Helping execs in new roles accelerate impact, build credibility fast and avoid costly transition mistakes | xIBM Consulting | xPwC | Certified Executive Coach

You’ve just landed your next big executive role - congratulations!

Now comes the part no one prepares you for: making it successful.

The hard truth is, 40% of executive transitions fail within 18 months.

And the cost is staggering:

2.5x to 30x the executive’s salary in lost productivity, turnover, and disruption.

Career damage for the executive that can take years to recover from.

Maybe it's your first time at the senior leadership table. 
Maybe you've done this before, but this time, the stakes feel higher. 
Different company, industry, department or role.

Either way, you know this first year will define your reputation and your results.

Tell me if this sounds familiar:

You've inherited a team that doesn't fully trust you yet. 
You're navigating company politics, shifting priorities, and sky-high expectations. 
Everyone's watching, but no one's guiding. 
You're smart, experienced, and capable. 
But the pressure to prove yourself is relentless.

This is exactly where I come in.

I help new executives thrive where 40% fail by guiding them through the high-stakes first year.

My coaching is confidential, personalized, and focused on helping you:

✔ Earn trust quickly and secure early credibility
✔ Navigate politics and hidden organizational dynamics
✔ Build and align your leadership team for quick wins
✔ Make high-impact decisions without costly missteps
✔ Lay the foundation for long-term success and legacy

 Why Trust Me?
• 25+ years in Fortune 500 consulting, partnering with senior executives 
• Led $30M+ transformation portfolios and 250+ person practices at IBM 
• Led risk strategy for $100M+ proposals and complex transformations 
• Built and delivered IBM's top global executive coaching programs 
• Certified executive coach with 300+ leaders coached

If you’re ready to accelerate your impact and avoid costly missteps,

let’s make your first year your strongest. 

📩 DM me “Executive Transition” and let’s talk.

Dora Vanourek

That Monday you're dreading
is someone's answered prayer.
We're exhausted by everything we "have to" do.

- Wake up early
- Answer endless emails
- Deal with difficult people
- Attend another meeting

I caught myself overwhelmed by my packed calendar this morning.

Then remembered my friend who's been job hunting for 6 months.

The shift was instant:

What feels like just another day:

→ Monday morning alarm
→ Back-to-back meetings 
→ Endless client calls
→ Inbox overflowing
→ Weekend work sessions

What it really is:

→ Income that supports your life
→ People who value your expertise
→ Clients who trust your guidance 
→ Work that has real impact
→ Freedom to build something

This isn't about toxic positivity.

Or pretending everything's perfect.

Or ignoring real challenges.

It's about perspective.

Every "I have to" is actually an "I get to" in disguise.

What's one thing you're dreading today that someone else would be grateful for?

♻️ Repost for someone who forgot they're fortunate
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If you're not growing in your job, you're shrinking.

But shrinking feels like stability.

Like patience.
Commitment.
Paying your dues.

So you start telling yourself:

'The market's tough right now.' 
'I'm lucky to have a job.' 
'Maybe next quarter will be different.'

And while you're being 'patient':

Someone with half your experience gets promoted.

Someone who started after you becomes your boss.

The job-hopper is making 40% more.

If your company isn't investing in your growth, 
you're not building a career -
you're maintaining theirs.

They get your best years. 
You get a review that says 'meets expectations.'

Growth isn't just about moving up.

It's about expanding your skills.
Taking on challenges that scare you.
Working with people who believe in you.

Ask yourself:

- When did you last learn something that changed how you work?

- Who's invested in your development this quarter?

- What skills are you building for your next role?

If it's tough to answer these, you're not stable.

You're stuck.

And stuck is just shrinking in slow motion.

The riskiest career move isn't leaving too soon.

It's staying too long.

How will you feel next year if nothing changes?

Your growth doesn't need permission.

♻️ Repost to remind someone that loyalty without growth is a trap
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"I found a better opportunity."

Translation: I found a leader who values me.

I've coached hundreds through resignations.

