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Mike James Ross is a coach and leadership advisor working with executives, founders, and boards on leadership transitions and organizational culture
Mike James Ross is a coach and leadership advisor working with executives, founders, and boards on leadership transitions and organizational culture
What I offer:
Executive coaching
Board advisory
Team development and alignment
Organizational culture transformation support
Speaking and workshop facilitation
About me:
I am currently a coach and leadership advisor at Egon Zehnder, completing a PhD on meaning in work, the Co-Chair of the Board for the National Theatre School of Canada, and a member of the Board and the former CHRO of Simons, a leading North American retailer, with ~5,000 employees.
Prior to Simons, I founded Juniper, a leadership advisory and development firm that works with global organizations such as Google and Cirque du Soleil to help build better organizational cultures, one leader at a time.
I was also a consultant at McKinsey & Company, focused on transforming Fortune 100 companies into better workplaces and have founded and successfully exited an EdTech startup, been a finance lawyer, a private equity and venture capital investor, and ran a peace negotiations project in the Middle East.
I live in Montreal with my partner and twin 13 year olds.
Qualifications:
Professional Experience
Advisor and Coach - Egon Zehnder
CHRO and Board Member - La Maison Simons
Entrepreneur - Juniper, Vocaprep
Consultant - McKinsey
PE and VC Investor - Sprott, Staircase Ventures, other angel investments
Finance lawyer - Various
Certifications
ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC)
ICD.D
Education
PhD (in progress) Meaning in Work - Concordia University
MBA (Gold Medalist) - McGill University
JD (Law) - University of Toronto
MA (International Relations) - University of Toronto
BA (Political Philosophy) - Concordia University
About my leadership coaching philosophy and approach
I believe we lead best when we serve — and my greatest privilege is helping clients realize their full potential, whether as individuals, teams, or entire organizations.
My recent publications in
My recent publications in
Harvard Business Review
Harvard Business Review
See my article titled: Resilience Won't Save Your Organization, Adaptability Will
The Globe and Mail
The Globe and Mail
I am a regular contributor, particularly on coaching and leadership
See the full list of my recent publications on leadership in The Globe and Mail
Les Affaires
Les Affaires
Le Coaching du Réel (my monthly column)
See the full list of my recent publications on leadership in Les Affaires
About my book - Intention: The Surprising Psychology of High Performers
About my book - Intention: The Surprising Psychology of High Performers
We’re stuck. Stuck to the couch. Stuck scrolling. Stuck at work. Stuck in worn-out paths of habitual action. Stuck in patterns and echo chambers of thought. Stuck in carefully curated lives where we’ve traded our agency for endless comforts that wrap us in existential ennui.
This book is a practical guide to unsticking yourself and infusing purpose into your life in a deliberate and evidence-based way. Through a combination of inspiring stories about unlikely high performers and evidence from the bleeding edge of behavioral science, philosophy, leadership theory, and psychology, INTENTION presents you with a toolkit for learning five very trainable skills to help you realize your potential and live at your best.
"Intention is an expression of our identity, and to live without it is to lose ourselves"
What expert reviewers are saying about the book
What expert reviewers are saying about the book
“INTENTION is an exhilarating exploration into the power of purposeful living. Unearth the secrets of an engaging life, masterfully interwoven with science and practicality!”
Tony Robbins, #1 NY Times Bestselling author, entrepreneur and philanthropist
“INTENTION is a true gem that delves into the psychology behind high achievers while offering practical applications for those seeking success — despite feeling stuck or unmotivated. The brilliance of this book lies in its ability to simplify complex concepts, making them accessible to everyone. With a keen focus on the research surrounding successful individuals, the authors provide an invaluable guide for anyone striving to enhance their lives, achieve their goals, and unleash their full potential. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking growth and excellence in their personal and professional journey.”
Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, Thinkers50 #1 Executive Coach and New York Times bestselling author of The Earned Life, Triggers, and What Got You Here Won’t Get You There
"INTENTION decodes the art of personal growth in a distracted world, showing us the key to a richer life.”
