Susanne Ekström

I Coach CEOs to Build Winning Companies Where People 💜 to Work (SME:s) | +$30M Client Profit Generated | Top Ranked Management & Leadership Creator Globally (#1 in Sweden) | Serial Entrepreneur

💡 Are you enthusiastic about waking up in the morning to be the master strategist of your company, or are you dreading another day spent fighting fires and not getting anything significant done?

👋 Hey! I'm Susanne, a CEO Coach, entrepreneur, #1 international bestselling author, and the founder of BeASmarterLeader and SEE Management.

𝐌𝐲 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧: To guide CEOs like you in reaching the top of your game.
I specialize in turning your big business dreams into reality, making your company richer, your team happier, and your business more robust.
And if you're up for it, we'll boost your bottom line by $499k in 99 days.


𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐈 𝐆𝐨𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞: Back in 2001, life was amazing. I co-owned a big Swedish dot.com company and started our Netherlands office. I invested my heart, time, and money into it. But then, everything fell apart when the company went bankrupt. I lost everything, and it was devastating—going from a dream job to no job at all.


𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠: We made these 4 epic failures!
⛔ We didn't delegate effectively
⛔ We weren't ready for massive growth
⛔ We didn't have streamlined processes in place
⛔ We, the C-Suite, stopped listening to our people


𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝: Combining 20+ years in management consulting, over a decade in leadership, and hard-earned lessons from my dot.com collapse led me to develop a foolproof system to help CEOs like you:
✅ Boost your profits
✅ Keep your best people
✅ 'Buy back' +8 hours a week
✅ Build a scalable business model for growth


Great leaders aren't born; they're made.
True transformation can be challenging, so I've designed my system to help you save time, reach your potential, and become a top-notch CEO. 


𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫: Strategies to:
⭐ 'Buy back' your time so you can lead, not be 'all-over the place'
⭐ Create a CEO role that you'll absolutely LOVE having
⭐ Create space for innovation & big-picture planning
⭐ Create trust, structure, and sustainable growth
⭐ Build a winning, scalable company culture



𝐌𝐲 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬: CEOs of SME companies on the U.S. East Coast, Canada, and Europe.
But why is this Swedish lady targeting the U.S. and Canada?
The mindset around the importance and value of a coach differs in the US and Canada from the rest of the world. I also love to speak English.
𝘚𝘔𝘌 = 𝘚𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘔𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘶𝘮-𝘴𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘥 𝘌𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘦


𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩: Book a 15-minute Opportunity Call today!
👉 https://calendly.com/susanne-ekstrom/15mincall

Susanne Ekström
📞 +46 70 205 40 44
✉ susanne@beasmarterleader.com
🌐 www.beasmarterleader.com

Founder & CEO | BeaSmarterLeader

🔥 We help CEOs and Owners of Companies with $5-20 Million in Revenue, Strategically Work ON the Business Instead of Being Stuck IN it.

BeaSmarterLeader is 100% dedicated to helping CEOs and Owners across dynamic industries scale business operations and obtain unparalleled marketplace advantages to unlock transformative, growth-driven futures.

As the Founder & CEO, I work confidently with you while providing all of the dynamic tools and coaching methodologies required to take your business to the next level with The CEO Profit System!

Ultimately, I’m here to help enable the conditions for your peak performance, and you'll drive your business forward in ways previously unimagined. Sign up today to double your profits and cut your daily workload by 50% in less than 4 weeks!

👉 www.beasmarterleader.com/ceopsli (With a Large Discount)

If your people stopped telling you the truth tomorrow, how long would it take before you noticed?

Most CEOs wouldn’t know until it was too late.
And by then, trust, energy, and ideas would already be gone.

According to Gallup, only 3 in 10 employees strongly agree their opinions count at work.

This costs billions every year in lost engagement, missed opportunities, and slow decision-making.

The real question isn’t 𝘪𝘧 your people talk to you.
It’s 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺’𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦.

So... when you put on your clothes in the morning, put on your large ears too. 😉 

Because if you don’t, you’ll miss:
💢 The frustrations that drain motivation
💢 The bottlenecks your dashboards never show
💢 The small ideas that could become your next breakthrough

Why do so many CEOs stop listening?

Usually it’s:
↳ A lack of time
↳ A lack of focus

Another reason is, sadly:
↳ A lack of interest (and/or courage) 

Make time.
Create space.
Ask questions that matter.

