The Real Leader Academy is becoming a guided, cohort-based program.
A twelve-month curriculum with monthly live coaching calls for mid-to-senior leaders, beginning January 2027.
Join the waitlist to hear first and get early access to founding-member pricing, a rate that won't be offered again. You'll receive the full details and pricing on November 9, three days before enrollment opens to everyone on November 12.
Does this sound familiar?
You’re working harder than ever, but you can't seem to get your footing.
- Everything is changing so fast that it's hard to navigate your own path, let alone lead others through theirs.
- You feel unsettled and ungrounded, so you react instead of respond.
- Thinking clearly and making decisions has gotten harder, and you're overwhelmed.
- You're doing more with less, and taking care of yourself is the first thing to go, which makes everything worse.
You want to be a visionary, inspiring leader, but you feel trapped or bogged down…
…by organizational constraints,
…by the negativity or short-sightedness of others, or
…by overwhelm at the magnitude of what's before you and the pressure you're under.
Yesterday’s solutions don’t solve today’s problems.
- The experts' answers aren't helping.
- Getting people to act on your recommendations is harder.
- The turbulence leads the people around you to think and act from fear.
You want to rise above the constraints that have been holding you down and achieve new levels of performance, impact, freedom and fulfillment in your work and your life.
But how can you break out of the vicious cycle that keeps you stuck? And where do you even start?
Here’s what I learned from working with thousands of executives faced with these same issues
(and working through them myself as well)...
When the stuff hits the fan, we often rely on what’s worked in the past only to find that it’s no longer effective (or even begins to work against us).
In fact, many of the things we do as individuals and organizations have reached a point of diminishing returns or no longer fit with the challenges and opportunities before us.
The time has come to find and institute a better way of working, living, and leading.
Rising above conditioning that would otherwise keep you stuck requires deliberate intention and conscious awareness. It is a process of both unlearning and relearning. I’ve been helping leaders do that for themselves and their organizations over the last thirty plus years…
I highly recommend Diane to any C-suiter that wants to take their career to the next level, without losing their soul.
It can be done and Diane is enthusiastically the coach that can make it happen."
Heather Monigan, Senior Director, CSS Partnerships Arm
Click here to read more from Heather
One of the biggest challenges executives repeatedly face is that they often unwittingly get in their own way – and can end up perpetuating the very problems they are trying to solve.
In all likelihood, the majority of your most formidable obstacles are between your ears – in the way you think about things, the assumptions you make about yourself, others, or the situation.
But if you are not aware of it, you’ll attribute the difficulty to your circumstances, people around you, or chalk it up to bad luck. You’ll continue to look out there for a solution instead of tuning in to your own ability to rise above the dynamics that keep you (and your organization) stuck.
And it’s not your fault. You’re under a tremendous amount of pressure to perform and get results. You likely sacrifice your personal time, your sanity and even your very health to do that.
You may be convinced that the harder you work, the more you’ll achieve. And that if you slow down, even for a minute, things will come crashing down.
I was so stuck thinking things needed to continue the way I had always done them that I couldn’t let in alternative solutions.
The Pinocchio Principle Unleashed program was life-altering for me – there wasn’t one area of my life that wasn’t impacted.
Porsha Caddell, Senior Manager, Customer Service Business Planning, Southern California Edison
Click here to read more from Porsha
Stage 1: Find your footing (Months 1–2)
Navigating Change, Challenge & Uncertainty
When change comes fast, it's hard to think clearly, decisions get harder, and you end up reacting instead of responding. Add the pressure of doing more with less, and caring for yourself is the first thing to go, which makes everything worse.
You'll start by getting grounded. You'll learn to:
- Reframe the way you look at change, challenge and uncertainty so you can make the most of any situation.
- Turn an unproductive, self-limiting reaction into a constructive, empowering response.
- Transform fear and resistance into fuel that lets you rise to challenges with courage, confidence and capability.
- Blaze new trails when the old ones stop working.
"Hey Diane - So many people shared how they were putting things you talked about into actions already and how they were being mindful and practicing what they learned.
I’m sure you hear this a lot but your work has a much bigger purpose and what you do matters. So much. We greatly appreciate you."
- Kayla B, VP Human Resources & Culture (financial industry)
Click here to read more from Kayla
Stage 2: Lead from the inside out (Months 3–8)
The Pinocchio Principle Unleashed, one module a month
The best way to navigate change from the outside in is to change from the inside out. Over seven months you'll find the stronger, wiser place you can lead from, cut through the noise, and build the insight to make real progress toward the reality you want.
You'll learn to:
- Rise above the conditioning that leads to stress, pressure and overwhelm.
- Gain clarity on what you want to create, and what to start, stop and continue to make it real.
- Take action in spite of resistance and fear, without repeating the old patterns that derailed you before.
- Bounce back faster from setbacks, and prioritize your time for what matters most.
