Performance and Leadership Coaching
Accelerate the transformation to your true potential
REALIZE REWARDS
TAKE CONTROL
BOOST WELL-BEING
Have you ever felt that you could achieve more?
I am feeling financially strapped and anxious
I am underemployed in a job or career path that does not leverage my full talent
I feel boxed-in or manipulated given the lack of control I have over my daily work and life
I often feel imposter syndrome and low self-confidence is preventing me from operating at my potential
I am feeling alone as I lack mentorship to provide feedback, accountability and support in safe space
I am struggling to transition from an individual contributor to a leader role
I am not able to stay committed to my personal development plan
I am feeling isolated and alone as I lack a strong professional network to support my career
My current work-life is compromising my well-being and relationships with people who are important to me
I am invisible within my company or industry given that my brand, talent, and experience is not as well-known
I am stuck and unfocused without a plan and support to reach my goals
I feel my options are limited and my livelihood is completely dependent on my current employer
I am an executive that has experienced failure and I need to regain the trust of my team and peers
I am stuck in an identity that now longer serves me, and I don’t know how to move past it.
Take back control of your work life with a transformation designed exactly for you
REALIZE REWARDS
Allocate your energy and talent to earn the rewards most important to you
TAKE CONTROL
Architect a path and options that you control to create freedom
BOOST WELL-BEING
Feel confidence and peace that you are on a path that aligns with your values, passion and talents
Personalized coaching: What is it and how does it work?
Life is not forever. You need a coach who is accessible and supports you when and where you need it. Traditional career coaching is old-school, and not fast enough to deliver the benefits you need to compete in today’s business world. My approach to coaching uses asynchronous and synchronous interactions tailored to your unique needs and challenges.
- Access to your coach: You can send a message, text, or video message when you need help. You will have a direct mobile phone number and get the support you need to guide your progress.
- Check-ins & Accountability: You will share a brief update weekly or bi-weekly. I will review your check-in and provide feedback to shape your plan.
Your Expert Guide to Help You Reach Your Full Potential
Our work-life consumes a significant part of our time. The paths we choose and travel impact our wealth, health, and happiness.
Managing a successful career can be challenging given the demands of our personal life and external forces.
Over the course of my 30+ year career, I have recreated myself multiple times to travel the path that brings out my best self.
As a parent, leader and professional, I relate to how important it is to shaping a career that brings financial success, alignment with your family life, and boosts well-being.
I am here to help you do the same. I love working with people and have deep expertise in the technology sector.
Hear what previous clients have said about working together.
Hi, I’m James Gray
All 5-star reviews for career strategy workshop delivered as an Airbnb Experience
Connected with thousands of professionals at Microsoft leading workshops, coaching and speaking at events
Extensive experience coaching people in the technology sector for 15 years
What Others Say About Working Together
“James’ career workshop was well worth the cost! I learned so much during the time that I spent with him and am so grateful that I decided to sign up for this workshop. He is clearly passionate about helping others develop their careers.”
David
College Student
“James was great! He was very interactive and has clear passion for helping people achieve their dream. We benefited tremendously with James and gave us the jump start to follow through with our goals.”
Karim
Dentist
“It’s past my bedtime, but I couldn’t delay writing James a glowing review. Do yourself a favor and book this experience before he starts charging what this experience is really worth, which is a helluva a lot more. Thanks James.”
Jason
Lawyer
Here is what you get with your coaching program:
Personalized Coaching
- Personalized recommendations to shape the design and execution of your plan
- Time relevant answers to questions you have as you navigate your journey
- Check-ins and accountability on your progress against the actions plan.
Personal Access
- Unlimited 1-on-1 asynchronous messaging interaction to ask questions and get timely feedback
- Easy asynchronous collaboration via a private Slack channel, Google docs, email. Synchronous via video
- Personal mobile phone number
- You will not feel that you are alone on this transformational journey
- Become a member of my LinkedIn network
- Get personal referrals to others in my network for your career transition
- Recommendations on how to improve your LinkedIn profile to earn “all-star” status
- Weekly Product You newsletter on LinkedIn
Career Strategy Framework
- A framework of strategies to productize a career to full potential
- Actual examples of strategies and artifacts to actively manage your career
- References to other resources including books, videos, and podcasts
Product You Newsletter
- Weekly reminders of strategies to shape your transformation
- References to books, podcasts and other career resources
A Mutual Promise
- My testimonials speak for themselves to deliver similar results for you
- No longer than a 24-hr response time when you ask questions or reach out for support
- With hard work, you will get to your next destination
What Are the Benefits to You?
