Get Courageous Coaching

Co-Founder & CEO (Chief Empowerment Officer) of Get Courageous.  Dedicated to helping people, teams, and organizations connect their thoughts about leadership to their actions.   Fond of creating A-Ha Moments!

• Leadership Coaching
• CxO Development
• Dare to Lead Certified Facilitator
• Retirement Coaching
• Confidence Coaching
• Presentation & Delivery Coaching
• Empowerful Manager Program Facilitator & Coach
• Leadership Development Facilitation
• Emotional Intelligence Coach & Facilitator

#daretolead
#coach
#executivecoach
#retirementcoach
#confidencecoach

Executive Coach - Focusing on Leadership, Communication, Executive Career Transitions, & Retirement

• Guide individuals through pre- and post-retirement phases, creating personalized strategies for lifestyle adjustments.
• Partnered with clients to build retirement plans for a smooth transition into retirement.
• Specialize in providing support and space for clients seeking purpose after leaving the workforce.

Retirement Coach - Shaping Your Retirement

BetterUp

• Provided executive/leadership coaching to high potentials and emerging leaders at Fortune 500 organizations. 
• Guided leaders through tailored one-on-one coaching focused on developing their leadership and management skills to achieve optimal performance for themselves and their teams.
• Assisted leaders with issues such as stress, conflicts, and transitions that affect job-related performance and well-being.

Dare to Lead Senior Executive Coach

AAIM Employers’ Association

Executive Coach supporting the leadership needs of AAIM’s clients.

Executive Coach

Marshall Goldsmith Stakeholder Centered Coaching

In partnership with Marshall Goldsmith Stakeholder Centered Coaching, the world’s premier executive coaching company, Leslie Mizerak coaches her clients using Marshall Goldsmith’s proven coaching process. World-renowned coach, Dr. Marshall Goldsmith is the leading expert in his field. Ranked as the World’s #1 Leadership Thinker by Harvard Business Review and Thinkers 50.

Forbes Coaches Council

Member and Forbes Contributor

NimblyWise

Executive & Leadership Coach

DisruptHR LLC

www.DisruptHR.co/Orlando

Organizer
Disruptor
Former Chief Merriment Maker

Local Organizer for DisruptHR Orlando

Direct Energy

Strategic internal client consulting, including leadership development, coaching, assessments, team building & client/team development planning.

•Leader Development
•Executive Coaching
•Emerging Talent Rotational Program
•Leadership Assessment Center
•Manager Development
•Leadership Facilitation

Past:
Creating and implementing the infrastructure, framework, and strategies to effectively manage Talent Planning process and assess and create action plans for the organization’s top talent. 

•Talent Reviews
•Succession Planning
•Career Development & Transition Coaching
•Skill Gap Analysis
•Leader & Manager Coaching
•Internal Client Consultation
•L&D Strategy Development
•L&D Vendor Management
•Leader Assessment and Coaching 
•Deliver and continuously improve DES’s talent planning processes, tools and systems. 
•Work with senior executives and HRBPs in top talent identification, planning, action planning and placement. 
•Work with emerging talent & their leader on the creation of individualized developmental action plans. 
•Incorporate assessment, succession, experience, performance and development data into a talent repository to be used for future talent decision making.

Also responsible for 
•Employee engagement analysis & implementation in DE Services.
•Leadership and management development strategizing, needs analysis and implementation.

Talent & Development Business Partner

Equipment Depot

Projects Include:
•	Leader Coaching
•	Organiation-wide e-training implementation
•	Succession Planning for Executive Team
•	SuccessFactors Performance Management System implementation
•	Success Factors LMS Implementation
•	Company-wide on-boarding, from acceptance of offer to 180 day review
•	Leadership Development for Upper-Mid level Management
•	Talent Development for Executive & Mid level management
•	Sales Excellence – solutions based sales program

Director - Training & Talent Management; Interim VP HR

Orange County Convention Center

As the Director of Training and Development I had the great opportunity to touch people's lives throughout the OCCC, both employees and customers.  

Partnered on a multi-layered sustainability program, Tourism Crisis Management and developing the pilot program for Cross Training within the facility.
 
Facilitated and Developed Programs:
•	Customer Satisfaction
•	Center of Hospitality Culture Development
•	Manager and Leader Development
•	Career Development Coaching & Facilitation
•	Problem Solving
•	Goal Setting
•	Networking, Sales & Marketing Training
•	Interviewing Skills

Train the Trainer program that allows division/section Subject Matter Experts to effectively learn the tools of a successful trainer.