The real reason they leave: 
it's rarely what they say at first.

Behind "better opportunity" or "career growth" is something deeper:

They don't feel valued.

Nobody says thank you.

Their ideas get ignored. 
Their skills go unused. 
They've stopped learning.

If you want to keep your best people:

- Truly listen
- Say thank you
- Seek their ideas
- Appreciate them
- Provide flexibility
- Make time for them
- Ask for their opinions
- Share timely feedback
- Ask how they really are
- Involve them in decisions
- Provide growth opportunities
- Communicate with transparency
- Trust them to make the right decisions

You don't need a budget for any of these.

Just intention, and genuinely caring for your people.

Be the leader you wish you had.

♻️ Repost to remind someone they matter
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7 phrases that are quietly damaging your credibility:

(and what to say instead)

1. I'll try:
↳ Sounds like you're already half-expecting to fail.
↳ Say: "I'll complete it by Friday and will keep you updated on my progress."

2. No offence, but…:
↳ Nothing good ever follows this phrase. 
↳ Say: "Here's my perspective." or "I see it differently."

3. This might be a stupid question, but…:
↳ Undermines your question before you even ask it.
↳ Say: "I'd like to clarify something."

4. That's not my problem:
↳ Makes you sound dismissive and unhelpful.
↳ Say: "Let me help you find the right person."

5. We've always done it this way:
↳ Makes you appear resistant to change.
↳ Say: "Let's consider other options."

6. I guess…:
↳ Shows lack of confidence.
↳ Say: "Here's what I think." or "This is what I know so far."

7. Does that make sense?
↳ Sounds like you're doubting yourself or the other person's intelligence.
↳ Say: "What questions do you have?"

Your words shape how others perceive you. 

Own your words, own your impact.

♻️ Repost to help someone.
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7 seemingly innocent phrases that hurt your credibility

Self-doubt kills more careers than 
bad bosses ever could.

It paralyzes talented people into inaction.

And pushes many of us into traps like:

❌ Waiting to feel confident before starting
❌ Seeking perfection before launching
❌ Taking "one more certification" before applying

But perfect circumstances never come.

A year ago, I left my 25+ year corporate career.

It was the scariest step I ever took.

Nothing was guaranteed.

Yet, my family depended on me.

And honestly? I am still figuring it out every day.

But I realized that waiting for "safe" was the biggest risk of all.

Small steps will change your life:

1. Stop collecting certifications like armour
→ You already know enough to take the first step
→ True learning happens in the doing

2. Shift your mindset
→ Replace "I'm not qualified" with "I'll figure it out"
→ Turn "I'm not ready" into "I'll learn as I go"

3. Build momentum
→ Take one small step. Then another.
→ Progress creates confidence, not the other way around

Remember, someone with half your talent is out there doing it.

You are more than ready.

Take that first step today.

♻️ Repost to remind someone to bet on themselves
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We've built hiring systems that strip away humanity.

Then we wonder why trust is broken from day one.

It’s because we have normalized 
the unacceptable:

❌ Posting ghost jobs to signal growth
→ while real people wait for an email that never comes

❌ Automated rejections
→ after someone spent hours filling out a complicated application form

❌ Six rounds of interviews
→ because no one trusts anyone else's judgement

❌ Ghosting people after the final rounds
→ because giving feedback is not a priority

❌ "Not enough experience"
→ when they could learn the job in a month

The hiring managers feel this too.

They're drowning in reqs.
Pressured by systems they didn't design.
Told to move fast while also de-risking every hire.

People are not numbers.

Every resume represents someone's hopes.
Their rent. Their kids' futures.
Their career turning point.

To the hiring managers doing their best within broken systems:

Thank you. It matters more than you know.

♻️ Repost if you believe hiring should be more human
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People won't remember your job title.

They'll remember how you made them feel.

Because true happiness at work isn't about being employed.

It's about feeling valued.

The best leaders live by this.

They don't just manage tasks.
They empower people to grow.
They appreciate them genuinely.

