Executive Partnering
CEO Advisory
& Coaching
From strategy to execution.
You're a capable CEO leading an organisation with incredible potential. You care about getting it right.
But you're constantly reacting to operational issues instead of doing the strategic work that matters most. Complex team dynamics drain your energy while trying to make decisions that matter.
The responsibility you carry creates a different kind of pressure that most people simply don't appreciate.
CEOs don't lack intelligence or ambition. They stall in the gap between knowing what needs to happen and actually making it happen. Executive Partnering closes that gap.
More than a coach.
Traditional coaching programs aren't enough for CEOs. This is a blend of advisory, coaching and best practice expertise that's adapted to you and your context.
It's a partnership built around The ADAPT Approach - a mechanism for translating strategic vision into consistent execution, without sacrificing yourself in the process.
You get an experienced, trusted partner and strategic right-hand.
The CEO Collective
Leadership is lonely.
The CEO Collective changes that. This is a curated community of SME and for-purpose CEOs who understand the pressure you're under, because they're carrying it too.
It's a space for honest conversation, shared challenges, and the kind of peer support that doesn't exist inside your own organisation.
Where geography allows, Executive Partnering includes access to the Collective as part of the engagement.
Who is this for?
This partnership is built for SME and for-purpose CEOs carrying the contradictory forces of uncertainty, opportunity, change, growth, pressure, people dynamics and the isolation that comes with sitting at the top.
It is for those who are looking for a partner who will tell you the truth, who you'll enjoy working with and who will be with you through thick and thin, then read on.
The ADAPT Approach™
The ‘Adapt Approach’ is based on the philosophy that successful adaptive leadership requires:
Awareness: Seeing yourself and your business clearly, without the blind spots. Deliberate: Moving from reactive to intentional, every time.
Adaptive: communication, leadership and mindset and approach.
Purposeful: Doing fewer things, better, and letting go of the rest.
Traction: Turning insight into consistent, measurable execution.
What this delivers
Strategic clarity and decision-making: Cutting through noise to make sharper, faster calls with confidence.
Executive presence and difficult conversations: Showing up as the leader your business and people need, especially when it's hard.
Team alignment and performance: Building a leadership team that executes without you carrying every decision.
Sustainable pace and wellbeing: Leading at a cadence you can sustain, not one that burns you out.
Inclusions
While each program is fully tailored, key components typically include:
Deep-dive strategic review: A clear-eyed assessment of where you, your team and your organisation stands.
Kick-off strategy session: Setting direction and priorities from day one.
Fortnightly or monthly coaching: Tailored to you for sustained, structured partnership over time
Unlimited SOS calls: Support when you need it, not just when it's scheduled
CEO Collective access: A peer community of leaders navigating the same terrain
*Minimum six-month partnership, because real change takes time.
About Sophie Graves
With a depth of experience across culture, strategy, communication, leadership and organisational development, I've spent my career working alongside CEOs who lead with ambition and care.
My approach is direct, warm, grounded, and built on what actually moves the needle.
More information on the about page.
Ready to talk?
If you're carrying the weight of leadership and know something needs to shift, the next step is a confidential conversation. No obligation and no pressure.
*Please note that limited places are available for this program*
What CEOs Say
I engaged Sophie to help me with my executive development, decision making and to avoid burnout. I wanted clarity on how I could best value-add, rather than working through a draining to-do list.
Sophie’s support enabled me to operate more sustainably, I’m feeling more balanced and satisfied. I’m clearer on what's reasonable and am doubling down on where I can have disproportionate influence.
Her approach is warm and direct, with a mix of support advice and challenge. I’ve valued her real-world experience, and her experience guiding other clients. I like that she has the best interests at heart for myself, as well as the business and stakeholders.
The work has been more holistic than I expected. The psychological elements of leadership have become a significant part of our conversations, and it's changed how I see myself in my role.
If you're a senior leader stuck in a rut, I'd highly recommend Sophie to guide you through it.
Dr Chris Holden, Chairman, Imaging Associates
I engaged Sophie as a CEO coach at a time of considerable growth and change for the for-purpose organisation that I lead. Sophie's broad experience and deep expertise in a range of areas vital to CEO and organisational performance was immeasurably helpful. Sophie moves seamlessly from practical suggestions, idea generation, and deep reflective questions that broadened and clarified my thinking and direction.
Further, Sophie's warmth and wisdom in asking insightful questions during a time of great change enhanced my personal wellbeing and assuredness. That sense of calmness and confidence will remain, as Sophie is not merely a champion of my work, but develops enduring confidence through strategic questioning and efficient consideration of alternatives clearly developed through a career supporting a wide range of leaders. I wholeheartedly recommend Sophie to any NFP CEO seeking to lift their leadership capability, and the performance of their organisation.
Damian Stock, CEO, ARC Justice
I have engaged Sophie over a period of 10 years in three different organisations and have found her support, knowledge and program delivery to be invaluable.
Sophie has helped me with leadership development programs for my teams, executive development and coaching, strategy planning and execution, culture and organisational development, structural change career decision, team building and in the development of high performing team programs.
She has enormous breadth and depth of knowledge and is a pleasure to work with. Sophie really cares about the people she works with and truly partners with them to get the best results for both the individual and the organisation. Her support has helped me with the decision making and execution as a leader, to improve organisational people management, culture and performance.
I would highly recommend Sophie to take your organisation or individual development to the next level.
Caroline Mulcahy , CEO Skin & Cancer Foundation Inc
I have worked with Sophie in her capacity as a facilitator and a coach over the past few years. I have always found her style to be open, calm, clear and engaging. She is always well prepared and although not forceful with the group, has an amazing ability to 'round up the troops' to achieve some definitive actions and agreed next steps before the end of the session! As a coach, I have valued Sophie's advice and capacity to understand my needs and areas of focus and then work with me to clarify key goals and priority actions to achieve these. She is always very responsive, meets face to face and provides me with relevant literature or tools that relate to the area that I am working to improve. I really enjoy and respond to Sophie's clear, calm and authentic style and through my experience would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a facilitator or a coach.
Kellie-Ann Jolly, CEO Victoria, The Heart Foundation
I had the privilege of working with Sophie as my executive coach over the past year. Her expertise, strategic insights, and empathetic approach were invaluable during a critical period of career and leadership growth. Sophie's guidance was instrumental in helping me navigate the complexities of leading a high-growth tech business with confidence and clarity.
Sophie has an exceptional ability to ask insightful questions and inspire thoughtful self-reflection. Her clear, considered, and informed approach encouraged me to view challenges and my own leadership style from new perspectives. She strikes an ideal balance between being supportive and challenging me to step outside my comfort zone, which led to actionable insights that had a genuine and lasting impact on my leadership growth.
The trust and confidence I felt from Sophie was unwavering, and her impact on my development has been incredible. I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone seeking to strengthen their executive leadership skills, accelerate their professional growth or successfully navigate a career transition.
Richard Stevens, Local Agent Finder