Russell Johnson & Associates

At Russell Johnson & Associates, we support our clients in attaining their full potential for fulfillment and self-actualization. Our methodology, tools, one-to-one consulting, and coaching are designed to meet the complex needs of executives and entrepreneurs. 

Our clients develop the clarity, strategy, tactics, mindset, skills, and confidence necessary to achieve objectives ranging from accelerated advancement to major career change. And we provide ongoing long-term support for further career growth.

WHAT WE STAND FOR

We are dedicated to empowering the individual because our world needs the full contribution of us all, and we all benefit from maximizing the value we create. 

Because services such as recruitment and outplacement are funded by employers, they perpetuate a distortion of the balance of power between the employer and the individual. Superficial services focused on employers' objectives leave countless high-potential people disempowered, unfulfilled, and not knowing why. Yet with career paths becoming ever more complex, we all need to see our career as our business and operate with the attributes of a successful business. 

We aim to help make this the ‘new normal’ rather than the rare exception.

WHAT WE DO

We help our clients develop the empowered mindset, vision, clarity, strategy, tactics, self-marketing skills, and confidence to achieve their full potential for contribution and self-actualization.

Our clients become free from the artificial constraints of the advertised job market. Whether they continue on their current paths, change direction, leave their jobs for self-employment, or vice versa, there’s a lasting difference. Through deepened awareness, clarity, and the skills to capitalize on these, they are no longer trapped in unsuitable careers. 

They work for purposes they want to serve and in roles where they can make their full contribution and enjoy the lives they want.

Founder and CEO

Empowered Careers

Empowered Careers helps people in early professional careers who find themselves stuck in unsatisfying roles to create fulfilling futures. 

Our philosophy corresponds to that of Russell Johnson & Associates, the firm through which we provide the extensive one-to-one support that senior-level clients need.

EPR Careers

I founded EPR Careers after a long search for career fulfillment when the experiences of a takeover at Arby's led me to acknowledge that I needed a new and more fulfilling career path than the corporate one I had been on. 

I was attracted to the autonomy of self-employment; however, I committed to supporting the transition to new ownership at Arby's and stayed on for two more years. Then, I left to devote full time to the search for the transformation I wanted.

I sought high-quality career support but was unable to find it in either the US or my home country, Australia. Recognizing that many executives and professionals needed such support, I established EPR Careers, initially with a partner whose experience in owning a recruitment business added another perspective to mine.
  
Over the ensuing 22 years, I developed a team with offices in Melbourne and Sydney, and we provided services throughout Australia and internationally. I led the development of EPR's services, continually refined our methodology, and built the firm into a global leader in its field. 

I focused on developing and refining our unique approach and we helped many thousands of self-funded clients to achieve their objectives. However, the business model needed more work. 

Others saw opportunities in this and the business was acquired in 2014 by a consortium of staff and former clients. They ultimately closed the firm in 2016. Meanwhile, I reflected on the lessons of my 22 years at the helm of EPR and subsequently launched a new firm incorporating those lessons.

Founder and Managing Director

Arby's

Founded in 1964, Arby’s was an established quick-service restaurant chain, part of the Fortune 500 and New York Stock Exchange-listed Royal Crown group. I joined the company as Director of Franchising with a mandate to expand the franchise system after a decade of stagnation and failed attempts to restart it. 

Over the next six years, I built a high-performing team and transformed the attractiveness of the franchise system and the strength of the Arby's brand. 

Led all franchising activities including planning, marketing, sales, administration, site selection and acquisition, financing, construction, fit-out of restaurant premises, franchisee induction and training, ongoing operational support, and relationships between the company and its franchisees. 

The chain was transformed from a laggard in the restaurant industry into one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing franchise systems and experienced its golden era. I advanced to Chief Franchising Officer and Senior Vice President, reporting to the CEO as equal number two executive of the company. 