Convention Services Professional a job shadowing and experiential development program designed to teach employees from across the center about the different areas of the center.

Director of Training & Development

Still learning; still growing; still excited about developing others!   

I help leaders, executives, career-minded folks turn their thoughts into actions.  

Passionate Coach, Leadership Facilitator, and Connector of Dots.  I use Coaching (discovery), mentoring (sharing) & consulting (advising) when working with clients to support them in their development whether in a team setting, classroom or 1 to 1.  Connecting leadership thoughts to real & realistic actions. PCC Certified.

I have worn many hats in several industries in my career and look forward to partnering with leaders and organizations to build internal leadership capability, team and individual competencies, and organizational effectiveness.

I collaborate with HR and Leadership to design and provide targeted and strategic facilitation, mentoring programs, training and coaching to meet your specific needs.

If I can’t be of service, I may know others that can meet your needs, connecting people is as important as connecting thoughts to actions.

Let’s connect - email me at: Leslie@Getcourageous.com

Strengths: 
•	Executive Coaching
•	Leadership Development
•	Presentation & Messaging Coaching
•	Leadership Talent Reviews
•	Bias Awareness Coaching
•	Emerging Leader Coaching
•	Global & Career Transition Coaching
•	Skill and Knowledge Gap Assessment
•	Proactive Leadership Development
•	Creating a Learning Culture
•	Talent Management & Succession Planning 

Specialties: Talent Development, Management Development, Personal Development Planning, Succession Planning & Sales Training program development/deployment. Training program development & facilitation & career pathing. Needs analysis and ROI delivery. 

Certified in:
•	DDI
•	Fierce Conversations
•	Dare to Lead
•	Conversations (Vital Smarts)
•	Emotional Intelligence (EI); JCS & EQ-i 2.0
•	Leadership Behaviors
•	The Leadership Challenge
•	LPI
•	Hogan
•	MBTI &DiSC
•	5 Behaviors of a Cohesive Team

Happy Friday everyone! 

I have vowed to start taking Fridays off and be the only person that is allowed to put anything on my calendar on Fridays.

Fridays have become sacred, a special time to work if I want to and do other things if work is not on my agenda.

Considering I spent 50 to 60 hours a week working either on the business or with my clients I feel like this is the one thing that I can protect.

So I’m out and about enjoying the beautiful weather - 

Do you know where I am?
Iykyk 

#boundaries #friday

Leslie R. Mizerak, PCC, CDTLF

Still learning; still growing; still excited about developing others!   I help leaders, executives, career-minded folks turn their thoughts into actions.  

Passionate Coach, Leadership Facilitator, and Connector of Dots.  I use Coaching (discovery), mentoring (sharing) & consulting (advising) when working with clients to support them in their development whether in a team setting, classroom or 1 to 1.  Connecting leadership thoughts to real & realistic actions. PCC Certified.

I have worn many hats in several industries in my career and look forward to partnering with leaders and organizations to build internal leadership capability, team and individual competencies, and organizational effectiveness.

I collaborate with HR and Leadership to design and provide targeted and strategic facilitation, mentoring programs, training and coaching to meet your specific needs.

If I can’t be of service, I may know others that can meet your needs, connecting people is as important as connecting thoughts to actions.

Let’s connect - email me at: Leslie@MizerakCoaching.com or call 407.622.1433

Strengths: 
•	Executive Coaching
•	Leadership Development
•	Presentation & Messaging Coaching
•	Leadership Talent Reviews
•	Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Coaching
•	Emerging Leader Coaching
•	Global & Career Transition Coaching
•	Skill and Knowledge Gap Assessment
•	Proactive Leadership Development
•	Creating a Learning Culture
•	Talent Management & Succession Planning 

Specialties: Talent Development, Management Development, Personal Development Planning, Succession Planning & Sales Training program development/deployment. Training program development & facilitation & career pathing. Needs analysis and ROI delivery. 

Certified in:
•	DDI
•	Fierce Conversations
•	Dare to Lead
•	Conversations (Vital Smarts)
•	Emotional Intelligence (EI); JCS & EQ-i 2.0
•	Leadership Behaviors
•	The Leadership Challenge
•	LPI
•	Hogan
•	MBTI &DiSC
•	5 Behaviors of a Cohesive Team

Courage Builder 💥 Courage in Your Leadership, Career, & Life. Executive Coach | Retirement Coach | Certified Dare to Lead Facilitator | Author | PCC💡

It's my birthday - to celebrate, I am offering Your Career Has A Life Of Its Own for free on Kindle on November 3rd & 4th, 2025.

https://lnkd.in/eDg2zPMa


#career #leadership #books #careertransition #coaching

If you're not excited to wake up and go to work on a Monday, you need to spend 5 mins reading this..