Be that leader:

- Listen without judgement
- Provide stretch assignments
- Genuinely ask, "How are you?"
- Be kind, even on the tough days
- Open doors to new opportunities
- Acknowledge their unique strengths
- Empower others to explore and learn
- Share feedback that helps others thrive
- Invite input in decisions that impact others
- Show appreciation - it means more than you know
- Believe in someone before they believe in themselves

Leadership isn't just about budgets or targets.

It's about kindness, respect, and leaving people better than when you met them.

Have you had a great leader?
Tag them to thank them ⬇️ 

♻️ Repost to inspire your network
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Early in my career, I made the same mistake 
with every piece of feedback.

It's not that I disagreed with what they said.

I just wanted to explain myself.
Provide context.
Share the circumstances.

I didn't want them to think I was incapable.

But here's what they heard:

Excuses.

And over time, people stopped telling me the truth.

Here's what I wish I understood sooner:

When you stop listening, people stop sharing.

And that's when growth stops too.

5 ways to receive feedback without getting defensive:

1. Pause before responding
→ Your first instinct is to explain. Resist it
→ Take a breath. Let the words settle.

2. Say "thank you" first
→ Even if it stings. Especially then
→ Gratitude keeps the door open for next time

3. Reflect on it later
→ You don't have to process it in the moment
→ Come back with questions tomorrow

4. Find the truth in it
→ Even if you don't agree 100%, there's usually something real
→ Find the 10% of truth, even if the other 90% is wrong

5. Separate the message from the delivery
→ Feedback can be poorly delivered and still be true
→ Don't let imperfect delivery block valuable insight

The most coachable people grow the fastest.

Not because they're the smartest.

But because they stay open when it's uncomfortable.

♻️ Repost to help someone stay coachable
➕ Follow Dora Vanourek for modern leadership

Most leaders obsess over the wrong things.

They chase better processes.

Refine strategies.

Restructure teams.

And when results don't improve:

They apply pressure.
Tighten timelines.
Use fear as a tactic.

Meanwhile, the people who care the most, stop caring.

The best leaders do the opposite:

✅ Know their names and their stories
↳ "How's your daughter's soccer season?"

✅ Treat everyone with equal respect
↳ The intern's time matters as much as the VP's. Act like it

✅ Follow through on their feedback
↳ Actually listen and act. Or explain why not. Silence kills trust faster than "no"

✅ Share your own mistakes first
↳ "Here's where I messed up" opens doors to honesty

✅ Replace "Who did this?" with "What can we learn?"
↳ One question assigns blame. The other builds resilience

✅ Address toxic behaviour quickly
↳ Every day you wait, good people update their resumes

You don't need another framework.

You need to look up from your spreadsheet and see the humans in front of you.

Before the best ones stop caring completely.

♻️ Repost to inspire people-first leadership
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High performers don't always get promoted.

Sometimes they get silenced.

You're excelling at everything 
- except getting recognized for it.

The problem isn't your performance.

It's how your success makes someone else feel.

7 signs your boss sees you as a threat:

1. The Control Trap 🔍
↳ They micromanage you while trusting others
↳ Build relationships beyond your manager

2. The Information Freeze ❄️
↳ You're always the last to hear what's happening
↳ Create multiple information channels

3. Credit Confusion 🎭
↳ Your wins become nameless "team efforts"
↳ Document your contributions consistently

4. The Expertise Challenge 🧠
↳ They undermine your expertise in front of others
↳ Back your ideas with clear data

5. The Strategic Isolation 🔒
↳ "Accidentally" excluding you from key meetings
↳ Join high-visibility projects independently

6. The Performance Paradox 📊
↳ Lukewarm reviews despite strong results
↳ Collect written feedback from peers and clients

7. The Growth Block ⛔
↳ Your opportunities mysteriously keep getting delayed
↳ Create your own path outside formal systems

Remember: Their insecurity is not your ceiling.

You don't need to shrink to keep others comfortable.

Keep showing up.

📌 Navigating your first year in a new role?