Nir Eyal, bestselling author of Indistractable and Hooked
“If you’re looking for a better way to be human, to get the most of your experience of being alive, look no further than this book. It’s a treasure trove of insight.”
Jeff Goins, bestselling author of The Art of Work
“I highly recommend that you read INTENTION. I’ve used the power of intention in my own work for decades, and I wish I’d had this book when I began. A key distinction of INTENTION is that the authors use a scientific lens to show how intention can be trained. This is good news, indeed, for those who want to employ intention as a skill professionally or personally. Read INTENTION and grow your own powers of intention.”
Gay Hendricks, Ph.D., author of The Big Leap
INTENTION is a sharp and engaging book that uncovers the roots of peak performance. If you're looking for a 30,000-foot birds-eye view of what it means to be a high achiever, INTENTION is an excellent compendium that gathers together research from fields as diverse as sleep, willpower, curiosity, and self-belief. Highly recommended.
Adam Alter, New York Times bestselling author of Irresistible and Anatomy of a Breakthrough, Professor of Marketing and Psychology at NYU's Stern School of Business
Additional publications
Videos of me giving talks and workshops
Videos of me giving talks and workshops
Selected Testimonials
Selected Testimonials
"Mike is the best I've seen at finding the right questions to ask. He digs to the core and then challenges it. He applies the same principles as a coach and mentor. I've been fortunate to have Mike challenge me to take more risk, to go off the well beaten path, and to think independently. Without a doubt, his guidance and advice has helped me with many personal and professional breakthroughs."
- PE MD
"Mike and his invaluable insights have helped re-shape the way I view a lot of my professional life with regards to goal setting, organising and acting upon said goals and getting out of my comfort zone."
- Tech Product Leader
"In addition to his creativity, he has an unparalleled passion and drive for the work that he does. It is truly a pleasure to work with Mike, and I hope to have the opportunity to do so again in the future!"
- PE Strategy and Operations Leader
"Mike is the go-to person for strategic advice. Whether pivoting careers, negotiating a deal, or understanding a complex issue, Mike has provided thoughtful, timely counsel, ultimately allowing me to make a greater impact while considering authenticity, intention and purpose."
- Senior Government Official
"Few people get the opportunity to work with someone so capable in helping others evolve both professionally and personally. I was always impressed with Mike’s ability to help me understand the external and personal obstacles I faced more clearly than I ever could myself."
- Finance Leadership
"Today, I dream big and show up boldly, and I can say without hesitation that I’ve never felt this confident in both my professional and personal life. I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Mike for his guidance, encouragement, and belief in me. He’s not just a mentor but a true architect of growth, and I know I’ll continue seeking his wisdom for years to come.Thank you, Mike!"
- Entrepreneur
"Mike has been a life-changing influence on me. The consistency of his thoughtfulness and sincere curiosity is unparalleled. He has the rare gift of being able to creatively formulate bold suggestions and strategically lay out tactical recommendations all while avoiding prescriptiveness and demonstrating the humility to challenge his thoughts in real time."
- MBB Consultant
"A natural mentor and coach, Mike cares about people. This gives him the unique skill of being a values-driven superconnector. He always has an eye out for how to connect strangers that he has crossed paths with to create new symbiotic relationships and collaborations amongst others."
- HR Leader
"Mike has served as a trusted advisor to me for over a decade now, and I am continuously thankful to have him as a strategic resource."
- Entrepreneur
Quick answers
What does Mike do? Mike is an executive coach and leadership advisor working with executives, founders, teams, and boards on leadership transitions, organizational culture, and finding meaning in work.
Is he available for coaching? Yes — Mike works with individual executives and founders as well as teams and boards. Contact him to discuss fit.
Where is he located? Montreal, Quebec, Canada — he works with clients locally and internationally.
What are his credentials? PCC (ICF), ICD.D, MBA (Gold Medalist, McGill), JD (University of Toronto), and a PhD (in progress) on meaning in work at Concordia.
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