Major Achievements:
•	Developed rigorous systems for franchisee support 
•	Quadrupled the number of franchisees
•	Achieved growth of well over 200 new restaurants annually, making the company one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing restaurant chains, employing over 50,000 people, with over 1,850 restaurants and more than 200 under development
•	Despite the turmoil of a takeover in 1984 and over a year without a CEO, the company was independently and repeatedly ranked in the top ten of the approximately 3,000 franchise systems in the U.S. at the time
•	With a new restaurant opening every 39 hours on average, Arby’s became recognized as the most significant turnaround of the period in the American restaurant industry, and one of the greatest franchising success stories of the era.

Chief Franchising Officer and Senior Vice President

International Multifoods Corporation

Joined the Franchise Division of International Multifoods, a Minneapolis, MN-based Fortune 500 and New York Stock Exchange-listed company in a head office role. After gaining initial franchising experience, relocated to Atlanta GA, managing franchise development in the Southern region of the US. Subsequently declined promotion to Director of Franchising at head office and instead accepted a role at the same level but with greater potential at Arby’s Inc.

Managed development of fast food franchises in several regions of the U.S. and in Canada.
	Selected franchisees and sites
	Assisted franchisees in real estate, financing and construction negotiations

Regional Franchise Manager

Unfulfilling executive career? Transform it before it traps you.

At 14, I was pulled out of school to get my first full-time job by a family crisis.

That disruption sparked a long journey through many industries and layers of the working world.

From office work to construction and self-employment in Australia, study in the UK and ministry in Africa, then from sales to senior executive roles in the US.

At Arby’s, I advanced to Chief Franchising Officer and led its transformation to one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains globally. 

With a new location opening every 39 hours, we were rated in the Top 10 of over 3,000 franchise systems in the US. 

Then, a corporate takeover harmed the culture.

I resigned to find a meaningful new path, then stayed on for a nearly tripled income. 

Two years later, I resigned again, to buy or create a business aligned with my values.

A few months on, I realized I was lost. 

I sought high-level, values and vision-based career support, and couldn’t find that either.

But that experience led me to finally recognize my calling—to fill that market gap.

Since then, I have spent decades helping executives worldwide align their careers with their deeper values and awaken their dormant clarity, confidence, energy and impact.

My colleagues and I have guided thousands through critical transitions, enabling them to align their careers with who they truly are—and with what they most want to contribute. 

I do this work because I believe that society needs more leaders doing work they find personally meaningful. 

And that begins with taking charge of their careers, rather than surrendering them to systems that meet their lower needs but not their higher aspirations. 

If you’re ready to reimagine what your career can be, let’s explore what’s possible.

📅 Schedule a conversation: https://rjacareers.com/schedule-a-call-rj/

Russell Johnson

Stuck in career quicksand? 
 
It's not necessarily your fault. 
 
Consider this: Analysis paralysis is often seen as the villain, freezing us in our tracks. But what if it's actually your superpower? 
 
In a world obsessed with speed, taking your time to analyze might in fact be your edge. 
 
It’s a characteristic of thoughtful people who don’t settle too easily. 
 
Yet too much of a good thing can be harmful. The trick lies in finding the balance. 
 
Start by setting a 'decision deadline'. Give yourself the freedom to explore options, but with a clear end in sight. 
 
Next, embrace the 'good enough' principle. Perfection is an illusion. Aim for progress, not perfection. 
 
And recognize and implement the power of iteration. We are living in times of rapid change. We need to be nimble. 
 
Finally, tap into your support network. Sometimes, a fresh perspective is all it takes to break the cycle of overthinking. 
 
Your analytical mind is a gift. Use it wisely. 
 
Ready to turn your analytical inclination into your career superpower? 
 
Let's break free from the quicksand, together. 
 
Engage below if you're ready for a shift. 
 
~~ 
 
𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘧𝘶𝘭, 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘵. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘦, Russell Johnson 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴. 

#SelfActualizedLeadership #LeadWithPurpose #LeadershipDevelopment

Tatiana Rueff Coaching and Consulting

Partnering with senior leaders and teams to navigate high-stakes transitions and drive sustainable performance.
My approach bridges business strategy and human leadership — enabling clients to navigate complexity, build resilient teams, and deliver results without burnout.