Get weekly insights in The First Year newsletter: 
dora.coach 

♻️ Repost to help someone
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7 Signs Your Boss Sees You as a Threat

Toxic managers don’t just crush your confidence.

They rewire how you see yourself.

They use guilt, fear, and shame to maintain control.

Their tactics leave you questioning:

❌ your judgement
❌ your worth
❌ and even your sanity

But it's not you – it's them.

7 phrases toxic managers use:
(and how to protect yourself)

1. You should be grateful you even have a job
↳ Uses fear to silence your legitimate concerns
↳ "I want to contribute effectively. Can we find a solution?"

2. Everyone else is managing just fine
↳ Unfair comparison shames you into silence
↳ "Let's review my workload and priorities"

3. I have a lot of pressure from above, so you need to...
↳ Shifts poor planning onto your shoulders
↳ "I understand. Let's align on priorities"

4. You're being too sensitive
↳ Minimizes feelings to avoid personal accountability
↳ "This is affecting my work performance"

5. I'm doing this for your own good
↳ Masks controlling behaviour as genuine care
↳ "Can you explain how this helps me?"

6. If you were really loyal, you'd stay late...
↳ Emotional guilt-trips to ignore healthy boundaries
↳ "Can we align earlier on priorities?"

7. You're lucky I'm protecting you
↳ Creates dependence through imagined threats
↳ "What am I being protected from?"

You can't change who they are.

 But you can control what you tolerate.

You deserve to thrive, not just survive.

♻ Repost to help your network
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📌 Navigating your first year in a new role?
Get weekly insights in The First Year newsletter: 
https://lnkd.in/gkbJnUVb

7 phrases toxic managers say to manipulate you

Nobody deserves to be insulted or belittled.

Too often, we stay silent and wish we'd spoken up.

Or we react emotionally and regret it later.

There's a better way to respond with calm, clarity, and strength.

7 ways to handle insults at work:

1. Seek Clarification
↳ Make them reflect on what they said
↳ Did you mean to embarrass me just now?

2. Set Boundaries
↳ Clearly state what behaviour isn't acceptable
↳ That tone is not ok with me.

3. Use the Pause Technique
↳ Strategic silence followed by a calm response
↳ [Pause] Let's take a step back and approach this differently.

4. Mirror With Professionalism
↳ Reflect their behaviour so they confront it
↳ I'm hearing frustration. Is there a bigger issue?

5. Redirect to Solutions
↳ Shift from personal attack to problem-solving
↳ Let's focus on next steps, not assigning blame.

6. Use Humour (if it fits your style)
↳ A light touch can defuse tension
↳ That's one way to start a Wednesday meeting!

7. The Direct Approach
↳ The clearest response is often most powerful
↳ That was inappropriate. Let's restart or pause here.

You don't have to shrink to keep the peace.

Stand your ground with calm power.

📌 Navigating your first year in a new role?
Get weekly insights in The First Year newsletter:
https://lnkd.in/gkbJnUVb

7 Smart ways to handle insults at work

The fastest way to fail in a new role?

Do exactly what got you hired.

It's called the competence trap - 
where your biggest strength becomes your blind spot.

7 mistakes leaders make in the first 100 days:

1. Misreading the Culture 🏢
↳ Seeing surface behaviours but missing deeper values
↳ Schedule listening tours with employees at all levels

2. Bringing the Old Playbook 📚
↳ Forcing familiar fixes onto problems creates resistance
↳ Ask "Why is it done this way?" to understand

3. Neglecting Key Stakeholders 🤝
↳ Focusing only on direct reports misses critical support
↳ Map all stakeholders and build an engagement plan

4. Moving Too Fast on Team Changes 👥
↳ Misreading team dynamics creates unnecessary instability
↳ Assess systematically before making changes

5. Underestimating Organizational Politics 🎭
↳ Overlooking hidden alliances leads to blindsided resistance
↳ Map informal networks before launching initiatives

6. Failing to Renegotiate Unclear Mandates ⚖️
↳ Not clarifying conflicting expectations from stakeholders
↳ Renegotiate KPIs and budgets

7. Energy Depletion 🔋
↳ Proving yourself while well-being slips
↳ Remember: your energy, not just time, is your scarcest resource

Success isn't about your track record.