I’m thrilled that people in my team have also gone through the program and will continue to do so, because I believe it has helped us to restructure and reinvigorate the way we do business to maximize our strengths and better serve our customers.
Julie Patrick, Director of Client Services, Employer Advocates
Click here to read more from Julie
Stage 3: Connect and influence (Months 9–12)
Leverage Your Style: DISC Behavioral Style Workshop, with your personal DISC assessment
Everything you've learned lands in how you work with other people. With your personalized TTI Success Insights® report, you'll learn your own style, read the styles of others, and flex yours so you can truly connect.
You'll learn to:
- Understand your strengths and potential pitfalls so you can leverage the first and sidestep the second.
- Communicate, collaborate and influence with people whose styles are like and unlike your own.
- Resolve conflict faster, and prevent it.
- Strengthen relationships with coworkers, customers, bosses and direct reports.
"What we gained was an appreciation for each other’s communication style, which improved mutual respect.
We are seeing results already. If the goal is efficiency, this workshop is essential. Our whole office runs more smoothly now."
- Kimber Lanning, Executive Director, Local First Arizona
Click here to read more from Kimber
Just for a moment, imagine this...
- You have the energy and vitality to perform at your highest level without getting beaten down by stress, pressure and overwhelm.
- You’ve broken out of the hamster wheel and are finally getting to the strategic and visionary work you’ve been wanting to do.
- You’ve developed strong connections with others that inspire trust and allow you to exercise influence at the highest levels.
- You’re finding answers to problems that previously had you stumped and navigating change, challenge and uncertainty with ease.
- You are playing an instrumental role in creating a vibrant and inspired culture of high performance and engagement within your organization.
That's the difference twelve months can make.
BEFORE the Real Leader Academy
- You feel chewed up and spit out at the end of your day and worry that tomorrow will bring more of the same.
- The experts you rely on to deliver solutions often disappoint and miss the mark resulting in wasted time, money and resources as well as frustration and overwhelm.
- Your attempts to influence others are hit or miss and you aren’t sure what, if anything, you need to change about your approach.
- Your peace and calm is regularly shattered by the stressful demands and turbulent twists and turns that seem to be an inevitable part of your job.
AFTER the Real Leader Academy
- You end your day feeling grateful and fulfilled, buoyed by the challenges, opportunities and possibilities that surround you – with plenty of energy to enjoy important people in your life.
- You’ve learned to cultivate insight and discern the best solutions and take action to create sustainable results.
- You know enough about your own style and that of others to create strong connections that lead to mutual support and collaboration.
- You stay grounded and connected to the strongest, wisest part of yourself even in the midst of chaos and constant change, and lead others do the same.
Here’s what’s waiting for you:
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Three video-based programs, released in order: Navigating Change, Challenge & Uncertainty (five modules); The Pinocchio Principle Unleashed (seven modules, seventeen lessons); and Leverage Your Style (nine modules).
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Twelve monthly live coaching calls, 90 minutes each, tied to what you're working through that month.
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Coaching hot seats. Apply to be coached live in the group.
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The Just in Time Coaching Library: short videos and articles on the issues leaders face most, with new content added regularly.
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Your personal DISC assessment, Target Training International's Success Insights® DISC Behavioral Style Assessment, with a 20+ page personalized report.
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My book, The Pinocchio Principle: Becoming a Real Leader (digital copy).
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Downloadable worksheets, PDFs and discussion guides for every course.
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A 30-minute introductory 1:1 coaching meeting with me (founding members only; first 25 to enroll).
How the monthly calls work
The calls are where the learning turns into action. Each month:
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You work through that month's videos and worksheets before the call.
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I open with a short teaching that goes beyond the videos and worksheets, with something relevant I haven't covered elsewhere.
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I answer the questions you submitted in advance. You'll send them ahead, so the time goes to what matters most to you.
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We open it up for additional questions.
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Hot seat coaching: apply ahead of time and tell me what you'd like coaching on, and I'll coach you live while everyone learns from the conversation.
Every call is recorded so you never miss one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is twelve months a lot to commit to? It's a real commitment, and it's designed to be a manageable one. Each month has one focus: a module to work through at your own pace and one live call. You're never asked to take on more than one thing at a time. Expected weekly time averages about an hour.
What if I can't make a live call? Every call is recorded and timestamped, so you can watch it on your own schedule and still submit your questions in advance.
How does the hot seat work? Ahead of each call, you can apply for a hot seat and tell me what you'd like to be coached on. During the call I coach you live while everyone learns from the conversation.
Is what I share in the calls confidential? Yes. We begin by agreeing that what's shared in the call stays in the call.
Should I enroll with my direct reports? It can build a shared language and make it easier to apply what you learn. It can also change how openly people share, especially on the more personal, inside-out work in the middle of the program. If you want to go through together, a private cohort for your team may be a better fit (see below). If you enroll on your own, you'll be learning alongside leaders from other organizations.
Will this price be offered again? No. The founding rate is for this first cohort only. The next cohort will open in fall 2027, at $4,500.