Easy Collaboration
Our collaboration will be easy, effective, and timely as we engage using a private, secure collaboration platform with live video conferencing, chat messaging, and file sharing.
All you need is a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
You will have my personal phone number when you need a quick answer.
A Proven Framework to Guide You
You will have access to the Career Strategy Framework – a process framework of seven strategies that are critical to managing your career. The content is updated monthly and includes written content, audio, and video.
Focused Discussions
A personalized coaching experience will ensure we focus on the areas and issues that are most pressing for you. Using the background information you provide prior to our session, I will be prepared to openly discuss your challenges, goals, and feedback to any specific questions where I have a point of view.
During each coaching interaction, you will receive at least one specific recommendation that addresses unblocking an obstacle you outlined or a topic you wanted help on.
Action Plan
The results of our conversations will feed into a co-authored action plan that will identify activities and deliverables that are required to move you toward your goal(s). The robustness and depth will be based on the number of sessions we work together.
You will gain more clarity and confidence with a plan that is actionable and provides evidence for small wins.
Personalized Coaching
Coaching is unique to your situation and can include:
- Resetting after a layoff to formulate a plan and strategy for a job search.
- Serving as a listener and coach to create accountability.
- Strategically analyzing your expertise to outline a unique value proposition.
- Feedback on transition strategies to reduce friction and move closer to your architected path.
- Outlining a professional development plan to grow key competencies.
- Increasing credibility and name recognition in your company and industry.
- Growing your network and professional brand.
- Strategies to address workplace conflicts and politics.
Accountability
Experience a higher return on your time by delivering on the commitments of your personalized action plan. I will serve as your accountability partner to coach you and hold you accountable for the deliverables and dates we agreed to.
LinkedIn Network
Your network will expand to include highly talented professionals in major tech hubs including San Francisco, Seattle, Austin, and New York City as a member of my LinkedIn network.
This will expand your worldview, potentially open up more job opportunities and build relationships with people you may end up doing business with. I am also connected as an alumnus of the Haas School of Business and the School of Information at the University of California, Berkeley.
How Coaching Works
1. Book
Select and book a coaching plan
2. Transform
We’ll collaborate in live and asynchronous coaching sessions
3. Thrive
You will execute the change plan to realize the rewards most vital to you
Love the most important product of your life – your career
Many people work in jobs where they don’t experience their full potential. With expert career and leadership coaching from James Gray, you’ll accelerate change and productize your talents to deliver the rewards most important to you.
Continue reading ....
As a coach and working professional, I know you who want to be in control of your career with compensation that provides security and options that offer freedom. In order to experience that way of life, you need a career strategy aligned to your unique strengths, a path that offers the rewards you seek, and an action plan to elevate your brand.
The problem is a single book or formula does not exist on how to manage a career in today’s modern world which makes you feel frustrated or pausing a transition. I believe that the strategies, best practices, and routines for managing a career don’t have to be learned by time alone or only accessible to the privileged.
I understand that transitions can be complex, take mental energy, and time. This is why I have coached professionals for over 15 years to share my vast experience and simplify the process.
Here is how we do it:
STEP 1: Apply and enroll in a coaching program.
STEP 2: We will collaborate through video/messaging and live sessions to build an action plan, outline strategies, and hold you accountable to achieve your goals.
STEP 3: You will execute the action plan to accelerate your transformation and realized the rewards most important to you.
Personalized Career and Leadership Coaching
I offer three types of coaching experiences:
- Self-Directed (Free): the Career Strategy Framework and weekly Product You newsletter are free resources for people who prefer reading and listening to content without a commitment.
- Personalized 1:1 (Paid): offered as a subscription, this is different than conventional coaching to free you from hourly rates and long-term commitments. The goal is to get you to your desired state as quickly as possible while providing flexibility to go at a pace that is unique to your situation. One-on-one personalized coaching is for people who value working directly together and want complete flexibility in regard to the level of interaction. I also offer hourly coaching as an option.
- Small group (Paid): these experiences are a fit for those that want to learn and grow with other highly-motivated professionals such as a workgroup. I tailor the content to the needs of the group.
Self-Directed Content
Free access to the Career Strategy Framework and Product You Newsletter
One-on-One Coaching
Direct one-on-one coaching personalized to you. Available to anybody in the world.
Group Coaching
For small groups that seek a tailored coaching experience – contact me
Still, have questions? -> See the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)