Coach Interview with Dieter Wunderlich
March 29, 2021
Dieter Wunderlich is an Ambassador and Leadership Coach at CoachHub with a 17-year career in international leadership. After completing a hotel management apprenticeship, he studied business administration with a focus on sustainability. He later joined a management consultancy, where he spent 11 formative years. Eventually, Dieter made the leap into the corporate world, joining ALDI SÜD as Director of Corporate Responsibility International. For five impactful years, he worked to shape the retail giant's sustainability strategy.
Today, Dieter runs his own business as a strengths and leadership coach. At 49 years old, he is a proud father and grew up in a café, surrounded by the scent of coffee and vibrant conversation. If he had to sum up his journey and coaching vision in one word, it would be: confidence.
Why Did You Decide to Become a Coach?
CoachHub: Why did you decide to become a coach, and how did you become one?
Dieter: The “why” has several reasons. In my early 40s, although I had a meaningful job and great income, I felt something was missing. I wanted to improve the world — to make it more sustainable, beautiful, and peaceful. But it started to feel like I was forcing people to be happy, and that didn't sit right with me.
Eventually, I realized I wasn't the source of all wisdom — but I could help others rediscover their own. That was my transition from consultant to coach.
The “how”? Like most of life — messy, adventurous, full of loss and insight, and not what I originally planned. Ask me again sometime when we have more space to talk.
What Coaching Methods and Techniques Do You Use?
I’m a certified Co-Active Coach, and that means less about techniques and more about mindset. One key belief is that every coachee is whole and resourceful — they already have what they need inside.
I also use CliftonStrengths by Gallup, having been certified as a Strengths Coach. It helps uncover talents, strengths, needs, and even perception filters — all useful for self-awareness and growth.
What Makes Your Coaching Special?
Let me begin with what I’m not: I’m not a “repair” coach. I don’t fix people. I won’t usually give you advice — instead, I’ll help you come to your own insights.
What I am is a discovery and activation coach. I don’t try to help the “ugly duckling” act more like a duck — I help them ask, “Am I actually a swan?” And if so, how can I grow into that?
Becoming more of who you truly are is central to my work. My trademark is helping people discover and embrace their strengths.
What Is Your Personal Coaching Approach?
I call it the "strengths glasses". I focus attention on what works: what’s good, true, alive, and strong.
I believe growth starts at the oasis, not in the desert. You grow best when rooted in what already exists within you. From there, anything can be faced — and faced authentically.
A Personal Practice You Use Every Day
One of the biggest challenges is remembering who we really are — our "swan-ness".
Each morning, I ask myself:
"How do I want to be today? What can I do to make this day happy and successful for me?"
I reflect on my calendar, set an intention, and at the end of the day, I check in with myself. Then I reorient and take off again.
What Makes a Good Coach?
A good coach helps the coachee feel that coaching is helpful. Ideally, the coachee sees positive changes in their thinking, feeling, or actions.
Good training, ongoing education, and self-coaching are essential. While success can’t be guaranteed, we can consistently work to increase its likelihood.
What Skills Make a Good Leader Today?
I’d say human maturity — not related to age, but to self-awareness.
Who you are is how you lead. If you don’t know yourself, you're like a ship without a keel.
A good leader balances two different roles:
- Manager: Orchestrates individual strengths like a conductor
- Leader: Focuses on common human needs — security, belonging, meaning, clarity, and confidence
Understanding both roles is key to impactful leadership.
How Can Coaching Help Overcome Blockages?
Blockages are situations where people see no way forward. Coaching helps by enabling a shift in attitude (being) and action (doing) that feels right.
We often talk about the two modes our brain can operate in:
- Self-sabotage mode
- The mode of the wise
The goal of coaching is to help someone shift into that wiser state — where the brain performs best, and the right solutions become visible.
How Do You Know Coaching Is Successful?
There are three main indicators:
- The coachee is satisfied with the experience.
- They return for more sessions.
- They refer others.
But most importantly, we define success together from the start, and continue to revisit it throughout the coaching relationship.
Thoughts on Digital Coaching
Becoming an international coach was always a dream. My coaching training was global from day one — with peers and mentors from across the world.
The move from phone to video coaching (via CoachHub) was natural. I already knew strong relationships can be built remotely. Digital coaching reduces travel and time costs, making it more accessible — and that’s a major win.
What Are the Benefits of CoachHub?
At CoachHub, I immediately felt trust and alignment. CoachHub helps solve a key challenge: matching the right coach with the right coachee — often more effectively than traditional searches.