What happens after the twelve months? Graduates are invited to join the Real Leader Collective, an ongoing community with open-format group coaching and Q & A calls and a growing library of new content.
What's your refund policy? Cancel within 14 days of the program start for a full refund.
Can my company enroll a group? Yes. See the private cohorts section below.
Private cohorts for teams
Prefer to go through together?
Bring The Real Leader Academy into your organization.
> Private cohorts let a leadership team or group of leaders work through the same twelve-month path together, with coaching calls and discussion guides customized to your organization's initiatives. I've taken C-level teams through this work in their own cohorts before rolling it out to other leaders in the organization.
> Start when it works for your organization. Private cohorts aren't tied to the January date, so your team can begin on a schedule that fits your calendar and priorities.
> Enhance an organizational membership with live organization wide training or group coaching / Q & A sessions led by Diane to supercharge the impact of the content with the interaction of your people.
Contact Support@DianeBolden.com to talk through pricing, timing and customization.
“The things Diane has taught us through her coaching and programs have taken on a life of their own in our organization and given rise to some business practices that are helping us to get to the next level of organizational success.
It’s been extremely helpful, and the ROI is something I can’t even measure – it’s just exponential.
- Pete Pritts, President/CEO, Corporate America Credit Union
Click here to read more from Pete
What can organizations expect by bringing the Real Leader Academy in house?
INCREASED PERFORMANCE
Real Leader Academy members learn to recognize and free themselves from self-imposed obstacles that keep them from achieving desired results. They unearth performance in themselves and others they didn’t realize they were capable of.
STRONGER RELATIONSHIPS WITH SUBORDINATES, PEERS, SUPERIORS, CUSTOMERS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS
As leaders working through the Academy begin to shift their focus from what they need to get to how they can give, they engender trust, listen more and talk less, and allow others to feel heard and valued. As a result, they create solid, enduring partnerships and exercise greater influence.
HIGHER ENGAGEMENT, RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
Real Leader Academy members ignite enthusiasm, passion and inspired performance in themselves and others fueled by a greater why. The organization and its leaders magnetize key talent and create a buzz in the field.
CREATIVE INNOVATION AND PROBLEM SOLVING
Members recognize the power of reframing their thoughts in a way that yields solutions they wouldn’t have previously recognized. As their focus shifts from limitation to possibility they help others practice greater resourcefulness, agility and perseverance as well.
BETTER NAVIGATION THROUGH CHANGE, UNCERTAINTY AND COMPLEXITY
Real Leader Academy members harmonize their rational and intuitive minds to blaze trails through unchartered territory. They learn to recognize gut level instincts and complement them with data, enabling them to take action that keeps the business ahead of the curve.
GREATER RESILIENCE IN OVERCOMING OBSTACLES AND BOUNCING BACK FROM SETBACKS
Leaders learn to leverage their strengths and experiences to make better decisions, fine tune their approaches and transform fear and resistance to fuel. Serving as a powerful example, they help others stay out of victimization and move forward with greater confidence and consistency.
INCREASED STRATEGIC FOCUS
Academy members learn strategies for getting out of overwhelm and minutia and proactively addressing emerging challenges and opportunities. They get comfortable with being uncomfortable and exercise the courage necessary to play bigger and make a greater impact in their organizations and communities.
About Diane
- I have over thirty years of experience in leadership and organization effectiveness – I blend the knowledge I’ve gained with a powerful coaching approach that allows people to access their own wisdom and leverage their strengths to rise to the challenges and opportunities.
- My products and services are designed to go beneath the surface to get beyond symptoms and to identify and address the inner workings of human and organizational dynamics.
- My approaches are always designed to empower my clients and their organizations to implement solutions that are self-generating and self-sustaining and as such do not foster a dependency on me.
- I believe that often what is required is not just learning, but unlearning – helping clients to not only align their intentions and actions with desired results, but also to identify and eliminate habits, patterns and limiting assumptions and beliefs that keep them from doing their best work.
- My company, Synchronistics Coaching & Consulting is a boutique consulting/coaching firm that has offered high end, high touch, fully customizable and customer centric solutions for over twenty years. I do not offer cookie cutter or formulaic approaches that are one size fits all. I make myself personally available to all my clients.
- I have worked with executives in Fortune 100 and 500 firms as well as small to medium sized businesses – at the C level, Board level, and VP/senior leader level – as well as within organizations and teams. I’ve worked across industries including health care, technology, finance, advertising, consumer products and services, utility and gas, legal, human resources, hospitality, government, and nonprofit.
- I am an ICF certified corporate coach with a Masters in Business Administration. I also have over 20 years of experience as CEO/founder of my own business.
- I am a published author – my book, The Pinocchio Principle: Becoming a Real Leader – How to Unleash Genius in Yourself and Those You Lead was published in 2011 and is available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com.
For more information including additional words from clients, visit my website at www.DianeBolden.com.