At Goodness, we coach to empower clients to overcome challenges, establish sustainable practices, and confidently lead. Our purpose:

  • To help those who help others.

  • To help those improving themselves.

  • Support change to impact the world: yours and ours.

What We Do

Our tailored, one-on-one coaching aligns purpose and action with curiosity, self-reflection, and a growth mindset. We partner with you to surpass your goals and step boldly into the future you’ve envisioned.

Leaders become approachable and genuine when acknowledging and cultivating their interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.

We bring tools to thrive and connect more authentically.

  • Communication Mastery: Developing presence and influence, inspiring action within teams and organizations.

  • Team Coaching: Facilitating collaboration and improving performance for cross-functional teams. We help teams build trust, alignment, and accountability to achieve shared goals.

Goodness meets you where you are and supports you where you want to be, enhancing your effectiveness.

We focus on being rather than doing and developing self-mastery by aligning actions with beliefs.

Curiosity is the bedrock of a growth mindset. We support clients with:

  • Transition Coaching: Navigating significant life and career changes.

  • Vision and Life Design: Life is an agile process. Creating a life portfolio provides an authentic and meaningful guide.

  • Mindset Coaching: The art of letting go of what keeps us stuck. Reframing limiting beliefs and the shoulda-coulda-woulda’s in life.

Self-Discovery and Transformation

Life is ever-changing, and each moment presents a growth edge. Our approach is grounded in connection, curiosity, and meaningful progress. Together, we’ll co-create a path that aligns with your authentic self and helps you achieve your vision for the future.

  • Embrace Growth: Life is dynamic, and so are you. We hold space for you to explore who you are and want to become.

  • Leverage Strengths: Our process highlights your unique strengths to illuminate your path forward.

  • Transform Together: With a focus on connection, we guide and support you on a journey tailored to your goals.

About

Gordon Paddison

Hi, I’m Gordon, founder of Goodness. I focus on influencing tomorrow’s leaders and making a difference for those who make a difference.

Clients describe me as having an insatiable curiosity and a sense of joy that is inspiring.

I am passionate about people who live to make an impact. I coach leaders, mission-based companies, and individuals who improve the world. I empower clients to find fulfillment in their personal and professional lives.

My career has been committed to innovation. As a studio executive, I created Hollywood's first Internet marketing division and worked with Peter Jackson on The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy.

As the founder and CEO of a creative agency, I worked with the late Professor Stephen Hawking and entertainment media partners Netflix, Amazon, Lucasfilm, and Disney.

In my earlier career, I was an actor on Broadway and in regional theaters. I am a member of the Motion Picture Academy and the Television Academy.

Training

International Coaching Federation, Professional Certified Coach
Hudson Institute of Coaching Certification
Gallup Clifton Strengths Certification
The Leadership Circle Certification

I am bound by the ICF Code of Ethics and participate in coach supervision.

Futuristic​ | Strategic​ | Positivity​ | Includer​ |​ Maximizer


Blaine Vess


Hi, I'm Blaine.  I'm an entrepreneur with over two decades of experience building, scaling, and transforming businesses without traditional external funding. I have a track record of creating sustainable, purpose-driven ventures with significant economic and social impact.


I was the founder, CEO, and chairman of Student Brands, an edtech holding company that he co-founded as a college freshman in 1999. My co-founders and I built the company without an office or employees for the first twelve years of the company's existence, and used its profits to acquire about fifteen competitors. We bootstrapped Student Brands for eighteen years while generating over $100 million in highly profitable revenue. The company was acquired by Barnes and Noble Education (NYSE: BNED) in August 2017 for $58.5 million.

I was also the CEO and co-founder of Solve, a service that helped people quickly get through immigration and customs when traveling overseas. Solve was in Y Combinator's summer 2017 batch and it was acquired by Blacklane later that year.

In addition to coaching, I'm passionate about human rights, and I serve on the board of Liberty in North Korea (LiNK), a nonprofit that helps rescue and resettle North Korean refugees.

What People Are Saying

“Gordon's compassion and keen insight make him standout. He is deeply committed to his clients’ growth. He asks the right questions and provides honest feedback, helping you make real progress. He has repeatedly helped me get “unstuck”—gently prodding me to see things more positively, take action, and direct some of the care I naturally bestow upon others onto myself.

He shows up to every session with an insatiable curiosity and a sense of joy that is inspiring. And he is FUN! He has made a world of difference for me as I navigate leadership challenges (leading and being led), intergenerational challenges, and balancing my work ethic with the modern workforce. I am a more compassionate and insightful leader because of Gordon.”

Heather | Non-Profit Leader | Washington, DC

“Gordon is a delightful person to work with! I started getting insights into myself and my work on Day 1 of working with Gordon, a pattern that has continued for the past year we've met. Our sessions together helped me get my nonprofit off the ground, grow my team to more than twenty people, and commit to a regular writing habit (which led to my publishing by the end of the year). His questions and reflections inevitably lead to new learning and ideas, and his joy is contagious. I'm so thankful for the intention, intelligence, and creativity that Gordon brings to our every interaction, and my life and work are better because of our time together.”

S. Rouk | Connect For Animals: Founder | Arlington, Virginia

Reflecting on the goals I set at the beginning of my experience, I can see that I have grown as a leader in my self-awareness, confidence, and overall ability to execute. Gordon encouraged me to tap into my key strengths but did not hesitate to challenge me to do more when performing below my potential. I appreciated that he was not prescriptive on how I should solve my problems. Instead, he helped me clarify my thoughts and explore solutions.”

M. Wambugu | Microsoft: Sr Product Mgr | Nairobi County, Kenya

Reach Goodness