High-profile leaders, including former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, who famously called coaching his “best professional decision,” Jeff Bezos, and Bill Gates, reinforce its value. Yet, coaching styles vary dramatically—and choosing the right one can determine whether your experience is transformative or merely transactional.

Simon Sinek told us to Start with Why. He gave us a map, a clear direction: if you want to inspire action, start with purpose. But there’s something that happens before the map gets unfolded, before the team gathers, before the first meeting begins.

There’s a fire.

This article explores Spiral Dynamics, a powerful framework for understanding organizational and leadership development through evolving value systems.