Then, truly, listen to the answers.
💢 See the problem areas 
💢 Document what you see & hear 
💢 Thank your people for their input 
💢 Do something about it (if prioritized) 
💢 Leave feedback about what's happening 

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers.
It’s about hearing the truth early enough to act on it.

PS. Use your large ears, but don't be all ears... 💜
Always listen with purpose.

Order My Latest Leadership Book In My Featured Section 💫

SisterSmart

The CEO told me "Women can't lead"

It was the time to select a VP for the company.

But after 10.5 years of giving it my all, I was shot down with 3 words.

I felt powerless and remained silent at that moment.

It was as if all those whispers of self-doubts I had in my abilities grew louder that day.

But then my boss stepped in.

He pointed out all the ways I was demonstrating my leadership skills before even getting the position.

3 of my peers also came forward nodding along.

They made the case that women CAN lead.

That we have just as much capability as men.

And guess what?

The CEO gave in and agreed to promote me.

Turns out all those years I was sharpening my leadership skills by:

- Building bridges with power players
- Devoting most of my time to high-visibility projects
- Reading brain science for fun and applying it
- Working on mindfulness and my communication skills

But a part of me still wondered...

What if I hadn’t hesitated to seek coaching?

And gotten help in understanding what 'executive presence' means and how I could leverage it in a male-dominated industry?

I could have shown I was VP material way earlier.

All without a decade of stress and frustration.

So after spending 25 years in corporate...

I founded SisterSmart with ONE mission.

→ To empower executives at the Director and VP level

Where I see so many women burn out or quit.

And after 6 years of research and 1300+ coaching sessions...

The 7-step Passport to Promotion Framework entered the picture.

A GO-TO formula that helps you ace your leadership role and make it to VP and beyond.

It’s all baked into my Sisters In Leadership program.

Want to see the kick-ass success stories of women who used it?

Then just hit those links below!

And if you're a female director who is serious about becoming a confident and successful leader recognized for her impact...

Then DM me the word "Rise" to turn it into a reality. 💛

Women’s Leadership Development Coach

Women outperform men in 17 out of 19 leadership skills.

(According to research in the Harvard Business Review)

Our workplaces are in urgent need of leaders who:

→ Can rally diverse minds to create ideas that one brain alone couldn't
→ Care more about boosting their team than hogging the spotlight
→ Inspire everyone to be their best selves and tap into their potential

All the stuff that women are a natural at.

But our path to senior leadership is never easy.

(Especially if you're a female director)

Because it's all too common to get stuck in the mid-level management maze for years on end.

That’s why I've got three aces up my sleeve for you:

1. SisterSmart Podcast

If you're tired of generic self-help advice online then here we dive into real talk, bringing in leadership and gender experts to help you embrace your unique leadership style and tap into your full potential as a leader. (Link in my featured section)

2. Sisters In Leadership Program

This is where you see the magic of an exclusive community of go-getter female leaders like you and the 7-step Passport to Promotion Framework in real-time action and get ready for the VP spot or beyond. The same framework that my clients used to:

☀️ Cut down crazy 60-hour work weeks to a cool 36
☀️ Get promoted to VP with $300k salary + bonus
☀️ Get promoted to Sr. VP after covering 2 modules
☀️ Free up 24 hours per week by increasing productivity

(Scroll below to find out more about the program)

3. 1-on-1 Coaching

Here you'll get my hand-held support to kick those imposter syndrome vibes to the curb, glide through office politics and problems, dive deep into what’s holding you back, and map out a crystal-clear roadmap to ace your role - all without the stress and burnout.

Ready to step into your power and be recognized as the impactful leader you truly are?

Just select an option and let's get rolling!

1-on-1 Coaching 

Sisters In Leadership

Try fitting a square peg in a round hole.

Looks like a total mismatch, right?

That's because it's trying to be something it's not.

And that's exactly what most leadership models today encourage women to do.

→ Teach you how to lead like the dudes 💁🏻‍♀️

Now, don't get me wrong.

I'm all about empowering more women to reach the VP level and beyond by navigating the corporate playfield.

But not while giving up on your authentic leadership style!

I realized there needs to be a program that:

☼ Uses gender socialization theory to help you understand and navigate the double binds

☼ Also equally helps women of color counter biases and thrive in their careers

☼ Has a group of ambitious female leaders in the same shoes as you for empowerment

☼ Has video modules loaded with strategies for every challenge you will bump into in your leadership role

And that's how Sisters In Leadership was born.