There's a question professionals rarely ask themselves until it's too late: 

"Is this it?"

✅ You've climbed the ladder. 
✅ You've earned the promotions. 
✅ On paper, everything looks great. 

But inside, there's that quiet voice wondering if any of this was what you actually wanted, or if you just kept saying yes.

Here's the hard truth: 

Your career doesn't belong to your company, your manager, or even the economy. It belongs to you. 💪 

Yet most of us give away ownership without realizing it. 

We wait to be promoted. 
We wait for recognition. 
We wait for the "right time" to make a move. 
We get stuck thinking careers happen to us instead of through us.

🛫 The Autopilot Trap
Answer honestly:

👉 Did you actively choose your current role, or just follow the logical next step?
👉 When describing your work, do you feel energized or detached?
👉 Are you staying because it truly fits who you are—or because it's safe?

If you answered "no" to most of these, you're not stuck. 
You're just ready for a more intentional next chapter.

Reclaim Ownership in 3 Steps

1. Audit Your Career
What energizes you? What drains you? What have you learned in the past year? These are signals. Pay attention.

2. Set Intentional Goals
Don't wait for annual reviews. Set goals that matter to you. Ambition doesn't always mean climbing higher.

3. Find Your Advocates
Career growth isn't solo. Surround yourself with people who challenge you to think bigger, celebrate your wins, and open doors you can't reach alone.

What does success look like to me right now?

❌ Not five years ago. 
❌ Not based on someone else's expectations. 
✅ Right now.

When you know what matters to you, decisions become easier. 
Priorities become clearer. You stop comparing your career against everyone else's highlight reel.

Stop waiting. Start designing. Get courageous.

p.s. If you liked this, you will absolutely love my book "Your Career Has A Life Of Its Own"

Follow Leslie Mizerak for more, and have a phenomenal week ahead.

Courage Builder 💥 Courage in Your Leadership, Career, & Life. | Executive Coach | Retirement Coach | Certified Dare to Lead Facilitator | Author | PCC💡

My #Halloween costume 🎃 for a full day of coaching today.  I love #spookyseason.  I am NOT a costume person, but I sure love me some fun earrings.

Do you dress up at the office?

Do you have a go-to costume, or do you like to mix it up?

Have a fun and safe Halloween, everyone. 🎃 👻

It's the weekend so I am trying something new! (hint below) 🤩🤩 

Linkedin (and life) need not always be boring.

Presenting 5 Leadership Truths Nobody Talks About..

Featuring some AI magic! 🤝 

Happy Friday! 🥳 

I welcome your honest feedback

How do you think I can improve this for next time? 👇

5 Leadership Truths by Coach Leslie Mizerak

"I don't have all the answers." 👇

That's one of the hardest sentences for a leader to say. 

But it's the most powerful.

I've worked with 100+ C-suite leaders & executives in 13 years of coaching.

The best ones excel at being human, vulnerable.

They are not afraid to admit they don't know what they don't know.

Do you know a leader who is courageous enough to be vulnerable?

Tag them below and let them know 🤝

Great job Ramiro Herrera, Jr. on you skills-based presentation LAKE SUMTER SOCIETY FOR HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT INC today!

Well done you - “Right on!”

#shrm #hr

Sophia M. Thank you you for stopping by my book signing today in Mt Dora!  Great to see you again!

Tell me if this sounds familiar..
Someone on your team says, "Can we talk?"

Your stomach drops.

They share feedback. Critical feedback.

And while they're talking, you're already: 

→ Formulating your defense 
→ Thinking of counter-examples 
→ Planning how to redirect blame

You're listening.
But you're not hearing.

The small habit that separates good leaders from great leaders is the ability to listen AND the ability to hear what's being said (whether you like it or not.)

Here's what I see with leaders I coach:

❌ Good leaders hear criticism as an attack. 
✅ Great leaders hear it as data.

❌ Good leaders get defensive and explain. 
✅ Great leaders get curious and explore.

❌ Good leaders want to be right. 
✅ Great leaders want to get better.

The next time someone brings you uncomfortable feedback, try this:

🧘‍♂️ Take a breath. 
🤝 Say "thank you." 
🗣️ Ask "tell me more."

Then actually sit with what they're saying before you respond.

Your team isn't looking for perfection. They're looking for a leader who can handle the truth.

Be that leader. 💪

What's the hardest feedback you've received as a leader? 

How did you handle it?

Dedicated the leader who feels like they have to put on an "executive mask" everyday: STOP! 

