What if true leadership wasn’t just about reaching targets but about transforming from within? This is the philosophy that drives Anastasios Kotzias, Executive Holistic Coach (ICF PCC), President of the ICF Doha Chapter, and Middle East Ambassador for the ICF Foundation. With decades of experience in business development across the globe, Anastasios has seen firsthand that even the most accomplished leaders can feel disconnected, burnt out, and unfulfilled. Through his groundbreaking HEART© methodology, he empowers C-level, HR, and L&D executives to realign with their purpose, cultivate resilience, and lead with authenticity.
In our exclusive MG interview, Anastasios opens up about his journey from corporate success to holistic coaching, the universal challenges leaders face today, and why emotional intelligence is no longer optional – it’s essential. We also step beyond the boardroom to learn about the passions that keep him grounded, from cold-water swims to Shaolin monastery training, and his powerful vision for the future of leadership and coaching.
Can you share what initially inspired you to become an Executive Holistic Coach, and how did your career evolve to this point?
What inspired me was witnessing how often high-performing individuals – executives, entrepreneurs, changemakers – were successful on the outside but deeply disconnected on the inside. I’ve worked in business development for years, across countries and industries, and I kept noticing the same pattern: people were exhausted, uninspired, and stuck in roles that no longer aligned with who they were becoming. Coaching was the natural next step. It allowed me to offer support beyond strategy – to hold space for transformation. That’s how the HEART© methodology was born. It’s the result of real-world leadership challenges and a personal calling to help others redefine success.
You have a wealth of experience in business development and entrepreneurship across multiple countries. How has this diverse background influenced your coaching methodology?
Living and working across cultures has taught me one key truth: leadership is personal before it is professional. Every culture, every team, every market offers a different perspective, and yet, the internal struggles of leadership remain surprisingly universal. My experiences helped me see how important it is to tailor coaching to the individual -not just their role, but their identity, values, and context. That’s why HEART© is adaptable, inclusive, and built for real transformation.
Your HEART© Coaching Methodology emphasises holistic growth. Can you break down each component and explain how it helps leaders achieve personal and professional breakthroughs?
Absolutely. HEART© stands for:
H – Holistic
E – Empowerment
A – Acceptance
R – Resilience
T – Transformation
Leading by HEART© provides an amazing coaching journey for Executives:
They start with acquiring and embodying a holistic approach, personally and professionally, which in turn empowers their self-awareness and supports them every day to push further and grow. They achieve that through a tridimensional acceptance: firstly, who they are; secondly, accepting the others around them; and thirdly, receiving recognition and acceptance from others for who they truly are. The combination of their holistic awareness, self-empowerment, and 360-degree acceptance fuels their resilience, as they learn how to adopt a growth mindset and overcome any challenge life throws their way. So, when they look at their new self compared to where they began, they see the unique self-transformation they have achieved.
Each part of HEART© is essential, but together, they act as a blueprint for living and leading with intention!
As someone who works with C-level, HR, and L&D executives, what are the most common challenges your clients face, and how do you help them overcome these obstacles?
The most common challenges? Burnout, decision fatigue, and a growing sense of disconnection. Many leaders today are juggling roles that require constant adaptability while also feeling alone in their responsibility. My role is to remind them they don’t have to do it all alone. Through coaching, we slow down, gain perspective, and reconnect with what truly matters to them – not just professionally, but personally. From there, strategy becomes clearer, and leadership becomes more grounded.
How do you incorporate emotional intelligence into your coaching sessions?
Emotional intelligence isn’t a soft skill; it’s a leadership superpower! I create a space where clients can safely reflect on how they show up, how they react under pressure, and how they relate to others. Once we build that awareness, we work on strengthening empathy, communication, and self-regulation. These should not be considered just interpersonal skills; they’re foundational to earning trust and making leadership decisions.
What advice would you give to leaders who are struggling to achieve work-life integration while maintaining high performance in their roles?
