WISE MIND LEADERSHIP
Applying the science of relationships toward leadership excellence
We partner with founders and senior executives to enhance their leadership capabilities through evidence-based emotional and interpersonal principles. As psychologists, we integrate neuroscience, social psychology, and behavioral insights, gained from years of experience working with leaders across various industries. Through increasing self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and communication skills, we empower clients with practical tools and motivation to build and lead resilient high performing teams.
Our Approach:
We clarify purpose and vision, assess core leadership strengths and limitations, teach and model proven skill sets, and track progress toward specific goals that drive personal purpose and company vision. The structure of this work is defined by the specific needs of the individual or organization and recommended during the initial assessment. Our services are tailored to highly motivated individuals and teams, where readiness for coaching is key to success.
The mental health of employees costs companies millions annually due to poor retention, burnout, absenteeism, and low productivity. We view these issues as symptoms of breakdowns further upstream. Our targeted approach identifies and addresses these issues directly, building leaders who can develop more profitable and resilient teams. This investment in internal and interpersonal “infrastructure” pays back dividends by increasing efficiency and productivity and making the experience of leadership far more rewarding.
Leadership is not merely a title; it is a skill set that can be cultivated.
-
Team culture and performance can transform profoundly when leaders prioritize listening, understanding, and inspiring people toward a shared vision. Our experience has proven that self-awareness and relational intelligence are foundational competencies for effective leadership. We are passionate about empowering leaders who strive to understand their blind spots, engage in challenging conversations, and use their emotions to build trust in order to create more successful and psychologically healthier work cultures.
Flagship Service: In-Depth Leadership Consulting
Overview: Our flagship service provides comprehensive, personalized support designed to drive substantial and sustainable leadership growth. We offer tailored guidance to enhance your leadership skills, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotional intelligence.
Benefits:
Personalized Growth: In-depth exploration of your leadership style, strengths, and areas for improvement.
Strategic Goal Setting: Development of actionable plans to achieve both personal and organizational objectives.
Enhanced Team Dynamics: Improved communication and conflict resolution skills to foster a more collaborative and effective team environment.
Resilience Building: Techniques to manage stress and maintain high performance in demanding situations.
Investment: This is designed for leaders who are committed to long-term growth and ready to invest in their development for meaningful and lasting results.
-
Wes Pederson, PhD
FOUNDER
I have developed founders, executives, and leaders for the over a decade through my work with the Hero’s Journey Foundation, Stanford Graduate School of Business, and the Wise Mind Institute. My approach is informed by my deep personal and professional specialization in self-actualization and authentic relationship as well as my own experience over two decades as a Founder. I have worked with executives in a variety of industries including education, financial services, healthcare, and technology. I live and work in the San Francisco Bay Area.
-
Louiza Livschitz, PsyD
PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT
As a seasoned psychologist, I’ve worked with clients across various industries to develop leadership styles that are not only effective but also genuinely reflective of each individual’s unique qualities. I’m passionate about helping leaders to not just gain insights but to make meaningful changes that bridge the gap between understanding and actionable improvement.
My approach is shaped by my upbringing in a family of serial entrepreneurs and my competitive experiences on the US National Chess team, instilling a deep understanding of high pressure situations, innovation, grit, and resilience. My gradate research at Stanford deepened my knowledge of high achievers’ dynamics and their relationship to success. This academic foundation complements my practical experience, allowing me to help clients not only understand the underlying reasons behind their behaviors but also challenge the narratives that shape their lives. Based in San Francisco Bay Area and San Diego.
Key Areas of Focus in WML Leadership Consulting
Our approach covers a range of critical topics designed to meet specific leadership challenges and enhance organizational effectiveness:
Each focus area is tailored to promote not just personal growth but also to drive meaningful organizational change, ensuring leaders are well-prepared to handle both current and future challenges.
-
Develop crucial skills in empathy, self-regulation, and emotion management to enhance leadership impact, strengthen relationships, and improve productivity.
-
Identify key strengths and areas for improvement to leverage and address effectively.
-
Learn the art of validation to energize relationships and enhance trust and collaboration within your team.
-
Enhance communication, active listening, and assertiveness to boost team cohesion and workplace productivity.
-
Support individuals navigating new roles with structured guidance and strategic planning to ensure a smooth transition and sustained performance.
-
Guide leaders in setting and achieving realistic, sustainable, and impactful goals to align with personal aspirations and organizational objectives.
-
Implement strategies to manage and resolve team conflicts, enhancing team dynamics and workplace synergy.
-
Improve team collaboration and communication to boost performance and achieve organizational goals with less effort.
-
Equip leaders with techniques to manage stress and build resilience in high-pressure environments.
-
As psychologists, we are experts in understanding people, systems, and human behavior. We specialize in creating the conditions for honest conversations around growth edges, goals, and the necessary dialogues for self-improvement. Our expertise lies in providing actionable feedback that can be effectively received and applied. Leadership consulting relies heavily on fostering psychological and interpersonal insight. Unlike many leadership coaches, our doctoral training and extensive experience as psychologists allow us to offer deeper and more comprehensive coaching. Our background equips us to address complex leadership challenges effectively, driving impactful and sustainable results.
Evidence-based Impact of Leadership Coaching:
Our approach is validated by extensive research, demonstrating significant benefits across various organizational metrics.
Key Findings:
1.) Return on Investment (ROI): Research indicates that 86% of companies recoup their investment in coaching, with some achieving returns as high as 700% (Source: ICF Global Coaching Client Study, 2020).
2.) Boost in Productivity: Organizations report a 53% increase in productivity after engaging in coaching services (Source: Manchester Review, 2017).
3.) Organizational Effectiveness: 70% of companies experience noticeable improvements in organizational effectiveness through coaching (Source: Manchester Review, 2017).
4.) Enhanced Leadership Skills: Executive coaching has been shown to improve leadership effectiveness by 60% (Source: Harvard Business Review, 2016).
5.) Employee Retention: Coaching contributes to a 20-25% increase in employee retention rates (Source: Journal of Management Development, 2018).
6.) Improved Communication: 70% of leaders enhance their communication skills following coaching (Source: Institute of Coaching, 2019).
7.) Higher Job Satisfaction: 60% of executives report greater job satisfaction after coaching (Source: ICF Global Coaching Client Study, 2020).
8.) Goal Achievement: A significant 58% of coaching clients successfully reach their professional goals (Source: American Management Association, 2017).
9.) Leadership Development: 90% of executives report improved leadership skills after participating in coaching (Source: Center for Creative Leadership, 2019).