I support leaders and organisations to:
➤ Navigate critical transitions — from career crossroads and reorganisations to stepping into executive roles with clarity, confidence, and impact.
➤ Transform team dynamics — reducing friction and burnout, and fostering cultures of performance, trust, and psychological safety.
➤ Align business and leadership strategy — ensuring leadership capabilities turn strategic vision into measurable results.

Corporate Partnership & Advisory Areas:
• Organisational Culture & Change Management
• Leadership & Learning Programme Design (L&D)
• Employer Branding & Employee Value Proposition (EVP)
• People & Culture Strategy for the AI Era
• Executive Team & Board Advisory

Key Achievements & Impact:
• Delivered 500+ hours of coaching, guiding senior leaders through career and organisational transformations.
• Designed and led tailored leadership programmes, improving team cohesion and performance.
• Recognised as a Top Leadership Voice on LinkedIn (10K+ followers, Top 100 Creators in Switzerland).

If you’re leading through transition or transformation, I help you turn pressure into clarity, confidence, and sustainable growth.

Executive Coach and Strategy Consultant

Syngenta Group

• Led, coached, and mentored the Global Branding Team (8 direct reports), defining the strategic vision for product and service brands across a complex $17.6B business portfolio.
• Championed a global culture of innovation and continuous learning, embedding new processes and best-in-class practices for brand creation across the organisation.
• Spearheaded the digital transformation of the brand's content strategy, orchestrating customer-centric B2B and B2C content development to unify the brand experience.

Global Branding Team Lead 

General Mills

• Managed a key portfolio of 6 Yoplait consumer brands while simultaneously leading the Private Label business for the entire Europe region.
• Held strategic responsibility for the holistic margin management (HMM) of the overall Yoplait portfolio, covering 15+ brands and 3 European manufacturing plants.

Senior Regional Brand Manager Yoplait

• Upon promotion, led and mentored a team of Associate Brand Managers, earning the Gold Award from the VP of Marketing for a leadership style rooted in creativity and collaboration.
• Drove brand innovation by leading the redesign of Betty Crocker across Europe & Australia, launching a premium product range, and delivering a successful new communication campaign.
• Advanced corporate culture and DEI by co-leading women's leadership initiatives, serving as team coach for the organisation's longest-lasting "Lean In Circle", and heading the Nyon Philanthropy Network.

Senior Regional Brand Manager Baking Platform Europe&Australia

• Led a cross-functional team to deliver 9% top-line and double-digit bottom-line growth, earning the prestigious General Mills Regional Champions Award for over-delivering on all KPIs.
• Managed a complex, high-stakes supply chain transformation, relocating production of 35 product lines and delivering over $10MM in savings.

Regional Brand Manager Betty Crocker - Europe & Australasia

• Revitalised the brand to deliver continuous double-digit growth through a comprehensive strategy of new product innovation, core range renovation, and a full packaging redesign.

Regional Brand Manager Nature Valley - Europe & Australasia

Procter & Gamble

• Drove three consecutive years of double-digit growth, elevating GUCCI Parfums to a $500MM+ global brand.
• Increased global market share and ROI by 7% through optimised marketing investment.
• Led global brand strategy, innovation campaigns, and market-specific growth plans across Travel Retail, North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and Europe.
• Delivered iconic brand activations, including award-winning Chinese New Year campaigns and Mega-podium experiences.
• Spearheaded global organisational initiatives for P&G Prestige, including business planning, training, and budget innovation.

Global Marketing Manager GUCCI Parfums

• Translated global strategy into impactful local activations, delivering +3pts market share growth with “Gift the Magic” holiday campaign.
• Managed $7MM+ marketing budget across four prestige brands, partnering with fashion houses and leading multifunctional teams.
• Awarded “Best Customer Christmas Team” for record-breaking sales results with L’Etoile.