My coaching philosophy is simple.

Authenticity is your highest-leverage skill. 

As a coach, I find it fulfilling to work on not only on hard skills but also on

👉 Emotional Intelligence
👉 Courage
👉 Building Authenticity
👉 Being Vulnerable

This work is what keeps me going, and what I find deeply fulfilling.

What stops people from being themselves in the workplace?

Serious answers only 👇

💫 Still, but Mighty: The Power of the Pause 

In a world obsessed with motion, achievement, and momentum, what if the most courageous thing we can do is… pause? This month’s newsletter explores the quiet strength of stillness — not as inaction, but as intention.

✨ Main Feature — Career:  [Navigating the In-Between Moments]
Career paths aren’t straight lines. The spaces between jobs, promotions, or purposes often feel uncomfortable — even invisible. But those “in-between” moments are fertile ground for reflection, recalibration, and renewal. Stillness here isn’t idleness — it’s preparation.

Leadership:  [Strategic Pauses: The Leader’s Secret Weapon]
True leaders know that power doesn’t come from rushing ahead, but from grounded confidence — the ability to pause, listen, and respond with clarity instead of urgency.

Wellness:  [The Power of Pressing Pause]
Stillness restores balance to our overstimulated minds and bodies. Whether it’s a mindful coffee moment, a silent walk, or three deep breaths between meetings — small pauses make a big difference.

Retirement: [Finding Presence in Simplicity]
Presence is power. This piece redefines “retirement” as a new chapter of intentional simplicity — one where meaning grows from slowing down, not from staying busy.

If you’re navigating transition, leading through uncertainty, or simply craving space to breathe — this one’s for you.

Let’s normalize leadership and living that doesn’t race to respond, but instead leans into the courage of calm.
 Still, but mighty.

#Leadership #CareerDevelopment #Wellbeing #Retirement #Courage #Mindfulness #DareToLead #Stillness #CourageousFuture

"My team doesn't listen to me"

"I send emails and messages constantly"

"They said they understood, but went ahead and did something completely different."

Sounds familiar?

The problem is that the team is listening.. but you're not being heard

Listening is passive. 
Being heard requires connection, clarity, and context.

When your team nods in agreement but acts differently, it means:

😐 Your message wasn't clear enough
❌ They didn't understand the "why" behind your request
☠️ There's no psychological safety to ask clarifying questions
Or they genuinely disagree but won't tell you

What actually works:

Have a real conversation. 
Ask questions. Check for understanding by having them explain it back. Create space for pushback.

❌ Stop talking at your team. 
✅ Start talking with them.

A client said something to me today that made me laugh harder than I probably should have: 

“If you're going to be dumb, you've got to be tough.”  

The context of our conversation wasn’t about leadership, but it absolutely made my zany brain go there.

Here’s the truth most leaders won’t say out loud:

Not all mistakes are created equal.
There’s a world of difference between:

🔹 A misstep made after thoughtful due diligence
and
🔸 A mistake made willy-nilly >>> rushed, careless, or ego-driven.

One deserves reflection.
The other demands accountability.

Either way?
You’ve got to be tough.

Tough enough to own your choices.
Tough enough to acknowledge what you missed.
Tough enough to learn publicly instead of hiding behind perfection theatre.

Because here’s what really hurts organizations:

❌ Leaders who refuse to admit mistakes
👉 create teams who refuse to take risks.

❌ Cultures built on “no mistakes allowed”
👉 quickly become “no growth allowed.”

The leaders people trust most are the ones who can say:

“This one’s on me, and here’s what I’m learning.”

So if you’re going to be bold, imperfect, human (and yes, occasionally “dumb”), you also need to be resilient enough to clean it up with honesty, humor, and courage.

That’s not weakness.  That’s leadership.

#leadership #executivecoaching #courageousleadership #daretolead

Thought-provoking responses to all too common and overused interview questions.  While this is very good article, I say let’s reframe the questions.  

What is one skill you can leverage in this role?
What is one skill you would like to further develop in this new role?  
Similar but different.

#hr #recruiting #interviews

Stand out in job interviews by giving authentic answers to strengths and weaknesses questions.

“The future depends on what you do today.”

Happy Monday 🚀  have a brilliant week!

Happy to share that I'll be speaking at HRMama - Keeping It Together (Mostly): The Working Mom Edition! Make sure to attend on November 18.  There is bound to be some laughter and real conversation!!

