Leadership Training | In-House Coaching | Leadership Development I Change Management

Executive Coaching & Leadership Training for Organisations

Leadership today requires more than professional expertise. It requires the ability to provide orientation in complex situations, foster meaningful collaboration and enable sound decisions that people can stand behind. In times of AI work & leadership concepts changed how we need to combine the use of AI and the human factor in the form of dialogue.

I support leaders and teams when familiar approaches no longer seem sufficient – when complexity increases, tensions become visible and new ways of working together are required.

My executive coaching combines personal reflection with practical leadership development. It helps leaders remain clear, act with confidence and create the conditions for effective collaboration, even in challenging situations.

Rethinking Leadership – From the Inside Out

Leadership does not begin with methods. It begins with awareness.

The ability to recognise what a situation truly requires, to navigate complexity and to remain grounded when uncertainty increases has become one of the defining leadership capabilities of our time.

In organisations undergoing change, leadership is no longer only about directing and deciding. It is about creating orientation, enabling collaboration and shaping conditions in which people can contribute their best.

This is why my approach to leadership development starts with the connection between inner clarity and practical leadership effectiveness.

A new leadership culture emerges when leaders are willing to reflect on and evolve their own thinking, behaviour and assumptions.

Developing Leaders Who Truly Lead

Executive coaching is far more than acquiring new management tools.

It is about supporting leaders to remain effective in complex situations, making sound decisions and creating environments characterised by trust, accountability and meaningful collaboration.

Concepts such as psychological safety, participatory leadership and collaborative decision-making are not additional programmes or management trends. They are essential ingredients of organisations that want to remain innovative, adaptable and resilient.

Modern leadership combines clarity with participation, direction with openness and responsibility with shared ownership.

In-House Training & Leadership Development Programmes

Alongside individual executive coaching, I design and deliver bespoke in-house leadership programmes, workshops and development formats for leadership teams.

These programmes connect leadership development with the real challenges organisations face every day. They create practical learning experiences that strengthen leadership capability and support sustainable organisational development.

Communication & Leadership Conversations

Leadership becomes visible through communication.

In communication and leadership conversation training, leaders develop the ability to communicate with clarity, presence and authenticity – particularly in demanding situations where trust and alignment matter most.

Strategy Workshops & Leadership Retreats

I facilitate strategy workshops, annual retreats and planning sessions that help leadership teams create shared orientation, develop common goals and make decisions that are both practical and sustainable.

Change Management & Transformation

Periods of change place particular demands on leaders.

I support organisations and leadership teams in shaping transformation processes proactively, helping people move through uncertainty while maintaining focus, engagement and commitment. I emphatically guide through challenging situations like budget cuts or restructuring.

Agile Leadership Training & New Leadership Culture

Contemporary leadership requires new capabilities.

Topics such as self-organisation, agile leadership, distributed responsibility and collaborative ways of working are becoming increasingly important in organisations that seek to thrive in a rapidly changing environment.

Who Are These Corporate Training Programmes For?

My coaching and leadership development programmes are designed for:

• Leaders at all levels, from first-time managers to senior executives

• HR and People Development professionals

• Teams navigating change and transformation

• Organisations seeking to strengthen and evolve their leadership culture

How We Work Together

Every coaching engagement, leadership programme and organisational development process is designed around the specific context of the organisation.

The process begins with a thorough exploration of the situation, objectives and key questions that need to be addressed.

Based on this understanding, a tailored design is created that reflects both the organisational context and the people involved.

The collaboration typically includes:

• An initial conversation to clarify goals, expectations, context and follow-up

• The development of a customised coaching or training design

• Delivery in-person, online or in hybrid formats

• Follow-up support to ensure sustainable implementation and integration. 80 % of innovation ideas fail here, because the follow-up, including implementation and transfer to the everyday business, has not been planned. You will not suffer this with Ursula Hillbrand as the co-lead.