Senior Marketing Manager Russia Lacoste, Escada, Baldessarini, Dunhill Parfums

• Owned strategy and execution for Pantene across Eastern Europe, leading cross-functional teams and agency collaboration.
• Managed end-to-end brand plans, media, and performance tracking to strengthen local brand equity.

Junior Marketing Manager Eastern Europe Pantene

GlaxoSmithKline

• Coordinated key promotional materials, sample logistics, and Sales Force Excellence projects across commercial teams.
• Delivered data-driven sales and marketing reports, supporting strategic decisions through dashboards, analysis, and stakeholder presentations.

Commercial Development Department Coordinator

Social Researches and Innovations Center

• Oversaw HR administration, contract management, and compliance for public tenders.
• Managed full-cycle project coordination and internal communication across education and research initiatives.

HR Manager and Project Coordinator

Publishing House “The Whole World”

• Translated economic literature from English into Russian with a focus on clarity and accuracy for national publication.

Translator

Getting Senior Leaders to Optimal Performance and Sustainable Growth Without Burnout

You’re a driven leader — ambitious, high-performing, and committed to growth. You’ve earned your place. But with every new role, bigger scope, or transformation project, the pressure to deliver multiplies. ⤵️

Here’s what that can look like:
▶ You’ve stepped into a new or expanded role and want to make an impact fast
▶ You’re leading a major transformation and need your team aligned and performing
▶ You’re navigating complex dynamics — new stakeholders, shifting priorities, and constant pressure to deliver

These are the moments that make or break leaders. This is when:
– Clarity keeps you focused
– Confidence keeps you grounded
– Resilience keeps you growing

👉 That’s where I come in.

I help senior leaders and teams accelerate success in new roles or high-stakes transitions — transforming pressure into clarity, confidence, and sustainable growth.

Through a blend of executive coaching, team coaching, and leadership workshops, I help you:

✔️ Deliver results faster — without losing focus or wellbeing
✔️ Lead effectively through complexity, transition, and change
✔️ Strengthen leadership presence and strategic communication
✔️ Build trust, resilience, and alignment across teams

With 17+ years in Fortune 500 organisations (P&G, General Mills, GSK, Syngenta), I understand the realities of high-stakes leadership — demanding roles, constant change, and the pressure to perform.

Today, as an Executive Coach (ICF PCC, EMCC Senior Practitioner), I combine that experience with evidence-based coaching to help leaders and teams thrive — achieving sustainable growth under pressure.

🌍 Who I work with:

▶ Senior leaders stepping into new or bigger roles
▶ Executives leading transformation, restructuring, or cultural change
▶ Teams that need focus, clarity, and collaboration under pressure

🌟 My clients often tell me they gain not just clarity and stronger performance — but renewed energy, confidence, and impact in both work and life.

I’ve seen newly promoted executives inspire their teams through rapid change, senior leaders reignite their growth into higher-impact roles, and leadership teams build resilience and results — sustaining focus and wellbeing.

➡️ If you’re stepping into a bigger role or leading through change, let’s talk.
Message me here on LinkedIn to explore how I can support you or your team.

——
🌐 tatianarueff.com
📩 tatiana@tatianarueff.com

——
Need a speaker or workshop for your team?
I deliver keynotes and workshops on leading through high-stakes transitions — helping leaders sustain performance, clarity, and growth under pressure.

Tatiana Rueff

𝐈 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤 - 
not just a day.
My husband wanted to create a truly memorable experience, and he did. 

From standing next to the tallest building in the world, 
to riding camels in the desert, 
to finding snow in the mountains - 
it was an unforgettable mix of contrasts.

But what stayed with me most wasn’t the places.

It was the 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 - 
the deep human connections, the laughter, 
and the quiet spaces where time seemed to slow down.

Many of us love to work hard.
We’re driven, dedicated, and proud of what we achieve. 

But to 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘺 - 
to lead, create, and show up fully - 
we also need moments that refill us.

Time to recharge your batteries.
Time to come back to yourself.
Time to feel inspired again.
And time with those you love - to simply be.

No one ever said joy has to fit into a weekend, a day, or an hour.
You can let it last as long as you wish.

