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A modern leadership conundrum


Strategic leadership and creative leadership are often viewed as contrasting disciplines. While strategic leaders are guided by logic, data, and predictability, aiming for consistency and stability, they can struggle to think outside the box. Creative leaders, on the other hand, excel in innovation and disruption, but their relentless pursuit of novelty may cause them to overlook practical and strategic considerations.

The differences between these leadership styles are likened to science and art. The strategic leader's realm is governed by evidence-based decision-making and long-term goals. The creative leader's strength lies in questioning the status quo and imagining the unimaginable, but their focus on disruption can hamper strategic thinking and planning.

And being a leader is a unique and often lonely journey, marked by high expectations, tough decisions, and a deep sense of responsibility. This solitude intensifies at the intersection of creativity and strategy. Balancing the imaginative with the concrete and the novel with the practical can be a demanding and isolating task.

Moreover, leadership involves the complex task of balancing empathy and decisiveness, creating an internal dissonance often unseen by others. The loneliness of leadership is a testament to these profound challenges and paradoxes leaders grapple with daily.

Today's leaders face the challenge of not just mastering strategy or creativity but harmonizing these seemingly disparate aspects. It's about navigating the paradoxical landscape of strategic and creative leadership while maintaining balance and carrying the weight of solitude. Those who succeed will be equipped to lead in an increasingly complex and uncertain future.

If this resonates, you've seen firsthand the challenges and opportunities that arise when we attempt to traverse the complex terrains of strategic and creative leadership. Drawing from my own experiences, I aim to help strategic leaders tap into their creative potential and creative leaders refine their strategic prowess. This harmonizing of seemingly disparate qualities forms the core of my coaching mission, and it is this journey I invite you to embark upon, transforming your leadership style and impacting your teams and organizations in meaningful ways.
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Working Together


With years of experience both in strategy and creativity, I have walked the tightrope of leadership, embraced its paradoxes, and emerged on the other side with a unique and compelling perspective. I’ve navigated the rigid structures of strategic planning and the unpredictable seas of creativity. These experiences provide me a deep understanding of the challenges you face as a leader. I believe in the fusion of these worlds, there is an untapped potential for extraordinary leadership that can redefine and disrupt traditional norms. As a coach, my goal is to guide you on a journey to tap into this potential, helping you embrace creativity as a strategic leader and hone strategic thinking as a creative leader.

My mission as a leadership coach is straightforward yet powerful: I aim to cultivate great leaders. I’m passionate about building capacity, equipping people to lead at any level, whether you're an executive navigating complex corporate structures or an entrepreneur leading a disruptive start-up. Leadership, to me, is not about titles or hierarchies. It's about influence, impact, and inspiring others to achieve their best.

At the heart of my coaching approach lies empathy, curiosity, and creativity. I’m dedicated to understanding your unique leadership journey—your challenges, your strengths, and your aspirations. I aim to inspire curiosity, encouraging you to question, to explore, and to innovate. Together, we’ll navigate the uncharted territories of your potential, fostering creativity that can revolutionize the way you lead.

My approach to coaching is as unique as the leaders I serve. I combine authenticity with intelligence, providing honest feedback and insights tailored to your specific needs. There is no one-size-fits-all in leadership, and my coaching reflects that understanding. You won’t find gimmicks or buzzwords here; just a committed partnership centered on empowering you to become the leader you aspire to be.

To all strategic leaders wishing to unlock their creative potential, and creative leaders yearning for a more strategic approach, I invite you to embark on a transformative journey with me. Let's together break down the walls that seem to separate strategy and creativity, and explore the vast landscape of leadership that lies beyond. You don't need to walk the leadership path alone. I'm here to guide, to support, and most importantly, to believe in your incredible potential to lead.

Whether you are striving for personal growth, team development, or organizational change, I am ready to partner with you to achieve these goals. Let's reimagine leadership together.

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Multi-modal thought partnership


As my client, I will use three modes to support you:

1_Coach Mode
In this mode, I act as a sounding board to help you unlock inherent potential and power. I’ll push you to dig deep and find the answers from within yourself—through a combination of active listening and Socratic questions.

2_Mentor Mode
In this mode, I share personal and professional experiences I believe you’ll find relevant and illuminating to the matter at hand. My past learnings offer perspective and framing which can be applied to solving your own similiar challenges.

3_Advisor Mode
Even the most ambitious and confident clients sometimes just want to be told how to navigate a situation! In this mode, I will be prescriptive and direct in my advice, offering resources and step-by-step methods.

As my client, you’re in control of the mode, topic, and pace. I will move fluidly between them in real-time as our conversations unfold—letting empathy and our lived experiences guide the relationship.

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Investing in yourself, your team, and your career


If you’re interested in...

  • Real-world contextual learning, scenario-based coaching, actionable feedback, thoughtful discussion, and deep self-reflection

  • Exploring (and defining) what being an authentic leader means to you while cultivating the kind of company culture and psychological safety where people thrive

  • Coaching and support from someone who has been there before and who can help you navigate the dynamics and challenges of people management

...I believe we could be a great fit!

To know for sure, please consider taking some time to complete this client profile. If nothing else, you’ll have a well-articulated framing of where you are today as a design leader. This awareness can be powerful all on its own!

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Pricing and availability


I firmly believe investing in your growth and development as a creative leader is invaluable. My aim is to provide you with the coaching you need to overcome challenges, achieve your goals, and excel in your role.

One-hour sessions are $300 payable via Venmo or PayPal.

I also firmly believe high-quality, culturally-relevant coaching should be accessible to individuals at all income levels. To ensure inclusivity and accommodate a wide range of budgets, I offer a sliding scale fee structure. If my standard fee is not within your means, let’s work together to determine one that could be.

Providing a superior client experience means dedicating ample time and attention to each client to ensure their growth and development. My client focus and limited availability allows me to maintain the highest standards of coaching and deliver the best possible results to those I work with. I appreciate your understanding should I be at capacity when you reach out.

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About me


With 20+ years of experience in small studios, in-house teams, mid-size consultancies, and large agencies, I know what it takes to cultivate company culture, build and lead high-performing teams, and help leaders reach their career goals.

In addition to my indepedent private practice, my formal mentoring experience includes volunteering with AIGA Chicago’s Design Leadership Mentor Program, as a Super Mentor for 1871’s WMNtech Leaders, and as Designer in Residence at Northwestern University’s Segal Design Institute.

Client testimonials are available upon request.