Executive Coaching Meets Art of Hosting

A distinctive aspect of my work is the integration of executive coaching and organisational development with the principles and practices of Art of Hosting.

This approach creates conditions in which participation becomes meaningful, responsibility is shared and collective intelligence can emerge.

Rather than relying solely on externally imposed solutions, organisations develop their own answers from within the system itself.

Learn to Lead Participatively – The Salonhosting Academy

Organisations can work with me directly through coaching, leadership development programmes and corporate training initiatives.

At the same time, leaders can deepen their own facilitation and leadership capabilities by learning participatory methods and dialogue-based approaches through the Salonhosting Academy.

Explore the Salonhosting Academy

References & Client Voices

My work draws on many years of experience across international organisations, the public sector and businesses throughout the German-speaking world.

By combining executive coaching, leadership development, organisational transformation and participatory process design, I support organisations in addressing complex challenges and creating sustainable change.

This approach has proven effective in a wide variety of contexts – from small leadership teams to large-scale transformation processes involving multiple stakeholders.

Marjut Falkstedt

former Secretary General of the European Investment Bank

“We asked Ursula Hillbrand to help us work with the different leadership concepts in our management teams including executives. Her diplomatic way of working accepts different styles and cultures elegantly, and still she smartly invites everyone in the room to create a shared purpose, which she was able to hold for us from the background in a sustainable way through a longer process. We also have a great experience of an away day she designed and facilitated for my staff. She has a great talent to work with the non-manifested potential of a group and make it visible.”

Philipp Heilmaier

(former) General Director at German Energy Agency | Energy Transition Policies and Political Economy

“The Art of Hosting training has indeed provided us with excellent support in many areas – especially regarding the department’s self-organisation – and continues to do so.”

All Testimonials

Let us explore together how coaching, leadership development and participatory approaches can support your organisation’s next stage of growth and transformation.

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FAQs

What defines effective leadership today?

Effective leadership today goes far beyond planning, directing and controlling. Leaders are expected to provide orientation in complex environments, build trust and create the conditions for meaningful collaboration. This requires both clarity in decision-making and the ability to engage diverse perspectives while fostering shared responsibility.

What is included in leadership development?

Leadership development includes personal reflection, communication skills, decision-making, navigating complexity, team development and the ability to shape effective collaboration. In addition to traditional leadership competencies, topics such as presence, psychological safety, participatory leadership and leadership culture are becoming increasingly important.

What is the difference between executive coaching and leadership training?

Executive coaching is typically individual and focuses on specific situations, decisions, leadership challenges or role-related questions. Leadership training works with groups and provides shared frameworks, practices and perspectives for effective leadership. Depending on the context, both approaches can complement one another.

How does an in-house leadership programme work?

The process begins with a conversation to clarify goals, context and expectations. Based on this, a customised programme is designed to meet the specific needs of the organisation and participants. Delivery can take place in person, online or in hybrid formats and may be complemented by coaching and follow-up support.

Can coaching and training be delivered online?

Yes. Executive coaching, team coaching and leadership development programmes can be delivered in person, online or in hybrid formats. For international teams and busy leaders, online formats often offer a highly effective and flexible solution.

How long does an executive coaching process typically last?

The duration depends on the goals and context. Sometimes a few focused sessions are sufficient to address a specific challenge or decision. In other situations, a longer-term coaching relationship is beneficial, particularly during leadership transitions, organisational change processes or cultural transformation initiatives.

What distinguishes participatory leadership from traditional management?

Traditional management often focuses on planning, directing and controlling. Participatory leadership goes further by creating environments in which people contribute their perspectives, take responsibility and collaborate on meaningful solutions. It is not about less leadership, but about a different quality of leadership – one that combines clarity, presence and trust in the collective intelligence of the system.

Contact us

Mag. Ursula Hillbrand

Executive Coaching & Leadership Training for Organisations

Rethinking Leadership – From the Inside Out

Developing Leaders Who Truly Lead