There are no rules - 
only what feels right for you in that moment.

P.S: How do you recharge your energy and keep your life joyful?

Guiding Leaders & Teams Through High-Stakes Transitions | From Pressure to Clarity, Confidence & Sustainable Growth | Executive & Leadership Coach (ICF PCC) | Ex-Fortune 500

Tatiana Rueff, executive and leadership coach, in an elegant blue dress standing near the Burj Khalifa in Dubai at night, with city lights and reflections on the water in the background.

Last week at 𝐃𝐮𝐛𝐚𝐢 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤, 
I had one of those moments that stay with you.

I watched a master artisan from Van Cleef & Arpels working on an enamel dial - each layer of colour applied with precision you could barely see with the naked eye.

From where I stood, it looked beautiful.

But when she invited me to look through her microscope, 
it became something else entirely - 
alive with detail, texture, 
and depth I couldn’t have imagined before.

It made me think about leadership.

So often, leaders get used to 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘.

Some stay 𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒉𝒊𝒈𝒉 𝒖𝒑 - 
seeing patterns, strategy, the big picture - 
but missing the nuances that make things work.

Others stay 𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒆 - 
immersed in every detail, but losing sight of where they’re heading.

True clarity often comes from 𝒎𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒃𝒐𝒕𝒉.

From knowing when to zoom out, and when to zoom in.
From shifting perspective - 
not just to look differently, but to understand differently.

Because whether you’re leading people, change, or yourself - 
a small change in perspective can transform how you see the 𝒘𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒆 𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆.

P.S.: When was the last time you shifted perspective and what did you see differently?

Tatiana Rueff standing beside an elegant glass display case showcasing a delicate, flower-inspired timepiece of Van Cleef & Arpels at Watch Week Dubai. She is smiling, wearing a long royal blue dress, surrounded by a softly lit, artistic backdrop featuring green leaves and floral designs.

𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡-𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞 -
𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐚 𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐧’𝐭 𝐧𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐬.

It often happens at the end of a demanding year.

On paper, things look fine.
But internally, the questions begin to shift:

“Is this the life I want?”
“Will next year be any different if I don’t change something now?”
“Why don’t I feel the joy I used to?”

Some leaders try to push through these questions quietly.
But there comes a moment when thinking harder stops working.

Because transitions aren’t just professional.
They are deeply personal.

Recently, a client told me:

"𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘺𝘦𝘵, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴, 𝘐 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧. 
𝘐𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥."

Nothing external had changed.
But she had:

✔️ She knows what she wants and what she won’t accept anymore
✔️ She treats every conversation as progress, not pressure
✔️ She says no to misaligned opportunities without guilt
✔️ She experiences joy now, not only when the outcome arrives

This is the shift that makes the next chapter possible:
𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐚 𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞, 
𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐲.

If you are in the middle of a professional transition:
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐧 2026 - 
𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐨𝐫 𝐣𝐨𝐲?

Tatiana Rueff, Executive and Leadership Coach, photographed in a modern lounge space. She is wearing a blue dress and looking directly at the camera. The setting reflects a calm, professional environment aligned with her work supporting senior leaders through transitions.

𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬.
They’re no longer asking: “What’s my next role?”

They’re asking: “Is the corporate path still right for me?”
Or even: “Should I build something of my own?”

This hesitation isn’t a sign of confusion.
It’s a sign of transition.

The market is saturated.
Traditional networking feels less effective.
Recruiters are overwhelmed.

Many leaders sense that the old rules of career progression no longer apply.

What often gets overlooked is this:
You don’t need to take a drastic decision.
But you do need clarity.

Clarity on your direction.
Clarity on your positioning.
Clarity on what kind of professional life you want to build next.

If you’re standing at that crossroads, you’re not alone.
And this moment can become a powerful turning point.

P.S.: What question has been on your mind about your next move?

Tatiana Rueff, Executive & Leadership Coach, sitting in a warm wooden chalet setting beside a chessboard, symbolising strategic decision-making and leadership clarity.

