Azhar Ali Syed
PCC, CPA, DC.NACD
Trusted Executive Coach for High-Performing Leaders
You’ve Reached the Top. But What’s Next?
Leading at the highest levels is rewarding but also isolating, complex, and full of pressure.
That’s where I come in.
What I Offer - Coaching That Moves You Forward
My coaching creates space for senior leaders to pause, think, and grow with clarity, confidence, and accountability.
Clients typically work with me when they are:
- Leading complex change
- Struggling to prioritize or delegate
- Hitting a plateau in performance or energy
- Seeking alignment between leadership and life
- Navigating cross-functional or global challenges
- Championing diversity and inclusion—but unsure how to lead it authentically
If this sounds familiar, let’s explore working together. You’ll leave with a clearer mind, a sharper strategy, and a stronger sense of self and others as a leader.
Let’s Work Together
Who I Typically Coach
CEOs & C-Suite Executives
Founders & Business Owners
Senior Leaders on the Rise
Results That Matter
Clients appreciate my ability to listen deeply, challenge constructively, and reflect insights they can act on immediately. I bring structure, strategy, and presence to every session.
Find Here Examples of Focus Areas My Clients Choose to Work On ➝
Strategic Thinking and Vision
• Anticipating future trends and aligning organizational goals with long-term strategies.
• Balancing short-term priorities with long-term objectives.
• Identifying opportunities for innovation and growth.
Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
• Developing self-awareness to understand personal strengths, weaknesses, and triggers.
• Cultivating empathy to build trust and foster meaningful relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Regulating emotions under pressure to maintain composure and navigate complex situations.
Decision-Making Under Uncertainty
• Making confident decisions even with incomplete information.
• Evaluating risks, weighing trade-offs, and acting decisively.
• Adapting strategies when circumstances change or new challenges arise.
Leadership Presence and Influence
• Strengthening executive presence to inspire confidence among peers, teams, and stakeholders.
• Enhancing persuasive communication skills to articulate vision clearly and align teams around shared goals.
• Influencing without authority by leveraging relationships, trust, and collaboration.
Team Building and Collaboration
• Fostering high-performing teams that operate with trust, accountability, and shared purpose.
• Managing conflict constructively to strengthen team dynamics and improve collaboration.
• Creating a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion that enhances team performance.
Agility and Change Management
• Leading through ambiguity, uncertainty, and organizational change with resilience.
• Engaging teams during transitions by aligning them around a compelling vision for the future.
• Managing resistance while implementing new initiatives or driving innovation.
Results Orientation
• Delivering measurable outcomes aligned with organizational priorities while maintaining focus on values.
• Driving operational efficiency without compromising quality or employee well-being.
• Holding oneself accountable for achieving key performance indicators (KPIs).
Cross-Cultural Competence
• Leading diverse teams across global markets with cultural sensitivity and inclusivity.
• Navigating cross-cultural communication challenges effectively to foster collaboration across geographic boundaries.
• Building inclusive environments where all voices are valued and respected.
Innovation and Creativity
• Challenging the status quo to explore unconventional solutions that drive progress.
• Encouraging team creativity by creating a safe space for idea generation and experimentation.
• Integrating innovative technologies or processes into existing workflows to enhance productivity.
Ethical Leadership
• Making decisions with integrity while balancing business goals with social responsibility.
• Role modeling ethical behavior that aligns with organizational values such as respect, transparency, and customer focus.
• Advocating for sustainable practices that benefit both the organization and society.
Stakeholder Management
• Building trust with internal and external stakeholders through transparency and authenticity.
• Managing competing interests while maintaining alignment with strategic goals.
• Communicating complex ideas simply for diverse audiences to ensure clarity.
Continuous Learning Mindset
• Committing to lifelong learning through formal education, certifications, or self-directed growth initiatives.
• Embracing feedback as a tool for personal development and professional growth.
• Mentoring others while seeking mentorship for self-improvement.
Digital Literacy
• Leveraging emerging technologies like AI or data analytics for decision-making, collaboration, and innovation.
• Understanding cybersecurity risks and developing strategies to mitigate them.
• Using digital tools effectively to enhance productivity across teams.
Crisis Management Skills
• Staying calm under pressure when navigating crises or high-stakes situations.
• Developing contingency plans that mitigate risks effectively during uncertain times.
• Communicating clearly during crises to provide direction and reassurance.