It's about decoding the rules where you are now.

📌 Navigating your first year in a new role?
Get weekly insights in The First Year newsletter: https://lnkd.in/gkbJnUVb

♻ Repost to help your network
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7 Mistakes Leaders Make in the First 100 Days

David Kellerman

The Founder’s Coach | Eliminate The Idea That Stress Leads To Success | Coaching Impact Led Founders | Forbes30u30 | Co-founder Frank about tea

Welcome to Founders Coach: The Ultimate Transformation Journey for Entrepreneurs

At Founders Coach, we don't just coach; we transform entrepreneurs. If you're a serial entrepreneur, a founder scaling up, or a VC-funded visionary, you're no stranger to the roller coaster of business ownership. Most founders face highs and lows, from selling companies to facing bankruptcy. The real challenge, though, lies not just in what you do but in aligning who you are with your business.

Common Challenges:
Struggling to align personal values with your business model.
Feeling overwhelmed by the need to make crucial decisions under stress.
Experiencing loneliness and misunderstanding from those not on the entrepreneurial path.
Suffering from inefficacy in building profitable businesses while maintaining inner peace.

How We Help:
Our coaching is meticulously designed to guide you from where you are to where you want to be by addressing both the superficial business challenges and the deeper, personal conflicts:
Deep-Dive Problem Solving: We start by understanding the immediate business issues you face, whether it's company restructuring, crucial firings, or strategic exits.
Personal and Emotional Alignment: Through a combination of somatic, emotional, and cognitive work, we address the root causes of your struggles—often tracing back to unresolved personal conflicts or misaligned values.

Our Solutions:
Equipped with a strong, value-aligned team, building not just a business, but a legacy.
Enjoying a profitable business while remaining true to your core values and enjoying peace of mind.
Embracing a newfound clarity and confidence in decision-making, free from old anxieties and stresses.
Benefiting from a supportive, understanding relationship with a coach who's also been in the trenches of entrepreneurship.

The Founders Coach Difference:
Rapid, Groundbreaking Change: Experience significant shifts in just 1-3 sessions. We look back to move forward, unblocking past traumas that affect your current success.

Holistic Focus: We integrate your body and nervous system in our approach, going beyond mere cognitive strategies because true blockages reside deeper.
Continuous Connection: You're never alone. As your coach, I am your confidante, available anytime, committed to your ongoing transformation.
Founder-to-Founder Trust: Having been a founder myself, I bring an understanding and a trust that only comes from shared experiences.

How You Can Reach me:

Reach out to me directly here on LinkedIn or schedule a call at https://app.practice.do/me/david-kellerman/book/clarity

Founder

Coaching & Consulting for Visionaries ready for Quantum Shifts in Life & Business! 
Break free from the confines of conventional thinking and elevate your founders game

A year ago I broke up with the love of my life.

My former co-founder and fiancée (we met in that that order).

The woman who could have been the mother of my kids.

Why?
Because sometimes love isn’t enough.

We spent almost a decade together — growing from our early twenties into our thirties.

It was the hardest decision either of us ever had to take.
Why would we leave a loving relationship?

Because we both wanted kids. And we wanted to become conscious parents. But deep down, we knew something wasn’t right between us.

So we made a radical choice: a 6-month break.  To see what truly held us together. And what made us dependent on each other.

When the same patterns reappeared, we faced a truth we couldn’t ignore: Stepping back in risks dragging our future kids through a divorce.
And that was something we weren’t willing to risk.

So we chose to consciously uncouple.

Today, she’s no longer my partner — but she is, and always will be, my best friend.

Exited Founder turned Startup Therapist | Founder Frank about tea | Coaching Impact Led Founders | Forbes30u30 |

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