Most leaders prepare for high-stakes moments the wrong way.

They rehearse their answers.
They refine their slides.
They memorise talking points.

They over-focus on content
and under-train their state.

But your state determines your impact -
not your script.

Because when pressure spikes, 
even strong preparation collapses:

✔️ Your posture shrinks
✔️ You talk faster
✔️ You over-explain
✔️ You sound smaller than you are
✔️ You forget examples you know perfectly well
✔️ Or you freeze - and your mind goes blank

And this shows up in:

✔️ critical presentations
✔️ interviews
✔️ board meetings
✔️ panels
✔️ strategy pitches
✔️ all the moments where people expect clarity from you

Leaders don’t lose opportunities because they lack skill.
They lose them because their nervous system isn’t trained for high-stakes situations.

And let’s be honest -
you’re facing more high-stakes moments now than ever.

If you’ve got something important coming up -
a presentation, interview, panel, negotiation, or pitch -
feel free to message me.
I’m happy to share how I support leaders to show up at their strongest.

P.S.: What helps you stay grounded when pressure rises?

➕ Follow Tatiana Rueff for grounded, real-world insights on leadership, transitions, and sustainable performance.

Portrait of Tatiana Rueff, Executive and Leadership Coach, standing outdoors in Lisbon (Belém district) near Jerónimos Monastery at sunset, looking confident and calm.

𝑫𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓.
𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒙 𝒐𝒇 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒙𝒉𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏.

Everyone’s sprinting to finish projects, 
close budgets, deliver results - 
all before “the holidays begin.”

And yet, for many leaders, this time of year brings something deeper than just end-of-year pressure.

Especially if you’ve stepped into a new role, led a transformation, or navigated major change this year - you may already feel like you’ve been running a marathon since January.

Now December arrives, and it’s not just the workload.

𝑰𝒕’𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒗𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒘𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔:
to wrap things up neatly,
to stay motivated,
to inspire others,
to end on a high note.

But here is what I see often in my coaching work with senior leaders:

👉 The final weeks of the year are not a test of productivity.
They’re a test of perspective.

What really needs to be finished - 
and what simply needs to be paused?

What deserves your energy - 
and what can wait until you return rested and clear?

Because clarity isn’t found by doing more.
It’s found by knowing where to stop, breathe, and reset before the next chapter begins.

If you’re already feeling the tension between “𝘐 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳” and “𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳” - you’re not alone.

This season, consider giving yourself permission to slow the pace - not as a weakness, but as leadership.

Strong leaders ends the year with clarity, not burnout.

P.S.: What helps you slow down and reconnect when everything around you speeds up?

Tatiana Rueff, leadership and career transition coach, taking a reflective pause while reading L’Art de Vivre magazine in a warm chalet setting — representing balance, clarity, and sustainable leadership for senior executives.

Many leaders won’t say this out loud, 
but I hear it often in coaching conversations:

“𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘥… 𝘴𝘰 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘥𝘰 𝘐 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧?”

It’s a moment that can feel confusing and even a bit lonely.

From the outside, a promotion signals achievement.
But internally, leaders sometimes experience something very different:

– A sense of misalignment with the new expectations
– A loss of clarity about who they are as a leader
– Pressure to perform before they’ve had space to recalibrate
– A quiet question: “Did I actually want this?”

This isn’t a lack of gratitude or ambition.
It’s a natural response to rapid change.

When a role expands faster than your internal identity has time to adjust, it creates a gap - between how you’re seen and how you feel.

A gap between capability and clarity.

In these moments, leaders don’t need more drive.
They need reorientation.

Three questions often bring the clarity back:

1) What part of this role energises me?
2) What part feels out of sync with who I want to be now?
3) What support or structure would help me lead sustainably in this chapter?

If you’ve ever stepped into a bigger role and felt something was “off,” you’re not alone.

P.S.: What surprised you most about your last transition or promotion?

𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐛𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 - 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞.
I often hear this from leaders who’ve worked with coaches before:

“𝘞𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨.”
“𝘐 𝘨𝘰𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘭𝘴… 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩, 𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮.”

