Andrew Connolly
My leadership journey began on the slopes of Switzerland. What started as a three-week ski instructor gig turned into a decade of leading teams and leading marketing for a small multinational organization. Whether guiding beginners down a mountain or aligning teams toward business goals, I became fascinated by the dynamics of influence: What makes one person follow another—not just once, but again and again?
I quickly noticed the extremes. Some students were athletically gifted yet recklessly overconfident. Others stood frozen in fear. Both were at risk. I made it my job to help each of them navigate the terrain safely, build real capability, and leave wanting to get back on the lift for another run.
That same observation and discernment has guided my work with leaders over the past 25 years: How do you equip an individual, team, or organization with both the skill and the will to navigate uncertain, ever-changing conditions?
Eventually, I left the slopes to work with Dr. Paul Hersey, creator of the Situational Leadership® Model. As a member of the faculty at the Center for Leadership Studies, I spent the next decade helping leaders around the world improve performance, strengthen engagement, and achieve meaningful results through their teams. Under his mentorship, I deepened my understanding of influence and expanded my perspective through emotional intelligence, positive psychology, coaching, and authentic leadership.
Today, I describe myself as an organizational anthropologist. My work centers on helping leaders and organizations make sense of complexity, uncover patterns that others may miss, and translate insight into action. Whether coaching an executive, facilitating a leadership team, or helping an organization navigate change, my focus remains the same: helping people move confidently through uncertain terrain.
My practice is anchored in my purpose:
Connect. Discern. Shred the Gnar.
To me, this means forging meaningful connections with individuals and teams, uncovering untapped opportunities and perceived obstacles, and helping people build the skill and motivation to navigate from where they are to where they want to be—regardless of the conditions.
Because, as we know, life is gnarly.
