Cynder Niemela

Hi, I’m Cynder – welcome to my site!

I’ve been coaching leaders and teams since 1997. Playing sports and traveling are two of my lifelong passions. Making the transition into business was a natural transition.

Recognized by Fortune Magazine as a pioneer in team and executive coaching:

I specialize in the coach approach to building high impact teams to support major business transformations and achieve exceptional results. I’ve led and delivered hundreds of multi-million dollar consulting engagements with Fortune 100 companies.

My passion led me to be recognized as an award-winning author and globally recognized expert in leading, developing and coaching global leaders and teams.

As noted in Fortune Magazine, So You’re A Player; Do You Need a Coach? Cynder’s skills and expertise have inspired executives from major firms like Ernst & Young to achieve both team and individual goals.”

  • With Ernst & Young, I designed and implemented enterprise-wide, team-based coaching and culture initiatives with global leaders and geographically dispersed teams.
  • With the Boeing, Omnicom and BAC, I designed, led and implemented leadership, coaching and teaming systems and training programs designed to shape the desired culture and drive a high level of employee engagement and organizational performance.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with senior level executives, business owners and teams at companies such as IBM, HP, Cisco, Intel, Deloitte, Hulu, EA, Genentech, Mobil, Disney, Dropbox, AT&T, Verizon, Oracle Corporation, Apple, Google, Boeing, and Saudi Aramco, SAP, DBM, and Ken Blanchard Company.

I leverage my experience living and working in the Middle East, Europe, and England in her approach to working with global leaders and teams.

My book, Leading High Impact Teams: The Coach Approach to Peak Performance was published in October 2001 and voted one of the top 10 business books in 2002 and 2003 by CEO Refresher. Cynder has authored and been featured in numerous articles on the subjects of coaching and team leadership in Fortune Magazine, Investor’s Business Daily, The LA Times, Executive Excellence, HR Magazine, Training and Development, SAM Magazine and others.

Among the first to be certified as a Master Certified Coach (MCC) by the International Coach Federation (ICF), I’m often asked to speak about executive and team coaching. I’ve been invited by associations and organizations including Linkage conferences, the Association of Applied Sports Psychologists, the ICF, Project World, The Power of Coaching Conference, The ATD, NAWBO, SHRM, and others.

A mother of two, I live in the San Francisco Bay Area with her rescued dog, Sky. My hobbies are hiking, yoga, travel, photography, writing, taking classes and enjoying our diverse culture.

I bring a culturally rich perspective and approach to my consulting and coaching

I grew up and worked in the Middle East. During this time, I traveled to more than 100 countries and lived in 7 countries. My approach to consulting and coaching leverages the diversity of experience, talents, and cultures that are often under-appreciated or unknown in every leader, team, and organization.

Purpose & Passion: Employee fulfillment and engagement is key to developing and strengthening a company’s winning culture and creating a world-class organization. Personal fulfillment drives value and results from within and also plays an integral role in delivering outstanding results and value for a company’s culture and stakeholders.

Check future blogs for more on how my travels influence my approach to work and life.

  • Growing up in Saudi
  • Working in the Middle East
  • Culture & Symbols

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