, published author, and recognized authority on executive coaching, leadership development, and organizational learning. After successful careers in business and consulting, he founded Performance and Leadership Development, in 1990, to focus on executive coaching and organizational change.   

Robert offers a continuum of custom assessment, feedback, and coaching services. He tailors his work to each unique situation ensuring: 

  • Immediate impact: actionable insights and clear takeaways from each coaching session, plus follow-up tips, are resources for immediate use. 
  • Measurable results: progress checks and assessments ensure goals are met. 
  • Sustainable success: actionable feedback and coaching help learn powerful leadership skills, uncover blind spots, and change behaviors to get better bottom-line results. ​ 

Robert’s practice thrives on four key strengths: his extensive business background and focus on results, his hands-on leadership experience, profound knowledge in executive coaching and leadership development, and his enthusiasm for empowering leaders and managers to learn, grow, adapt, and succeed.   

Robert helped executives from various industries, including a CEO at a Big Four firm, a Managing Director at a Fortune 500 financial institution, and a President of a registered investment advisor, significantly enhance their leadership skills, resolve conflicts, and improve team dynamics. The coaching facilitated key transitions, addressed derailing behaviors, and enhanced communication, leading to increased productivity and recognition for their improved leadership styles. Robert’s executive coaching proved instrumental in driving both individual and organizational success. 

Robert is the lead author of Four Essential Ways that Coaching Can Help Executives, a best-seller from the Center for Creative Leadership. His last article, “Double Loop Coaching for Leadership Development,” appeared in the Journal of Applied Behavioral Science (JABS).