Pause. Ask yourself: Is the life I am building supporting the person I want to become? Work-life integration should not be considered a struggle between balancing two opposing forces; it is about designing a rhythm that sustains you. High performance is only possible when it’s fuelled by clarity, energy, and meaning. My advice? Redefine success on your own terms and create boundaries that protect your well-being.
As the President of the ICF Doha Chapter and the Middle East Ambassador for the ICF Foundation, what do you see as the future of coaching in the region?
We are witnessing a shift in leadership across the Middle East, one that embraces empathy, purpose, and sustainable growth. Coaching may play a powerful role in that shift. I see the future of coaching in the region as deeply integrated into business strategy, human capital development, and social impact. Some organisations still consider it a luxury or do not fully understand the impact of coaching; however, it is a necessity for organisations that want to thrive with vision and integrity.
How can leaders effectively build emotional resilience to better handle stress and uncertainty in their professional lives?
Resilience begins with self-awareness and a holistic approach to life. When leaders acknowledge their stress without judgment, they create space to respond instead of reacting. During my coaching sessions, I guide them through practices that build internal stability, such as mindfulness, reflection, and perspective-taking. Over time, resilience becomes less about “toughing it out” and more about inner strength, flexibility, and presence.
Can you explain how work-life integration plays a role in your coaching philosophy, and why it’s essential for leadership success?
Work-life integration is a cornerstone of my philosophy because leadership isn’t something you turn on and off. You bring your whole self into every room – your beliefs, emotions, and energy. When you’re out of sync, it shows. Integration means leading a life where your choices in work and life support your long-term fulfilment. That’s what creates authentic, sustainable leadership.
What are the key factors that make your coaching approach stand out from others in the industry?
It’s deeply human. I don’t coach titles and roles, I coach people. My HEART© methodology is rooted in science, experience, and empathy. I integrate practical psychology, systems thinking, and lived experience to create results that go beyond performance metrics. This approach doesn’t just shift what you do, it transforms who you are and how you live.
Can you describe a particularly rewarding experience where your coaching led to a significant transformation for one of your clients?
One of the most moving moments was with a CEO who came to me on the edge of burnout, questioning everything about his role and impact. Through our sessions, he managed to reconnect with his deeper purpose, reshaped his leadership style, and rebuilt trust within his team. A year later, not only was his business thriving, but so was his personal life. That’s the power of aligned transformation.
How do you tailor your coaching strategies to accommodate different cultural dynamics, especially when working with executives from diverse backgrounds?
Respect and curiosity. Every culture carries unique values and unspoken rules. I approach each client as the expert of their own context, asking questions that help us unpack assumptions and expectations. My role is not to impose, but to listen and co-create strategies that are both culturally sensitive and personally meaningful.
What is the biggest leadership challenge in today’s fast-paced, globalised business environment, and how can leaders best address it?
Staying grounded. With constant change, digital noise, and global pressure, it’s easy to lose yourself in the momentum. Leaders today must cultivate inner clarity to lead with outer impact and relevance. That’s why coaching is more important than ever, it helps leaders stay human in a world that often demands the opposite.
What advice would you give to emerging leaders who are looking to grow both personally and professionally in a balanced and holistic way?
Start with who you are and your reason why. Not just what you want to achieve, but why it matters. Invest in your inner development; read, reflect, find mentors, and stay curious. The world doesn’t need more perfect leaders. It needs self-aware, courageous ones who are willing to grow out loud.
Looking ahead, what are your goals for the future of your coaching practice, and how do you envision the evolution of executive coaching in the coming years?
I want to see coaching embedded in the DNA of leadership, not just as a tool for the few, but a mindset for the many. My goal is to expand the HEART© Coaching methodology globally and support more organisations in building people-first cultures. Executive coaching is evolving into a vital leadership partnership, and I’m here for that evolution.
Besides your work, what are some hobbies or interests that you’re truly passionate about?