Values-Based Leadership
• Aligning leadership behaviors with organizational values such as integrity, respect, innovation, or customer focus.
• Demonstrating authenticity by leading with purpose, passion, and transparency.
• Advocating for employee well-being while driving business results.
Resilience and Adaptability
• Developing resilience to recover quickly from setbacks or challenges.
• Adapting leadership styles based on situational needs or team dynamics.
• Maintaining focus during periods of rapid change or uncertainty.
Delegation and Empowerment
• Sharing responsibilities effectively to maximize team potential while avoiding micromanagement.
• Building trust in team members’ capabilities by providing support without overstepping.
• Focusing on strategic priorities rather than operational details.
Conflict Management
• Addressing interpersonal conflicts constructively to build stronger relationships within teams.
• Navigating tensions between competing priorities or stakeholders effectively.
• Developing strategies for managing difficult conversations productively.
Work-Life Integration
• Balancing professional responsibilities with personal well-being by setting clear boundaries.
• Avoiding burnout while maintaining productivity through effective time management.
• Prioritizing self-care as a foundation for sustainable leadership success.
Results That Matter
Christopher Ashby
Through our sessions, he provided invaluable insights and practical strategies that empowered me to take actionable steps toward my professional development. Azhar creates a safe and supportive environment that encourages growth and self-discovery, making each session feel both impactful and inspiring. Azhar is an incredible career coach with an impressive corporate career to back up his advice and guidance. He is thoughtful and kind but pushes you to think critically about your path and guides you into action with his very sound and pragmatic advice.
Hugo Santos
Each minute of his time is intentional and He also provides great tools that are synthesized and easy to apply in our busy executive schedules. It was a privilege to be coached by Azhar for 6 months, which coincided with a great growth opportunity, that I was able to navigate so much easily with his help. Azhar
Gregg Peters
I had the privilege of working with Azhar as my executive coach for approximately six months, and it was a transformative experience. Azhar's wealth of executive-level experience in large organizations shone through in every session. His insights and advice were invaluable, covering a spectrum of topics from communicating vision and building relationships to team leadership and time management.
John Huang
Every coaching session with Azhar was an amazing experience. IThe sessions have been a great combination of therapy, goal setting, and learning a tremendous amount of balancing between 10,000 feet view to the immediate feet on the ground execution. I worked with him for 6 months and moved from my manager position to an executive director role with a fabulous organization! I can’t speak highly enough to how Mr Syed helped me grow. If you’re stagnant and looking to grow professionally, I highly recommend working with Mr Syed! Invest in yourself.
Saurabh Agarwal
Azhar helped me navigate complex situations and provided practical strategies for tackling obstacles I hadn't previously considered. Thanks to his guidance, I developed a newfound confidence in my abilities and achieved tangible results.
Nimisha Asthagiri
Azhar is a fantastic coach and I highly recommend him to anyone seeking an external voice to expand your own thoughts, identify your blind spots, or simply to guide your career and life goals and paths.
Credentials & Experience That Set Me Apart
Certifications & Education
- ICF PCC Certified Coach
- CPA (Certified Public Accountant)
- Directorship Certified™, NACD
- Graduate, Executive & Professional Coaching – University of Texas
- Certified Lifelong Learner – IMD, Switzerland
- EQi & Hogan Certified
- Authorized Partner – Wiley (DiSC®, Five Behaviors®)
Coaching Experience
- Executive Coach – Tetra Pak Group
- Leadership Coach – Doerr Institute, Rice University
- Executive Coach – LHH
- 30+ years in executive roles with global responsibility
Industry & Functional Background
- Food & Beverage, FMCG, Engineering, E-commerce, Healthcare, Financial Services
- Supply Chain, Procurement, Sales, Finance, Risk, Transformation
Global Perspective
- Lived and worked in the Middle East, Europe, and North America
- Traveled to over 100 countries engaging employees, customers, and partners
About Me
I’m Azhar Ali Syed, a leadership and executive coach with over 30 years of experience as a CEO, CFO, CPO, Board Member, and Committee Chair. I coach C-suite executives and senior leaders who want to drive meaningful impact without losing themselves in the process.
I’ve been where you are leading transformation, managing global teams, and making tough calls under pressure. I know how heavy that seat can be, and I will help you carry it better.
Let’s talk about what’s next for your leadership.