An exclusive program + community for female executives.

Don't take my word for how it can supercharge your leadership!

Hear it directly from the members instead:

"This program is not just another thing to add to your to-do list. It's a way to get rid of your to-do list. It's a way to think about things entirely differently and so it's 100% worth it."

- Meg, Global Market Access and Business Development Leader

"If you’re thinking, "Can I afford it?" You can’t afford not to sign up. You will be taught pivotal things that will position you for major life and career growth. It gives you everything you need to be a wiser, calmer, and more empowered leader, enabling you to reach and exceed that next level in your career, life, and relationships.

- Natalie, Regional District Sales Manager, Healthcare

Want to become the next leadership success story?

Just message me the word "Rise" and I'll share the deets with you. 💛

Sisters In Leadership Program

Propet USA

This is where I reunited with my first love.

→ Marketing

It's 2011, the aftermath of the recession.

And I'm on a cross-country drive with my mom and two dogs (in a Golf). That's when an unexpected call arrives.

It's from a recruiter offering me a role in footwear.

I was in my season of saying 'Yes' so of course I took on the job.


Let's just say it wasn't a walk in the park.

My biggest challenge?

Turn an old-school shoe brand into a vibrant, comfort shoe brand for younger demographics. (No problem, that’s my specialty!)

But company politics were messy and trust was as rare as a comfy pair of stilettos.

And the real deal?

Leading a team stuck in their old ways (including seasoned sales team of 65-82 years old)

It pushed me to up my game and explore more about conversational and emotional intelligence.

Instead of embracing the company’s top-down approach...

I chose to lead with empathy and understanding.

And guess what?

My efforts led to the most successful product launch in the company's history.

It paved my way to the VP position where I became the #3 person in the company, leading the largest team.


After spending 5 years there, I stepped out of the corporate scene.

This departure was not an end.

But a new beginning for me.

Because it led me to discover a new vision in life.

→ To contribute to increasing the 32% global share of women in senior leadership roles

By helping women break through glass ceilings, step into their power with confidence and clarity, and lead without burning out.

By showing women how to market themselves in their companies for special projects and promotions.

By proving that we accomplish more with positivity!

And today I delightfully say, I've found my calling in life.

💛

Vice President Marketing

Revision Military

Managed in-house process development and new business projects by working closely with the CEO and senior management team as well as cross-functional department heads in areas such as product development, growth planning, acquisition target research and employee satisfaction.

Director, Business Development

Timberland

Established international marketing plan, new brand positioning strategy for division, regional marketing programs and resource allocation for $100M+ outdoor footwear and apparel division.

Sr. Global Brand Manager

Clarisonic

Led rebranding project from initial market research to production of new packaging and collateral. Developed new product strategy. Conducted consumer insight research to define customer and core market needs.

Product Marketing, Beauty and Dermatologist Channel

Montrail Footwear

Responsible for all aspects of international brand management and marketing programs resulting in 65% company-wide growth and being voted Hottest Footwear Brand by dealers.

Marketing Director

K2 Sports

Full P & L responsibility; accountable for research, development, production, and marketing of ski accessories product line. Improved sales 160% and profit margins by 4%.

Product Manager

Empowering female Directors to become successful VPs with my 7-step Passport to Promotion Framework | 10/12 women aiming for the VP role landed it in under 365 days, my about section shows you how to become the next.

👋 Hi, I’m Jill Avey, Founder of SisterSmart® . And I'm a Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Ivy League MBA graduate... and Leadership Mentor for ambitious women navigating the path to the C-suite.

I help high-achieving women break through the “Stuck VP” phase... and elegantly step into executive roles with clarity, confidence, and authenticity.

💡 Tell me if this sounds familiar:

You’re an accomplished VP or Director with years of hard-won results. But, despite your dedication... you still feel like you’re not being taken seriously.

You’re leading teams, handling high-visibility projects, and solving complex problems. Yet, vague feedback like “be more strategic” or “you need more executive presence” leaves you wondering what more you need to do.

You’re juggling critical responsibilities at work while balancing personal life... and the pressure feels relentless.

You know you’re capable of more. But, the self-doubt creeps in when stakes are high... and it feels like you’re constantly having to prove yourself.

