ESMT Coaching Colloquium

The ESMT Coaching Colloquium brings together experienced coaches, academics, and leadership professionals to explore real-world coaching challenges through case-based discussion.

From despair to hope: Holding leaders, enabling organizations

December 11–12, 2026
ESMT Berlin

The 16th ESMT Coaching Colloquium invites experienced coaches, coaching educators, academics, and leadership development professionals to reflect on complex coaching situations.

The theme "From despair to hope" focuses on coaching engagements involving intractable leadership challenges, career shocks, and intertwined personal and professional dilemmas.

As in previous editions, the colloquium centers on the experience of the coach. Contributions are expected to reflect on situations in which coaches encounter complexity, uncertainty, or ethical challenges. The emphasis is on critical reflection rather than idealized accounts.

Call for papers

Participants are invited to submit case-based contributions reflecting on their coaching practice.

Submissions should address situations in which the coach faced unexpected challenges, dilemmas, or tensions during an engagement, and provide insight into the learning derived from these experiences.

Submission of a case implies agreement to include the contribution in the Colloquium Proceedings, which will be made available to all participants.

Authors are responsible for ensuring the protection of client identity.

By participating in the colloquium, attendees agree to maintain the confidentiality of all discussions. Any use of presented materials beyond the event requires prior permission from the respective authors.

Important deadlines

Submission deadline: August 3, 2026
Notification of acceptance / revisions / rejection: September 21, 2026
Revised submission (if required): October 18, 2026

Submission guidelines

Participation as a contributor requires the submission of a case. The submission template can be downloaded here.

To participate, please submit a paper consisting of two parts:

Case description (up to 2,500 words):

Description of the coaching context and core challenge
Key questions, dilemmas, or emotional responses
Sufficient detail for discussion while ensuring anonymity

Steps taken and learning reflections (up to 2,000 words):

Approach taken and outcomes achieved
Aspects that could or could not be addressed
Remaining questions and impact on practice
Key insights relevant to other practitioners

Formatting requirements

Submissions must follow the ESMT template and formatting requirements.

As proceedings will be prepared in advance of the event, adherence to these requirements is essential. Revisions may be requested if submissions do not meet the specified standards.