And I get it.

Coaching shouldn’t feel like another task on your to-do list -
or like a series of smart questions that never lead to real change.

The truth is, effective coaching starts where you are - 
not where a framework says you should be.

Some leaders need reflection and clarity.
Others need accountability and clear next steps.
And often, the biggest transformation comes from one small, consistent shift - not ten new models.

My approach is simple:

✔️ Meet you where you are.
✔️ Focus on what moves you forward now.
✔️ Work with you to create results you can see - 
in your clarity, confidence, and performance.

Because real coaching isn’t about asking clever questions or sharing endless tools.

It’s about enabling you to implement change that lasts - 
at the right pace, in the right way, for you.

P.S.: What's been your experience with coaching that truly made a difference?

Tatiana Rueff, Executive & Leadership Coach, smiling in a warm wooden setting — symbolizing a grounded and personal approach to leadership transformation.

Leadership doesn’t collapse under pressure -
it collapses under noise.

(And most leaders don’t realise how much noise they’re carrying.)

If you're in a senior role, the issue isn’t competence.

It’s the amount of competing demands hitting your mind at the same time.

✔️ expectations
✔️ speed
✔️ politics
✔️ self-doubt
✔️ constant context-switching
✔️ invisible emotional labour
✔️ the pressure to “appear in control”

You don’t need more information.

You need clarity -
the rarest leadership advantage today.

Because when the noise drops, everything changes:

✔️ You make decisions faster.
✔️ Your communication becomes simpler.
✔️ Your priorities become sharper.
✔️ You stop confusing responsiveness with productivity.
✔️ You stop over-explaining to compensate for uncertainty.

Most leaders don’t burn out from workload.
They burn out from carrying mental noise that no one else sees.

And clarity doesn’t come from thinking harder -
it comes from learning to filter, to focus, and to lead from a calmer internal architecture.

If you want to lead with more clarity, calm, and intention in 2026,
send me a message - I’m happy to share how I work with leaders on this.

P.S.: What’s the biggest source of “noise” for you right now?

➕ Follow Tatiana Rueff for grounded, real-world insights on leadership, transitions, and sustainable performance.

Guiding Senior Leaders in New or Bigger Roles | From Pressure to Clarity, Confidence & Sustainable Growth | Executive & Leadership Coach (ICF PCC) | Ex-Fortune 500

Night-time cityscape with a modern office tower featuring a glowing billboard that reads: “When others compete in the noise, your advantage is clarity.” Visual metaphor for executive leadership, clarity under pressure, and high-performance mindset.

𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩 -
but it’s also when the leaders who grow fastest quietly prepare their next leap.

Not by hustling.
Not by adding more to-do’s.

But by creating the kind of clarity that makes every decision in 2026 easier.

Here’s what I see in my coaching sessions right now:

• People don’t lack ambition - 
they lack a structure

• They know what they 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 do -  
but not what they 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 do
 
• They feel they’re “behind” - 
when in reality, they’re overwhelmed by noise

• They want a simpler path - 
not more strategies

If you want 2026 to look different, start with one shift:

👉 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬.

➤ What are you no longer willing to carry into next year?
➤ What becomes non-negotiable for you?
➤ What one outcome matters more than everything else?

This is the kind of work that transforms a year before it even begins.

If you want a simple framework to create this clarity, 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐚 𝐃𝐌 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 “𝐅𝐎𝐂𝐔𝐒” - I’ll send it over.

P.S.: what's one thing you love about December?

Minimalist beige interior scene with soft natural light, featuring a round textured platform and a white sculptural vase holding dried pampas grass. On the left side, a calm, elegant serif quote reads: “What you choose to stop matters as much as what you choose to do,” in soft blue typography. The overall mood is serene, modern, and reflective.

𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐲.
But over the past weeks, 
many of you have asked me in DMs how to think through a transition - 
without rushing decisions or over-analysing everything.

