people ARE the center of everything we do…
Hi, I’m Charles
Executive coach, leadership development expert, engineer, and life-long ‘People Nerd!’
I help aspiring and established leaders rediscover and engage untapped potential to expand their leadership influence and impact for accelerated advancement.
My Journey…
For nearly three decades, I led high-performing engineering teams at AMD, IBM, Sun Microsystems, Ericsson, two startups, and an engineering consulting firm. I experienced firsthand, the rewards and challenges of leadership in fast-paced, high-stakes environments. Along the way, I witnessed even the most talented engineers and leaders limited by ordinary, or even counterproductive, people skills.
Embracing our unique humanity…
My own turning point came with a realization that I didn’t like the leader I was becoming — driving to unrealistic deadlines, micromanaging, and starting to dehumanize employees as ‘resources’ rather than people. I was reminded that real leadership isn’t about being the smartest in the room, having all the answers, or asserting power and authority for results at any cost. The Leadership approach I have leaned deeply into is about inspiring people, building mutual trust, and creating environments that foster collaborative growth and innovation to evoke seemingly magical results.
My fascination for such an approach ultimately led me to pursue an advanced degree in Adult Development, followed by training and certifications in coaching, personality assessment, and emotional intelligence development.
I’ve leveraged all this education and training for my own leadership and in my coaching to repeatedly witness how leading with dignity and empathy can yield truly exceptional team engagement, organizational impact, and leadership recognition.
If this resonates … technology needs more Humanizing Leaders like YOU !!!
Before meeting Charles, I had lost joy and fulfillment in my career. He quickly recognized my potential, and helped me forge a new path. His recognition and mentorship helped me gain confidence, embrace my value, and discover a passion for learning and growth. Charles embodies the best qualities of a coach and leader, and I can now say that I am truly happy in both work and life.
Why work with me?
Throughout my own developmental journey, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring and coaching hundreds of aspiring and established leaders (from individual contributors to C-suite executives)—helping elevate their influence and impact through deeper self-awareness, heightened energy, and enhanced stakeholder relationships.
My approach blends deep technical leadership experience with a passion for deeper human connection in a practical, evidence-based process tailored individually to each client and the realities of leading within fast-paced, high-stakes environments.
Whether you’re looking to communicate more effectively, navigate organizational dynamics, or more fully engage your team, I can help you develop exceptional people skills to truly differentiate your leadership.
My structured process is designed to:
- Deepen self-awareness and elevate emotional intelligence
- Refine stakeholder feedback into actionable growth
- Strengthen abilities to build trust and influence
- Evoke empathy, authenticity, and confidence through your leadership
Just a few short months ago I struggled with stress-management, emotional reactivity, and constant anxiety. Charles helped illuminate my main motivators and key traits, and when/how to utilize them as my guiding compass. With his guidance I developed emotional fortitude that helped me withstand uncertainty and self-doubt throughout the process.
I’ve experienced a significant improvement in my self-worth, professional contribution, and skill development while, and since, working with Charles. While struggles are an inevitable part of self-development and growth, I feel really good knowing I now have an arsenal of tools to help me manage them moving forward!
Could You Benefit from a Coach Like Me ?
I am fluent in helping Technology Leaders like you cultivate deep stakeholder connection to build and sustain strategic relationships to amplify engagement and collective impact…
Dealing with external pressures, a lack of recognition, anxious stakeholder interactions, workday prioritization, and other work stressors, I wasn’t sure coaching would have any meaningful impact on my day-to-day experience.
Through coaching, I experienced considerable positive change with my job performance, my energy, and my mood, especially during stressful periods. I have a better understanding of my own skills and capabilities, even noticing a significant impact on my ability to influence others. I can better recognize elements stressing me and can react more assertively and appropriately to external pressure, leveraging new tools and skills at my disposal effectively to turn pressure into success.
Charles is an empathetic coach providing alternative points of view and very actionable feedback. He offered a variety of tools and possible solutions for the challenges I presented in our discussions.
A Bit More About Me …
Pastimes
When I’m not learning … I can feel like I’m dying!
A lifelong learner, even my hobbies are progressive cycles of deep learning and application—it’s as much about the learning process, as any knowledge or skill resulting from that process.
My current pastimes are shared in other tabs, though in time, I’ll return to these prior pursuits as well:
- leather craft
- woodworking
- ceramics
- sewing and quilting
- gardening
- bonsai and orchids
Yes, I am a Foodie!
I love experiencing new flavors, varied cuisines, interesting fusions, and elevated versions of traditional favorites. Though when finding a great new restaurant dish, I tend to latch on to it and forgo other menu items.
I also find cooking and baking to be a tremendous learning experience — researching varied recipes to inspire my own unique creations. This often requires finding new tips, techniques, or tools to deliver a delightful result.
While posts are sporadic, you check out some of my creations on Instagram: @charlesplayswithfood.
Because sometimes we just need to chillax!
The number of quality stories served up by streaming services provides me an efficient escape from the stresses of real life.
My viewing spans many genres of TV and movies – though I tend toward mystery & intrigue, police procedural, dark comedy, sitcom, romcom, science fiction, and period or historical drama.
I also really enjoy certain reality competition shows—such as the British Baking Show (aka Bake-off), the Great Pottery Throw-down, Project Runway, and Master Chef Kids—that are entertaining, uplifting, and educational.
A fascinating fusion of art & science!
I dabble in photography and amateur astronomy. Recently, I have delved into a deep learning well combining these interests through astrophotography.
My terrestrial photography subjects are landscapes, objects, & food. Given the light pollution of the city, my astrophotography subjects will likely be solar, lunar, and planetary. Below is my first attempt at capturing the Sun’s chromosphere with accompanying prominence and flare.
Credentials
Prior to working with Charles, my main struggles were communicating my boundaries effectively, communicating in a timely manner, and turning thought into action.
Informal, conversational sessions helped me understand how different tasks interact with my energy levels, and how I can reframe issues to tackle them in a productive way and not feel drained by them. It felt like troubleshooting workflow rather than trying to rebuild my personality around what is traditionally considered desirable in the workplace.
Now I can better manage my energy levels and am able to express my work boundaries in a non confrontational way that still gets the results I want. I am also more equipped to lean on my strengths to approach difficult tasks in a more productive way.
Charles’ ability to pick up on nuance and provide quick actionable advice (that actually works!) made the experience worthwhile and gave me confidence to move through my tasks in a way that works for me.
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Ready for coaching but not sure which program will benefit your situation?
Request your initial consultation today to discuss how we might work together and accelerate advancement toward your goals …
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