What Trends Do You See in Coaching?
While I don’t run studies, I observe a few things:
- Coaching continues to grow in demand
- More companies are offering it to employees as a standard benefit
- Mental health has become more central since COVID-19
- People are asking deeper questions, like: “What’s really important in life?”
I believe we’re building a new normal — not just returning to the old one.
Any Final Words?
A heartfelt thank you to Melina Rüger and Christina Vasiliadis from the Coach Relations team, and to Matti and Yannis for their leadership and vision. I’m grateful to be a CoachHub Ambassador and to support CoachHub4Good — helping changemakers grow and lead with purpose.
Here’s to continued success, growth, and keeping the mission of democratizing coaching in clear view.
FAQ
At CoachHub, we believe in the power of aligning individual growth with organisational objectives. Our dedicated coaches work closely with coachees to ensure that their growth plans are directly linked to your company's overarching goals. This includes addressing specific leadership development needs within different departments or teams, and recognising that each area may have unique challenges and requirements.
To achieve this alignment, we collaborate closely with our clients and their senior leaders, taking the time to understand their organisation's specific challenges, objectives, and organisational culture well. By gaining deep insights into your company's dynamics, we can tailor coaching plans that address the specific needs of different teams and individuals.
Our approach is highly customised and adaptable. We recognise that each coachee has unique requirements, and we leverage our expertise to develop coaching plans that are relevant and effective for all participants, regardless of their role or level within the organisation. Whether it's helping to develop leaders, retain talent, improve leadership skills of middle management, or support C-suite executives, our coaching programs are designed to cater to diverse needs and ensure maximum impact.
By aligning growth plans with your company's objectives, we create a cohesive approach that enhances overall organisational success. Our coaches help coachees identify areas for improvement, set meaningful goals, and develop actionable strategies to bridge the gap between their current competencies and the desired leadership abilities. This alignment not only facilitates personal and professional growth but also contributes to the long-term success of your organisation.
With CoachHub, you can be confident that our coaching programs are tailored to address the specific leadership development efforts within your organisation. By collaborating closely with our clients, we ensure that our coaching plans are relevant, effective, and aligned with your company's objectives, driving growth and excellence across all departments and levels.
At CoachHub, we understand the importance of scalability when it comes to your leadership development program. That's why our programs are thoughtfully designed to accommodate a large number of participants simultaneously, ensuring that organisations of all sizes can benefit from our services. Whether you have a small team or a global workforce, our coaching platform is equipped to handle the scale.
With our advanced digital coaching platform, we bring high-quality coaching directly to employees all over the world. The beauty of our online sessions is that participants can access them from anywhere, at any time. This flexibility empowers employees to engage in coaching without geographical constraints or time zone limitations. Whether they're working from home, travelling for business, or stationed in a different country, our platform ensures that they can easily connect with their coach and participate in sessions at their convenience.
The digital nature of our coaching platform also means that participants can enjoy a consistent and seamless coaching experience, regardless of their location. Through video calls, instant messaging, and other interactive tools, our platform fosters a sense of connection and engagement between the coaches and participants. This virtual environment not only saves time and resources but also allows for regular and ongoing coaching support without the need for in-person meetings.
By leveraging the power of technology, our scalable coaching programs break down barriers and provide accessible coaching solutions to organisations and individuals around the globe. Whether it's a small team or a multinational corporation, our platform ensures that every participant can benefit from high-quality coaching, anytime and anywhere.
Absolutely! CoachHub's leadership development program is designed to seamlessly integrate with your existing talent development and performance management initiatives. We understand that every company has its own unique needs and goals, and that's why our coaching sessions are completely tailored to meet those requirements. Whether you're looking to strengthen leadership skills, foster personal growth, or achieve organisational success, our program aligns perfectly with your company's specific objectives.
By customising our coaching sessions, we ensure that each individual receives the guidance and support they need to thrive. We take the time to understand their strengths, challenges, and aspirations, and then craft a coaching experience that caters to their personal growth journey. This way, we can provide targeted development opportunities that directly contribute to their success within your organisation.
When you integrate our program with your leadership development efforts and performance management initiatives, you create a powerful synergy. Our tailored approach complements and reinforces your existing efforts, allowing you to build a comprehensive framework for maximising the potential of your workforce. Together, we can create an environment where employees are motivated, empowered, and equipped with the skills they need to excel.
So, rest assured that with CoachHub's leadership development program, you can easily integrate coaching into your existing initiatives and achieve remarkable results that align with your company's requirements.
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