If that sounds like you, know this: 

You’re not broken. You’re just in a system that wasn’t designed for women leaders.

That’s where I come in.

My Signature 7-Step Passport to Promotion™ Framework: 

I combine neuroscience-based leadership strategies with real-world experience to help you move from stuck to unstoppable. 

The 7 Steps:

1. Self-Leadership: Build resilience and confidence
2. Brain-Based Communication: Develop your executive presence and influence 
3. Intentional Career Planning: Create a strategic plan for your career 
4. Confidence Without Burnout: Learn how to advocate for yourself 
5. Authentic Leadership: Lead in a way that’s true to you
6. Mindset Mastery: Break free from imposter syndrome and self-doubt
7. Support Network: Connect with a community of like-minded women

Real Results:

Over 180 clients have secured VP and C-suite roles in healthcare, tech, and finance—often within just months of completing the program.

They report feeling more confident, visible, and valued—and see real results in compensation, influence, and career satisfaction.

🏆 Why Work With Me? I’ve actually been in your shoes. 

After 25 years as a corporate executive, I know what it’s like to navigate high-stakes leadership while balancing personal ambitions and professional expectations. My approach is research-backed, heart-led, and rooted in real experience.

I believe you deserve a leadership journey that’s both successful and sustainable. And I’m here to help you build it.

📩 Send me a DM: Let’s build your path to the C-suite together.

Jill Avey

15 ways the best leaders stay ahead:

1/ Be Coachable:
Regularly solicit feedback and invest in personal development.

2/ Be Strategic:
Think beyond the day-to-day, so you can lead the future.

3/ Be Present:
Carry yourself with confidence and clarity, so others will follow.

4/ Be Emotionally Intelligent:
If you can’t understand people, you can’t lead them.

5/ Be Results-Oriented:
Deliver outcomes because potential doesn’t matter.

6/ Be Financially Savvy:
Understand the numbers to influence the business.

7/ Be a Talent Developer:
If you’re not growing others, you’re not growing the organization.

8/ Be Adaptable:
You’ll be left behind if you resist change.

9/ Be Collaborative:
You limit your impact if you work in silos.

10/ Be Decisive:
Opportunities pass you by if you hesitate too long.

11/ Be Clear:
Communicate with purpose so your message doesn’t get lost.

12/ Be Ethical:
Never compromise integrity, trust is lost fast.

13/ Be Culturally Aware:
Bring people together through understanding.

14/ Be Innovative:
Be the leader who sees the future.

15/ Be Aligned:
If you’re not in sync with the mission, you won’t move it forward.

After coaching 100s of leaders, I’ve learned that leadership isn't about having the most charisma or being the loudest in the room.

It's about these 15 core skills.

Pick one to focus on this week to get started.

 P.S. What would you add as #16 to this list?

♻️ Repost to save this list
Curious how to apply this in your career?

Join my newsletter for actionable leadership strategies and get the free Leadership Playbook vault: https://lnkd.in/gZJrJxhm

Helping High-Achieving Women Get Seen, Heard, and Promoted | Proven Strategies to Stop Feeling Invisible at the Leadership Table 💎 Fortune 100 Coach | ICF PCC-Level Women's Leadership Coach

Motivational quote graphic with beige background reading 'Be coachable: If you're not open to feedback, you're not open to growth.' Key phrases 'not open' are highlighted in yellow and 'feedback' and 'growth' in turquoise. Bottom right features a circular photo of Jill Avey with LinkedIn icon and text 'Executive Coach'.

How to earn respect in every room (fast)

8 habits that make people trust your leadership in seconds

Looking polished is about more than a fancy title; it’s about showing up with intention when it matters most.

Many capable professionals chip away at their authority through unnoticed habits.

That’s why this topic is central in our leadership coaching: it shapes every interaction.

(Ready to move up? Take the VP Readiness Quiz: https://lnkd.in/gtMw9CzG)

When my clients use these 8 habits, they build trust from the start:

➊ Know your numbers
» Few things signal “not ready to lead” like making it up on the fly.

➋ Sharpen your language
» Each filler word subtly undercuts your presence.

➌ Command your space
» Your body language makes the first impression.

➍ Start with structure
» A clear flow earns instant confidence.

➎ Polish like it’s for the CEO
» Sloppy details quietly erode credibility.

➏ Guard time like money
» Going over time isn’t thorough — it’s inconsiderate.

