Successful on the Outside. Still Finding It Hard to Switch Off?
Leadership and executive coaching for former boarders and high-achieving professionals who are tired of always being “on” — helping you move from survival-driven success to a calmer, more connected and sustainable way of living and leading.
Piers Cross
Leadership and Executive Coach
Specialising in emotionally intelligent,
trauma-informed leadership
➡️ Many of the leaders I work with are highly capable, conscientious, and successful — yet internally cannot switch off, always working, struggles to rest, carries everything alone, and their relationships suffer.
➡️ They are often calm on the outside, while holding significant emotional responsibility beneath the surface, often a symptom of boarding school syndrome.
➡️ For some, this way of being was shaped early — by boarding school, high expectations, or environments where emotional self-reliance became a necessity rather than a choice.
This work is about understanding those patterns — not to dwell on the past, but to lead with greater clarity, emotional intelligence, and self-trust in the present.
I work with leaders to develop a more grounded, heart-centred way of leading — in their work, their relationships, and their relationship with themselves.
Leadership maturity is not developed through insight alone.
It requires learning how to relate differently to our inner world — our emotions, our nervous system, and the patterns that shaped us long before we entered positions of responsibility.
The work I offer is grounded in a simple premise:
✅ when leaders develop emotional intelligence and inner coherence, they lead with greater clarity, steadiness, and humanity.
This is not about revisiting the past for its own sake.
It is about
understanding what shaped you — so you are no
longer unconsciously driven by it. You can then live a life of greater inner peace and true contentment.
My work includes leadership coaching, group pathways, writing, and documentary projects exploring how early environments — including boarding school — shape adult leadership and culture.
Boarding On Insanity Documentary
I am also a producer of Boarding on Insanity, a documentary exploring the long-term impact of boarding school on children, relationships, and leadership culture, in conversation with leading voices including Dr Gabor Maté.
Learn more about the documentary
0
How I Work With Leaders
01
1-to-1 Executive Coaching
Deep, relational coaching for senior leaders and founders.
02
The Compassionate Leader Pathway
A 13-week group pathway developing emotional intelligence, relational maturity, and inner clarity.
03
Speaking, Writing & Advocacy
Including work on boarding school, trauma, and leadership culture.
If you’re exploring the next stage of your leadership, you’re welcome to apply for a conversation.
"I’ve always been suspicious of the words “life changing”, because I’ve spent a decade or two trying to change my life without success. But those words do apply to Piers."
Humphrey Waterhouse
Co-Founder,
Ministry of Sound,
London
"I worked with Piers for 8 months.
During this period a number of miracles occurred in my life and Piers is at the source of these.
I
generated £275,000...I
healed many emotional issues."
James C
Real Estate Director, UK
"I'm delighted with the results we've achieved in such a short space of time. I highly recommend Piers as a practitioner..."
Rod Boothroyd
Author,
Warrior, Magician, Lover, King
Leading begins within.
You will struggle to lead others
if you have not learned to lead yourself first.