#HR #motherhood #hrmama

HR Partner | Creator of HRMama | Building Community with Heart, Encouragement & A Little Chaos

HRMama is going live with "Keeping It Together (Mostly): The Working Mom Edition"! I am Miranda Arjona - HR leader, mom, and the voice behind HRMama. I am hosting monthly virtual and LIVE HRMama conversations and I would love for you to join me! This is a space for real talk, shared laughs, and honest moments about juggling work, motherhood, and everything in between.

  🗓️ Tuesday, November 18
  🕐 1:00 PM EST
  📍 Zoom (Meeting ID: 831 8853 9626; Passcode: 0gTZzR)
  🎙️ Featuring Special Guest: Leslie Mizerak from Get Courageous Coaching

This 30-minute session is all about sharing the HRMama journey – finding YOUrself and COURAGE in parenthood. No filters. No fluff. Just real stories from the trenches of HR and parenting. We are rewriting the narrative of what it means to be a working mom - one story, one connection at a time. Hope to see you there!
 
🩷 Share and tag a working parent or HR pro who should join!
 
#HRMama #WorkingMomLife #HRWithHeart #Webinar #RealTalkHR #HRCommunity #KeepingItTogetherMostly #ParentingWebinar #FulltimeMomFulltimeemployee #Connections #FindingYourself #FindingCourage

Thank you you DisruptHR Jax! ❤️

My talk comes straight from my book - Your Career Has A Life Of Its Own - which I published the week of this talk!! 

My book is free today on Kindle today, November 4th - https://a.co/d/4HfjoiF 

#career #books #leadership #careertransition
#disrupthr

🎤 DisruptHR Jax 4.0 Speaker Spotlight 🎤
Leslie Mizerak shared a powerful reminder: you are the author of your career story. Whether you're climbing the ladder, pivoting paths, or rewriting your narrative entirely, Leslie challenged us to own it, shape it, and tell it boldly.

📹 Watch her inspiring talk here: https://lnkd.in/eeqvYzcc

#DisruptHR #CareerDevelopment #Leadership #HRInspiration #DisruptHRJax #HR

What builds more trust with your team..

Pretending to know everything 

Or being honest when you don't?

The best leaders I work with do this one thing really right.

They don't just learn the right ways to lead on their coaching calls with me.

They will turn that into self affirmations (like the one below)

And then use that to keep getting better.

Just 1% better everyday.

Save this note on your phone.

Every time you're in a tough spot with your team..

Every time you want to just give an answer and walk out..

Remember this. 👇

We often think of courage as the big, headline-making moments—leaving a job, confronting injustice, taking a giant leap.

But Alex Budak reminds us in his #HarvardBusinessReview article, “6 Ways to Practice Everyday Courage,” that courage shows up in small, daily acts:

Speaking an unpopular truth.
Admitting when we don’t know the answer.
Naming an emotion instead of suppressing it.
Testing a creative idea that might flop.

Budak defines six distinct types of courage - Moral, Social, Emotional, Intellectual, Creative, and Physical - and each one comes with its own risks and rewards.

What I love about this framework is that it brings courage down to earth. It’s not about fearlessness; it’s about willingness.
 Willingness to align actions with values.
 Willingness to be wrong, or be seen.
 Willingness to try, even when you might fail.

This article really aligns with our model of coaching and to #DaretoLead; enjoyed his perspectives.

I have just started reading his book, will be talking about that soon!

https://lnkd.in/eWkd5FHV

#courage #leadership #coaching

The holiday event of the season!  It is a must go!  

#hr #holidays

Employee Benefits Advisor grounded in HR strategy, Total Rewards philosophy, Employee Engagement, and the bottom line

Be merry and bright this season with your DisruptHR Orlando family! Business leaders, HR community, and Finance friends....Do not miss our event next month at Winter Park Farmer's Market. 
We know that if one bulb goes out, the entire string also goes out. So let's decorate Park Avenue with some brilliant business thought leadership and disruption!  Don’t forget to wear your holiday PJ’s! 
The speakers will dazzle... Beth A. Williams, MBA David Miklas Herna Quero, SPHR Jason D. Frost, MBA Jeremiah Fuller Pamela Gass, MSM-HR, PHR, SHRM-CP Phil Nahajewski Dr. Sara Kyle Yogi Mueller Cheryl Marie Strizelka, MHR Kathy Scott Julius Richardson, SHRM-TA, M.S. OrgLeadership Jackie Morris, SHRM-CP
Let's go Kyle Maynard Steven Buss Kaylea Frantzis Siers Efrain (Ricky) Baez Jr., MHR, SPHR Leslie Mizerak!
Register at: https://lnkd.in/ewYziU5m

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Leslie Mizerak

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