When someone in our circle passes away, it causes us to pause and reflect. Recently one of my mentors passed away and his closest colleagues invited a group of us to come together.

Am I better off from having known Chris Coffey? This is the question that Marshall posed as he offered his thoughts at Chris’ memorial recently.

While I have known Chris for a shorter period than many in the coach’s community, I nonetheless feel enormous gratitude for the indelible mark he has left on me and my work with leaders.

Over a hundred coaches gathered recently from around the world to remember and celebrate Chris. We each reflected on our gratitude for Chris and the lessons we have learned.

I am grateful that I was able to train with and learn from Chris. And I will be forever thankful for what became a 3-hour call, on a Friday afternoon, in response to a question I had after the coaches’ certification training. Chris provided me with advice, guidance, and memorable stories!

I remember getting off of that call and feeling like I had just received a magical gift from a true master. He shared with such generosity and wisdom!

As colleagues recently shared stories about Chris’ life and work, I was struck by the immense impact Chris has made, and that which he will continue to make through others.

So many lives are improved for the better because of Chris!!

Each leader who decides to improve, and chooses to work with a coach and their closest stakeholders to make meaningful, visible changes in their leadership, improves the lives of many! Their improvements create a ripple effect – on those who work with them, on those within and across their organizations (and often to their customers too).

For some leaders, their changes through stakeholder centered coaching affect their lives well beyond work, within their personal relationships and family life.

And Chris’ ripple effect is magnificently amplified by the profound impact he has made on 100’s of coaches around the world.

His legacy lives on in all of those who are better off!

Chris signed his emails:

Learn as if you will live forever.
Live as if you will die tomorrow
Be happy now!

I am grateful for Chris and this worldwide community of unique coaches who serve with deeply ingrained core values.

Thank you to the Stakeholder Centered community of coaches who inspire, and challenge, and support my continual growth and learning.

Thank you to the leaders with whom I have the honor of working who have the courage, humility, and discipline to improve their effectiveness as leaders, despite the successes that have gotten them this far.

And thank you to Chris for sharing your passion, wisdom, and skillfulness with me and the entire community of stakeholder centered coaches. Your impact lives on in all whose lives are better off!

I am grateful to count myself as one of them.