A morning cold swim is one of my favourites. I find peace but also excitement in swimming, especially in cold water season, short or long swim with no agenda, just presence. I’m also drawn to books that challenge me to think differently, and I have a soft spot for music that speaks to the soul.
What’s one travel destination on your bucket list that’s not typically found in travel guides, and what intrigues you about it?
I am grateful so far to have experienced a lot of places, from a Shaolin monastery in West China, training with the monks, to 6* star Hotels in busy capital cities. Three travel destinations still seem to mean something to me… exploring central Africa, Central America and in a few years having the chance to travel outside planet Earth. (I had applied for Virgin Galactic’s first space travel actually, but did not get lucky!)
Do you have any hidden talents or artistic pursuits that you enjoy?
I cannot say I have any hidden talents, or at least I have not discovered them yet! Japanese drums always fascinated me and I now have an authentic Japanese Taiko Drum at home, giving some hard time to my family, when I play!
What’s a surprising or unusual fact about you that people might not expect, something that doesn’t typically come up in your professional bio or interviews?
I started my Kung-Fu Journey in 2016 in Doha and in 2019, 48 years old, I decided to visit this Shaolin Monks Monastery in Yunnan, West China and train with them for almost a month. 10 hours of training per day… exhausted but happy and fulfilled – the best decision in my life!
We often hear about your professional achievements, but can you share a personal achievement or moment in your life that you’re particularly proud of?
Sure, as best personal “achievements” although I do not consider them achievements, since they seem very natural to me, I would highlight being with my wife and partner in life for almost 40 years already, since 15 years old, having a beautiful family of two children, our biological son and our adopted daughter from Ethiopia and manage to keep warm relationships with all my real friends from Greece, although living in Qatar for over 12 years now.
Outside of your professional roles, what’s something you’ve always wanted to learn or try but haven’t had the opportunity to explore yet?
Chinese language. If I had stayed in China, back in 1995, following my International MBA program, I would now be fluent. But it is still in my medium-term plan to learn Mandarin, maybe around 60-year-old, when I would hopefully have more time and would travel again to train Kung-Fu with the Shaolin monks!
If you could have a one-hour conversation with any fictional character, who would it be, and what burning question would you ask them?
I’d love to speak with Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird. I’d ask him how he stayed so anchored in his integrity when the world around him was in chaos. That kind of quiet courage fascinates me.
What was your dream job as a child?
Believe it or not, I wanted to be a motorcycle Police officer, I was influenced by the American TV series, CHiPs, back in 1980!
I actually had the chance to obtain the motorcycle license, during my military service being an Airport Police Officer and I did not pursue this, do not ask me why…
One habit that changed your life?
Meditation and positive affirmations, almost every morning. Just 15 minutes clear my mind, anchor my thoughts, adjust my feelings and plan my day!
What is your life motto?
“Look inside”. It is a simple reminder that the answers we seek are usually already inside us, we just need the space to hear them and the courage to trust them.
What’s a memorable visual from your childhood or past that continues to hold significance in your life today?
Great question, although not many memories stand out during my childhood, most of them are around my dedicated swimming years, since the age of 5, which filled me with unique moments of commitment, effort, laughter, crying and achievement,
If you had to sum up your life philosophy or a guiding principle in just one sentence, what would it be?
Live with intention, lead with heart, and leave space for grace.
Finally, if you were to write a personal letter to your younger self, what advice would you offer?
Dear younger me,
You are the master of your life, but you don’t have to carry it all alone. Ask for help, but also trust your voice, even when it trembles. Travel and taste life’s different angles. Explore and grow. Do not leave things for the future, you may regret it. Choose happiness, choose gratefulness, and you will enjoy greatness.
Our interview with Tassos is reminder of why we do what we do at Manning Global – building meaningful, positive relationships that lead to mutual success. If you’re looking to collaborate or want to learn more, we’d love to hear from you!
