Teams & Organizations
I work with organizations in two ways: coaching individual leaders, and offering talks, workshops, and retreats for teams. Both draw on 25 years of leadership experience at companies including Apple, Microsoft, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Google.
Executive coaching
Many organizations bring me on to coach key leaders – whether they're navigating a critical transition, stepping into a bigger role, or leading through a period of rapid change. This is the same deep, one-on-one work I do with individual clients, but sponsored by the organization and shaped to its context.
I help leaders develop the clarity and steadiness to make better decisions, communicate more effectively, and sustain high performance in a way that's actually sustainable.
As an outside coach informed by decades inside organizations ranging from Fortune 100 companies to early-stage startups – and extensive experience with non-profits as well as for-profits – I bring a perspective that only an outsider with deep insider experience can offer. An outside relationship also creates a level of trust and candor that can be hard to establish with someone inside the organization, giving leaders a genuinely confidential space to think out loud.
Engagements typically begin with a scoping conversation to understand the organization's goals and identify the right leaders to work with. From there, coaching follows a six-month cadence of twice-monthly sessions, with communication in between as needed. That's a typical structure, but I'm open to other models – some clients prefer to meet every week. I'm happy to provide periodic updates to the sponsoring stakeholder, while keeping the content of individual sessions confidential.
More about the coaching process →
You can also download a one-page overview to share internally: Coaching overview (PDF)
Background
I spent 25 years building and leading teams at Apple, Microsoft, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Google. I sit on the boards of both for-profit companies and non-profit organizations, and I'm a trustee of Naropa University. I've coached and advised leaders across technology, finance, healthcare, and the non-profit sector.
I'm also an author (Buddha's Office, Buddha's Diet), a trained meditation teacher, and a faculty member at the Esalen Institute. This combination of hands-on leadership experience and contemplative training gives me a different lens on the challenges leaders face – one grounded in both the realities of organizational life and a deeper attention to how people actually think, communicate, and make decisions.
Talks, workshops, and retreats
I also work with organizations through talks, retreats, and both onsite and offsite programs. These are shaped to the context and the people in the room, and may include teaching, conversation, open Q&A, or guided practices that are welcoming and accessible, including for those with no prior experience.
Topics
- Leading through complexity – Building the capacity to stay grounded and make clear decisions when the pace is relentless and the stakes are high.
- Culture and alignment – Creating the conditions for honest dialogue, shared purpose, and the kind of trust that retains senior talent.
- Navigating transitions – Reorganizations, leadership changes, strategic pivots. Helping teams move through uncertainty with clarity about what's ending, what's emerging, and what needs to be carried forward.
Formats
Talks
Single-session keynotes or fireside conversations, 45–90 minutes. Ideal for team meetings, offsites, or conferences.
Workshops
Half-day or full-day sessions combining teaching, guided practice, and group dialogue.
Retreats
Multi-day offsites for deeper exploration, team connection, and renewal.
Experience
I've coached leaders and led programs at Uber, Apple, Instagram, and LinkedIn, as well as at institutions such as the Asian Art Museum, across sectors including technology, finance, and healthcare.
I've spoken at conferences including Wisdom 2.0 and Inner MBA, and at corporate events at companies including Facebook and Google.
If you're exploring a talk, workshop, or retreat, here's a one-page overview you can share internally: Programming overview (PDF)
Get started
Whether you're interested in coaching for your leaders or exploring a talk, workshop, or retreat, the next step is a brief scoping conversation. We'll discuss your goals, and I can put together a proposal or provide references as needed.