➐ Respond with calm, not speed
» Staying composed always beats reacting fast.

➑ Make it personal
» Use names. Hold eye contact. Build connection.

Professionalism isn’t perfection.

It’s consistent, deliberate habits that build trust.

Choose one to practice this week — that’s how respect grows.

If you feel ready to move up, take the VP Readiness Quiz to find out where you stand: https://lnkd.in/gtMw9CzG

♻️ Repost to help others in your network
Follow me, Jill Avey for more leadership insights

No one teaches this in leadership programs

You show up prepared.
You deliver results.
And somehow you still hear: 
“too aggressive”
“not strategic enough”

The research is clear: women leaders face a no-win scenario. 

When I was sure of myself, I was ‘aggressive’. 
When I focused on our mission, I was ‘cold’. 
When I laughed and smiled, I was ‘not serious enough’. 

This is the double bind.

Here's the truth nobody says out loud:
You can be brilliant and still get dinged for your delivery.
You can drive results and still hear you're not strategic enough.
You can advocate for your team and get called emotional.
And none of it is about your competence.

𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄:
You don't need to shrink. 
You don't need to soften. 
You don't need to become someone else.

You need tactical moves that let you show up fully without paying the likability tax.

𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴:

🔸 Lead with strength and warmth.
Open with your decision, then invite perspective: “What am I missing?”
It’s strategic, not playing small. 

🔸 Use clear, direct language.
“Given A and B, I’m choosing C. 
What risks do you see?”
No apologies. No hedging. Just clarity.

🔸 Stay authentic while reading the room.
Your values stay constant.
Your delivery adapts.
That’s not compromise, it’s leadership.

🔸 Tell stories that show the whole picture.
The win and the team behind it. 
Both matter.

🔸 Build your circle.
A mentor. A sponsor. 
A peer group who gets it.
You don’t have to do this alone. 
And you shouldn’t.

This isn’t about fixing you.
You’re not broken.

It’s about refusing to let an unfair system steal your confidence—or your opportunities.
Try one practice this week.
Notice what changes when you stop second-guessing and start using moves built for the reality you’re in.

You deserve to lead without the Sunday-night dread.
You deserve credit for your work.
You deserve to rest knowing you’ve led on your terms.

P.S. If you’re ready to lead on your own terms, join our Sisters in Leadership community—where women are done playing small and ready to rise.

♻️ Repost if you’ve ever left a meeting replaying every word you said.
➤ Share this with a woman you admire

7 Moves to be Seen as Both Effective and Relatable

Your hard work won't save you this time.
I know that's hard to hear.

You've been told your entire career that if you just work harder, stay later, and take on more, you'll be fine.

But the rules changed while you were busy proving yourself.

AI can now do the analysis you spent years mastering. The reports you stay late to finish. The data work that used to make you indispensable.

So what does that leave you?
The messy, beautiful, irreplaceable human stuff.

The ability to:
➙ Read a room and know what's not being said
➙ Build trust when the stakes are high
➙ Navigate conflict without damaging relationships
➙ Lead with courage when the path isn't clear

These are the skills that will matter in the next 5 years.

And most of us have never been taught how to identify them, let alone strengthen them.

That's why I'm hosting a workshop on December 5th called Future Proof Your Career.

In 2 hours, you'll:
✅ Identify your Zone of Brilliance (the skills that set you apart from AI)
✅ Discover your Secret Sauce (what only you can bring to leadership)
✅ Find your Ikigai (where your strengths meet what the world needs)

This isn't theory.
It's a map.

By the end, you'll know exactly how to position yourself for the jobs that require work only humans can do.

I've watched too many brilliant leaders panic because they're competing on the wrong playing field.

You don't need to work harder.
You need to work more human.

December 5th
8-10 PT / 11-1 ET
(recording)

Register here: https://lnkd.in/gufdkFM3

The leaders who thrive in the next decade won't be the ones who can do everything AI does, just slower.

They'll be the ones who double down on being irreplaceably human.

P.S. What's one skill you have that you know AI could never replicate?

♻️ Repost to help your network prepare for what's coming.

Follow me, Jill Avey for more leadership insights

taplio

The Battle

Susanne Ekström

Jill Avey

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreSusanne Ekström's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreJill Avey's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Susanne Ekström

Jill Avey

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);}Susanne Ekström's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreJill Avey's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreSusanne Ekström's LinkedIn Performance