Testimonials

I really enjoyed the process. It was an excellent six months, and an experience that will stay with me for a long time. Despite all my years of leadership experience, it's always good to reflect again. Leadership is a continual process of renewal and re-establishing the base-line. I'm always working on myself and there's always more to learn. As soon as you think you you're "there", you're not."

Jim C. — VP, Projects, Avangrid

“Coaching with Iris has helped me slow down, get clearer about where I have leverage, and be more intentional about how and why I show up for our team in a moment of sustained change. I went into the process feeling uncertain of where I could have impact and why my role mattered. I lacked clarity in defining what I was contributing, and I didn’t fully understand the degree to which my contributions mattered. I wasn’t sure that the things I most cared about were going to be important to our future strategy. Things felt murky! But Iris helped me figure out how to define what impact I could have, link it to my personal values, and take responsibility for building the relationships that let me better plug in. To wit: I was able to take a more proactive approach, building on the assumption that my perspective is unique and can have impact.”

Jessi H. — Senior Editor, LinkedIn

At my level, I’m always thinking about growth, development and driving the business, but Iris helped me pause and think about it in different ways. This process really challenged me to think about what I’m doing and how I’m doing it. I’m getting the results I wanted and I’ve learned that progress is not just about the numbers we’re getting, it’s how we’re getting them.”

Kash I. — GVP, GM, ACS North America, Oracle

This experience was phenomenal. Iris had just the right touch with me – everything from being a sounding board to helping me work on specific actions like relating better to the team and navigating the company and Board dynamics. My commitment to coaching is something I will continue to do going forward, and I’ve already marked out the time on my calendar for the rest of the year. Every executive should do this every few years. You need to refresh on what you’re doing, or you can get lost in the business and lose touch with yourself, the team, and the organization. I learned to ask myself whether I’m looking at my team’s careers in the right way, not just about the business but about them as individuals, inside and outside the organization. And one of the most personal takeaways for me was that Iris let the process be organic learning – self-discovery with encouragement!”

Mike P. — EVP Connectivity, Anuvu

I don’t feel like I’m drowning any more. This experience was transformative.”

Cory P. — Vice President of R&D, Diabetes, Bio Rad Laboratories

Iris helped me do exactly what I needed to do. She convinced me to try things I wouldn’t have done at all, but she pushed and encouraged me in the right way. Many projects like this move on and fade away but the work we’ve done together is already having an impact on the organization. How I’ve started to approach things differently will help others on my team and have an impact on the business.”

Donna F. — AstraZeneca, Vice President, Dosage Design & Development

I look at things so differently today from when Iris and I first started talking. Now I’m understanding from the corporate side how things work. One of the main eye-openers for me was how Iris would flip the perspective and reset the way I was viewing the situation. I learned how to look at the company holistically, from various perspectives, not just from my business unit concerns. Learning how to get that broader view has been an extremely valuable experience.”

Jayson C. — President, Panasonic Connect

“Iris is the ultimate champion of career transition and development. As a seasoned executive in the sports and entertainment industry, I was going through a difficult career transition and Iris immediately helped me identify clear strategic goals, deepen my purpose and reestablish my own brand as an industry executive. Always in my corner, Iris provided me with the consistent guidance, leadership development and executive communications that produced successful results. Not only is Iris a remarkably talented coach, she’s also an incredibly genuine, kindhearted person. Without reservation, I highly recommend Iris Gelt Warner to any professional looking to improve their marketability and transition their career (and life) to the next level.”

Everett J — VP/Head of Business Development, The Montag Group

The coaching engagement made me feel accountable to my new manager, my team, and to myself in a new way. Going through this experience was very impactful and helped me realize that there wasn’t anything wrong with me or with my leadership ability, but that I needed to develop a clear sense of self and leadership style. As I continue to gain confidence and strengthen my presence on the leadership team, I’m getting better feedback and more recognition than ever before.”

Mike M. — Vice President, Global Infrastructure, Kelly Services

This has been a very happy time for me. Without having done the work with you, I wouldn’t have been prepared to make a decision about anything, and I wouldn’t be where I am now, moving my life forward. I have a feeling of possibility and excitement every day. I can’t wait to get this new thing going. I wish I would have done this and had support like you earlier in my career. Nobody should wait till they’re in middle age or mid-career to do this. I would say to any company that this should be a built-in service because the return on investment is infinite.”

Shawn K. — EVP & COO, California Resources Corporation