Podcast Summary: Getting Things Done – Ep. 346: High Level Executive Coaching

Host: David Allen (A), GTD®
Guests: Ana Maria Gonzalez (B), Daniel Bourd (C)
Date: January 21, 2026

Overview

This episode centers on the transformative impact of high-level executive coaching using the Getting Things Done® (GTD) methodology. David Allen is joined by Ana Maria Gonzalez, master certifier and global coach trainer, and Daniel Bourd, one of the earliest certified GTD coaches. The conversation explores the personal and professional breakthroughs achieved through executive coaching, touching on the structure of the coaching process, real-world examples, and the unique challenges faced by high-performing leaders.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction of Guests and Their Roles

• Ana Maria Gonzalez shares her experience as global master certifier for GTD coaches, explaining how she’s trained over 30 coaches worldwide.

  “Even though it's remote... it's incredible the connection between the client, the coaching training, and myself... The program is so well-structured... it allows me to really have a window into that session.” (03:10)

• Daniel Bourd recounts his journey from early GTD adopter to executive coach, working across hundreds of high-level clients.

  “My worldview is totally different with GTD... This coaching is a privilege.” (01:33)

2. The Transformative Results of GTD Coaching for Executives

• Even small gains in productivity (as low as 5%) are valued highly by executives, yet the resulting reduction in stress and increase in presence are even more significant.

  “He said that he gained at least 15% of productivity with this training... but the most important part was that he was feeling less stressed, he was able to be more present...” (05:38)

• GTD helps executives not just with work but also with peace, clarity, and strategic focus in life.

3. The Value of External Perspective in Coaching

• Daniel shares his early realization that reading the GTD book didn’t make him a true practitioner—the real value appeared with direct coaching:

  “It was like a cold shower... I thought I was already a GTDer... When she started to make some notes... then I understood I wasn't using GTD at all.” (07:20)

• Personalized coaching reveals blind spots and encourages deeper adoption, leading to tangible benefits.
• The coach’s role is both to present new concepts and to learn from client’s unique adaptations.

4. Universal Uniqueness: Every Executive is Different

• David Allen notes that every coaching session is unique due to different pain points and backgrounds.

  “I literally spent thousands of hours, one on one... I'm still kind of nervous... because I don't know what I'm going to find... My primary question in coaching was: what most has your attention right now?” (12:06)

5. Small Changes, Big Impacts: Concrete Examples from Coaching

• A CEO realized the power of the GTD project list not for big strategic rituals (already in place) but for personal, “ordinary” commitments (cars, homes, family) that consumed mental space.

  “He said that the most value he got was from the small things... He could organize personal stuff, freeing up mental space.” (15:42)

• Simple habits—like consolidating notebooks for note-taking—can be life-changing for executives.

6. Extending GTD Coaching to Personal Lives and Families

• Often, after working with an executive, coaches are invited to work with their spouses—since managing personal/family commitments is as complex as professional ones.

  “They hired us for their wives... even it's an enterprise... when that's under control, they can better focus at work...” (20:07)

• The value of GTD is in bringing rigor and structure to all forms of “work”—professional and personal.

7. Stress Reduction and Presence as Core Outcomes

• Multiple participants emphasized how GTD reduces noise not only in the workplace but in the mind, aided by externalized project lists and clear next actions.

  “It wasn't the work that by nature was stressful... it was all the noise in his head... Saparoli's stress level dropped significantly after making a complete projects list of 120 items.” (22:28)

• GTD improves the capacity to be present in commitments and relationships.

8. Reframing Problems as Projects

• Coaching often involves teaching clients to turn concerns (“problems”) into actionable projects.

  “Because again, there are no problems, only projects... Just by making it a project and having control over it, it's life changing.” (24:24)

9. “Appropriate Engagement” – The Heart of GTD

• Appropriate engagement isn’t about working harder but about being comfortable and clear about what’s on your plate.

  “Most people think... I'm going to have to work harder... It’s about getting you appropriately engaged so you can relax or do what you want...” (27:08)

• Appropriate engagement means knowing the next steps, whether you can change a situation, or moving it to acceptance.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Daniel:

  “I thought I was already a GTDer... I wasn't using GTD at all. I was just scratching and using very wrongly, not having all the potential that it has to present.” (07:45)

• David:

  “My primary question in coaching was: what most has your attention right now?... For executives, meetings and email are often the biggest pains, due to volume and speed.” (12:20)

• Daniel:

  “For me, GTD is kind of a Lego. You present lots of concepts, and then the person starts to build his own construction.” (16:00)

• Ana Maria:

  “It's not the bank they run—it's their personal life. When that's under control... everything moves smoother, with less tension.” (20:10)

• David:

  “At 80 years old... I don't get to not do any of this. I still have to empty my in-basket. I still have about 40 emails to deal with... It was a long string of things I learned piece by piece.” (29:07)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Guest Introductions & Backgrounds: 00:32–04:50
• GTD Coaching Results & Case Studies: 04:50–13:40
• Personalization & Uniqueness in Coaching: 12:00–14:30
• Ordinary Commitments & Life Management: 14:30–19:58
• Family/Personal GTD Coaching: 19:58–22:28
• Stress, Presence, & Project Framing: 22:28–25:12
• Appropriate Engagement & Final Thoughts: 25:12–30:24

Tone

The conversation is reflective, insightful, and warm, with a genuine sense of mutual respect and encouragement among the coaches. Stories are told candidly, often with humor or humility, and the discussion remains practical throughout.

Closing Remarks

• Ana Maria:

  “If you're thinking about it, go for it. GTD coaching is the most effective way to install and implement getting things done and change your life.” (28:00)

• Daniel:

  “After more than 15 years coaching... I continue to see every week the impact of this method... It's a privilege to work with this.” (28:16)

• David:

  “I still have to do everything that we teach... You know, it was a long string of things that I learned piece by piece.” (29:07)

For anyone curious about the practical, transformational impact of GTD coaching—personally or professionally—this episode offers deep insight and motivating, real-world stories.