Gary Payne

Gary Payne is an accomplished CEO and Executive Leadership Team (ELT) Coach, fully credentialed with the International Coach Federation. With extensive experience as a first-time CEO, P&L leader, and executive search consultant, Gary brings deep leadership insight and business acumen to his work. He coaches senior executives across North America, focusing on first-time CEOs, C-Suite leaders, and high-potential talent. Gary helps leaders strengthen their emotional intelligence to elevate personal and organizational performance. His clients span industries including Technology, Industrial, Consumer, Healthcare, Financial Services, Energy, Not-for-Profit, and Professional Services.

While each coaching engagement is unique, Gary focuses on three core areas in his work:

• Emotional Intelligence Coaching and Neuroscience: By leveraging scientifically backed concepts, Gary helps clients better understand their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. This self-awareness empowers leaders to make meaningful changes, improve decision-making, and cultivate healthier habits. Gary uses simple, practical techniques to help leaders rewire their thinking, take ownership of their thoughts, and overcome limitations, fostering the growth of their emotional intelligence.

• Systemic Leadership Team Coaching: Gary works with leaders to develop and lead Senior Leadership Teams using the Systemic Team Coaching 5 Disciplines model, driving value creation for all stakeholders. He helps leaders evolve their individual and collective leadership into a competitive advantage, enabling them to achieve strategic goals and navigate today’s complex business landscape.

• Solving Critical Challenges in a VUCA World: Gary understands the challenges leaders face in a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous world. He meets clients where they are to address critical strategic issues, conflicts, and challenges, equipping them with tools to navigate constant change.

A defining point in Gary's career was his six-year tenure as the CEO of a Private Equity-backed Industrial Services company, where he tripled the EBITDA of the business organically before its sale in 2008. This firsthand experience as a CEO enables him to empathize with the pressures of the C-Suite, the dynamics of company strategy, what it’s like to report to a Board, the unique challenges in building an Executive Leadership Team, and the art of effectively managing the stressors inherent in executive roles.

Gary is also passionate about helping college students grow as leaders. He works with the Doerr Institute for New Leaders at Rice University, coaching students through leadership development programs and has led multiple group coaching programs on topics such as Developing and Sustaining Resilience, Developing Trust as a Superpower, and Living and Leading with Purpose.