So I created something you can use quietly, on your own.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞 is a short, 
reflective workbook for leaders who are:

- navigating a professional transition
- sensing that something needs to change
- or preparing their next chapter more consciously

It helps you: ⤵️

- name the transition you’re actually in
- reflect honestly on what 2025 revealed
- clarify what you want to carry forward 
- and what you’re ready to leave behind
- identify one grounded next step for 2026

This isn’t about fixing your career.

It’s about creating clarity before momentum pulls you somewhere by default.

I’m sharing the guide freely here:
 👉 https://lnkd.in/djcQTgx6

And if it opens something for you, 
you’re welcome to message me - 
even with just one sentence about where you are right now.

𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧.
𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞.

Leadership coach Tatiana Rueff smiling while holding a wooden block in a warm, reflective setting, symbolizing clarity, decision-making, and professional transition.

𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 - 
𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

A recent client shared that the process gave her space for reflection, structure for growth, and practical tools she could immediately apply at work.

What I loved most about this feedback is how it captures the essence of real coaching - 

not adding more noise, but creating clarity and structure that make growth 𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑘.

Because clarity without integration changes little.
But clarity 𝑤𝑖𝑡𝘩 practice, reflection, and accountability - 
changes everything.

In today’s pace, most leaders rarely get uninterrupted space to think - 
let alone to recalibrate.

Yet that’s exactly where sustainable performance begins.

💭 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 - 𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭?

P.S. Several of my clients began their coaching journeys around this time of year - it’s a powerful moment for reflection before the year ends.

Client testimonial graphic featuring Tatiana Rueff sitting and smiling in a light blue blazer and jeans, inside an illustration of a smartphone. The text reads: ‘Client Testimonial – I really enjoyed the sessions and appreciated the space you created for reflection and growth – it made a real difference.’ The image also includes Tatiana Rueff’s signature logo and a ‘Follow for more’ button at the bottom.

𝐈𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐚 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥 - 
𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐫?

I often see my clients becoming mirrors of their managers.
They meet for a reason - 
to trigger growth in each other.

So maybe “choosing your manager” isn’t always about selecting a person or a role.

It’s about choosing:
✔️ What you want to see in them
✔️ What part of yourself you want to strengthen through that relationship
✔️ How you choose to be when things aren’t fully in your control

This 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 24𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐭 3𝐏𝐌 𝐂𝐄𝐓, I’ll be exploring this with 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐨, 𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐡 and 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐨 in a live episode of 𝘈 𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘔𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.

We’ll talk about:
✔️ What really makes or breaks a manager-employee dynamic
✔️ Why some of our toughest managers become our greatest teachers
✔️ And how to lead yourself - no matter who’s in charge 

Want to be part of the conversation? 
We’ll go live Monday at 3PM CET - 
you’ll find the link in the comments below 👇

P.S. What’s one thing you’ve learned from a manager who challenged you the most?

Promotional banner for a LinkedIn Live event titled “Choose Your Manager,” featuring leadership coaches and experts Eduardo Silva, Sarah Gruneisen, Tatiana Rueff, and Antonio Tramontano. The event explores leadership development, manager-employee dynamics, and career growth. Background features a swirling blue and green vortex. Event details: November 24, 2025, from 15:00 to 16:00 CET.

𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐐4 -
just as the year winds down, but expectations go up.
It’s exciting… and often overwhelming.

You’re expected to:

✔️ Prove your impact fast
✔️ Build trust and visibility
✔️ Lead while still learning the landscape

That’s a lot to navigate when you’re still finding your footing.

I’m curious - if you’ve started a new role recently (or are about to),
what’s felt most challenging so far? 👇

P.S. Did I miss something?
If you’d add another challenge that leaders face when starting a new role - share it in the comments. I’d love to hear your perspective.

What’s the biggest challenge when stepping into a new or expanded leadership role?

The author can see how you vote. Learn more

taplio

The Battle

Russell Johnson

Tatiana Rueff

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreRussell Johnson's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreTatiana Rueff's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Russell Johnson

Tatiana Rueff

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Russell Johnson's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreTatiana Rueff's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreRussell Johnson's LinkedIn Performance