Transforming Business Culture through Leadership Coaching
Overview of the Program
Puget Sound Energy (PSE), Washington State's oldest local energy company, has been committed to leadership development through coaching for all leaders at all levels since 2003. This commitment has been key to helping the company stay ahead in the dynamic energy industry, transforming from a traditional utility company into an innovative energy provider.
Serving 1.1 million electric customers and 790,000 natural gas customers across a 6,000-square-mile area, PSE recognized the need to shift from a hierarchical, command-and-control leadership style to a more collaborative and innovative approach. In partnership with Henley Leadership Group (HLG), PSE has developed and implemented a comprehensive coaching initiative that empowers leaders to engage their full potential and drive the company's vision forward.
Coaching at PSE By the Numbers
135
Years in Business
2864
Number of Employees
13
Years PSE Leader has been offered
Coaching at All Levels: A Transformative Initiative
PSE’s coaching program, developed in collaboration with HLG, has become a hallmark of its leadership development strategy. Since 2003, over 600 leaders across the organization—from frontline supervisors to the CEO—have received six months to one year of formal leadership coaching. This program, which began with a focus on senior leadership, now offers development opportunities for leaders at every level.
The coaching initiative consists of three key phases:
Phase One: "PSE Leader: Engaging Your Full Potential" includes four full-day trainings and six individual and group coaching hours.
Phase Two: "PSE Leader II: The Power of Collaboration" is a six-month advanced leadership program for manager-level leaders and above. It includes a 2.5-day off-site retreat and six full inquiry-based training and coaching days.
Phase Three: A full year of executive coaching for all senior executives, including PSE President and CEO Kimberly Harris.
Coaching has become deeply embedded in PSE’s leadership culture, providing sustained learning and development that aligns with the company’s mission and values. Leaders are encouraged to be authentic, bold, and collaborative—traits vital to the company’s ability to adapt to change and foster innovation.
The Results
The results of this long-term coaching initiative are evident throughout PSE’s leadership and organizational culture:
600+ leaders have received coaching over the past 13 years.
61% of coached leaders have been promoted, and 10% have stayed at PSE due to the coaching experience.
In 2015, despite unprecedented challenges, PSE’s Great Place to Work survey scores showed marked improvement, reflecting the impact of coaching on employee engagement and satisfaction.
Coaching has transformed leadership practices at PSE and led to cost savings of approximately $1.8 million, as leaders retained through the coaching program avoided the costs associated with turnover.
A Culture Shift That Will Last
Coaching at PSE has become more than just a development program—it’s a key part of the company’s leadership DNA. Leaders across the organization are now more open, collaborative, and willing to take risks, driving a mindset shift from “constraints” to “opportunities.” This cultural transformation is set to continue as PSE and HLG work together to meet future challenges.
600+
Number of leaders who have received coaching
6
Minimum hours of coaching for each leader
“There’s been a change in mindset among PSE leaders. We used to operate in a world of constraints. That’s the outlook of a utility company. Now our leaders think about opportunities and possibilities and work back from there. That’s how an energy company acts.
Henley Leadership Group has been our partner in this transformation. With their support over the past 13 years, PSE leaders at all levels of the organization, from front-line supervisors to the executive suite, have learned to challenge themselves, to fight complacency, and to bring their best each and every day. I’m so grateful to Henley Leadership Group for what they’ve taught me and my leadership team.”
-Kimberly Harris, President & CEO, Puget Sound Energy