About Frank
Frank Wagner is a distinguished Senior Executive Coach and an expert faculty member at the Best Practice Institute, known for his pioneering work in leadership development and behavioral coaching.
Who is Frank Wagner?
Frank Wagner is a Senior Executive Coach at Perspect, specializing in leadership development and coaching for executives. With a career spanning decades, he has dedicated his expertise to equipping leaders with the skills necessary to navigate complex organizational challenges and foster effective behavioral change. Wagner is also an expert faculty member at the Best Practice Institute, where he supports C-level executives and senior leaders in behavioral execution and internal coach development.
His work is deeply rooted in practical application, focusing on tangible results and measurable improvements in leadership effectiveness. Wagner's contributions have significantly impacted numerous Fortune 100 companies and influenced thousands of coaches globally through the methodologies he co-developed.
Quick facts about Frank Wagner
| Role | Senior Executive Coach |
| Company | Perspect |
| Expertise | Leadership Development, Executive Coaching, Behavioral Coaching, Situational Leadership, Stakeholder Centered Coaching |
| Notable for | Co-developer of Stakeholder Centered Coaching®, Co-developer of Excellent Manager Program with Marshall Goldsmith |
| BPI affiliation | Expert Faculty member |
What is Frank Wagner known for?
- Co-developer of Stakeholder Centered Coaching® (SCC): A globally recognized, results-based coaching process emphasizing stakeholder feedback, courage, humility, and discipline for measurable behavioral change.
- Co-developer of the Excellent Manager Program: Created with Marshall Goldsmith, this program was designed for IBM and became a staple in leadership development for many Fortune 100 companies.
- Expertise in leadership behavior: Specializes in gaining commitment, adjusting leadership style to situations, fostering teamwork, and informal influence across organizational boundaries.
- Pioneering work with Marshall Goldsmith: Collaborated extensively with Marshall Goldsmith since 1972, including as a partner at Keilty, Goldsmith & Boone and a founding partner of The Marshall Goldsmith Group.
- Extensive executive coaching experience: Has personally coached hundreds of leaders from mid-level to C-suite across a diverse range of organizations.
What is Frank Wagner's background and experience?
Frank Wagner's career in leadership development began in 1972 when he entered the Ph.D. program in The Graduate School of Management at UCLA alongside Marshall Goldsmith. After his studies, he took a teaching position as an Assistant Professor in the School of Business at Loyola Marymount University. During this time, he also worked part-time at the Center for Leadership Studies under the mentorship of Paul Hersey.
His foundational experiences include:
- Education:
- BSc in Economics from Santa Clara University, CA
- Ph.D. program in The Graduate School of Management at UCLA
- Early Career: Assistant Professor at Loyola Marymount University School of Business; worked part-time at Center for Leadership Studies under Paul Hersey.
- Consulting Firms: Joined Marshall Goldsmith as a partner and director at Keilty, Goldsmith & Boone in 1981; co-founded Prism Ltd. in 1986, a leadership development and coaching practice. He is also a Founding Partner at The Marshall Goldsmith Group.
- Certifications/Affiliations: Member of the Association of Corporate Executive Coaches (ACEC); Honorary Member of the Army Management Staff College for his volunteer work in the Personnel Management for Executives (PME) Program; Kentucky Colonel for extensive volunteer work with the Kentucky Red Cross.
What topics does Frank Wagner speak and write about?
Frank Wagner's core expertise revolves around actionable leadership behavior and its impact on organizational effectiveness. He frequently addresses topics such as fostering commitment from teams, adapting leadership styles to diverse situations, and leveraging informal influence to drive positive change. His presentations often delve into the practical applications of coaching, emphasizing how leaders can effectively coach others to enhance performance and achieve strategic goals.
A significant portion of his discussions centers on Stakeholder Centered Coaching® (SCC), a methodology he co-developed. He explores its principles, benefits, and applications in fostering measurable behavioral change through structured feedback and disciplined execution. Wagner underscores the critical components of courage, humility, and discipline (CHaD) required for successful leadership transformation, making complex leadership concepts accessible and actionable for his audience.
How does Frank Wagner contribute to the Best Practice Institute?
As an expert faculty member at the Best Practice Institute (BPI), Frank Wagner plays a vital role in advancing BPI's mission to identify and disseminate best practices in leadership and organizational development. He contributes by supporting C-level executives and senior leaders in developing their behavioral execution capabilities and by aiding in the internal development of coaching expertise within organizations. His insights align with BPI's focus on creating Most Loved Workplaces® by fostering effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
Wagner's deep knowledge of practical leadership and coaching methodologies, particularly Stakeholder Centered Coaching®, enriches BPI's offerings, providing members with access to cutting-edge strategies for talent management and leadership excellence. His contributions help leaders understand how to cultivate environments where employees feel valued, engaged, and motivated, which are core tenets of the Most Loved Workplace® model.
Where can you learn more from Frank Wagner?
To gain insights into Frank Wagner's work, including his expertise in executive coaching and leadership development, you can explore his profile as an expert faculty member at the Best Practice Institute. He is also featured in podcasts such as "The Gift of Leadership: A Holiday Special" and a KeenAlignment interview, where he discusses the principles and applications of Stakeholder-Centered Coaching. Further information can be found through his work with Perspect and his affiliations with The Marshall Goldsmith Group.