Think differently

about your career

Helping mid-career leaders cut through the BS with candid leadership and career coaching and values-driven action plans

Leadership and Career Coaching

These people got results. It’s your turn now.

Lynn Conlin
Lynn Conlin
2023-12-30
I had the pleasure of connecting with Darren at a networking event and was impressed by his ability to make you feel like a longtime friend rather than someone you just met. We remained in touch over the years and I recently had the opportunity to work with him as my career coach. I have been a fan of his LinkedIn posts, his writing style, the lessons he shares and his wit. It seemed natural to connect with him as a career coach as well. Darren has a unique ability to comfortably get you out of your comfort zone. He will challenge you to think differently; he asks insightful questions to help you probe your inner thoughts and look at where you want to be. He combines life lessons with job search lessons to make for well-rounded coaching sessions. Darren provided invaluable input on my resume as well as interview skills. He is a accomplished career and life coach and if you are in a place where you feel stuck or just need that nudge to keep you moving forward in your search, I highly recommend working with Darren.
Kevin Peterson
Kevin Peterson
2023-11-03
Darren's guidance has been valuable to my job search journey. He provided advice on crafting a compelling resume and an engaging cover letter, helping me stand out in a competitive market. He offered a wealth of resources from interview tips to networking strategies. I highly recommend Darren to anyone at the beginning stages of their job search.
Mark Blechman
Mark Blechman
2023-08-18
I connected with Darren at an inflection point in my life - personally and professionally. I am so grateful our paths intersected. Darren coached me through the intensive Positive Intelligence program, which propelled me into a course correction in how I navigate relationships and approach challenging situations. Darren’s support gave me the confidence to explore an exciting new path in my career. Thank you for everything, Darren!
Carri Pryor
Carri Pryor
2023-07-08
Darren is an incredible coach, leader and mentor. I have had the privilege of working with him throughout the past year as my leadership coach and then he was our moderator through the Positive Intelligence program. As my leadership coach, he was always curious and inquisitive and helped me dig to the root of the challenges I was facing as a leader. And although he is helpful in making suggestions when I was coming up blank, he was very encouraging to help me develop my own thoughts and solutions. I would also HIGHLY recommend working with him through the Positive Intelligence program. This program helped me to sort through a number of deep rooted challenges I was facing both personally and professionally. Darren is genuine and caring and is phenomenal at what he does. I highly recommend working with him!
Travis Chastain
Travis Chastain
2023-06-28
Darren is the best! He has helped so much in moving from darkness and lack of clarity on the direction of my business to small, digestible and consistent steps to take. He is very kind and he helps me talk out and clarify what’s already in me. Since working with Darren I have made such in roads for my business. Business is growing everyday in no small part due to his help! Thank you Darren!
Erin Scott
Erin Scott
2023-05-08
I reached out to Darren as I was spinning my wheels on getting feedback from companies I was interested in working for. His approach help me hone into what I found most valuable in a company and align my search to find roles that were a better fit. What I went in looking for was help to figure out why I wasn't being noticed - what I received was incredible career coaching and support. Thanks Darren!
Emily Raguse
Emily Raguse
2022-12-14
Work with Darren! I was fortunate to work with Darren during the pandemic. Like many people in the pandemic era I was going through a season of change as it related to my career. I was lacking confidence and clarity in what my next career move was going to look like. Darren provided tools that enabled me to articulate my story, rebuild my confidence, and get clear on my next career move. He also introduced me to Positive Intelligence - which I still use today in my work. I really appreciated his focus on mindset and getting clear on my personal values and goals and then making sure that aligned for my next role. An excellent coach to work with if you are looking for a holistic approach to your career journey!
Corrine Hill
Corrine Hill
2022-09-30
Darren is awesome. He helped me to take all of the "abstract" things about me and my leadership qualities and condense them into a narrative that allows me to easily convey, to a broad audience, why I am good at what I do for work. My work with him has been affirming in many ways. I'm looking forward to future engagements with Darren as my career progresses! I highly recommend Darren.
shana troyer
shana troyer
2022-08-02
I was introduced to Darren through a mutual friend/colleague during a time of great professional turmoil. To say I was lost was an understatement. I had lost all of my professional confidence and I wasn't sure what was next for me. My anxiety was at an all time high. The first thing Darren did was introduce me to Positive Intelligence (PQ). This was instrumental in helping me really look deeply within myself. Why I was reacting the way I was, where my belief system originated, labeling my thought processes for what they were, and helping me change so many of those thought patterns. It also gave me the tools to help me when I was overcome with anxiety. As we worked together, Darren never pushed me to see things his way or do what he would do. He would listen to me, he would help me dig deep into why I was thinking/behaving a certain way and how those thoughts/behaviors may be sabotaging me. He encouraged me to move beyond my comfort zone and to do things differently, if I wanted a different result. And more than that, he really helped me find me again....helped me relight my spark and regain some of my confidence. I was able to narrow down what it is I want to do and how I want to show up in my next role. In the four months we worked together, I went from having no interviews and being unsure of what I wanted to do, to being offered a role with an amazing company. I have been able to let go of many of my self limiting beliefs and self sabotage. I can't say enough good things about Darren or his coaching style. If you are stuck in your world, Darren can help you get unstuck. When he says "I've got your back," he means it.
Nathan Tigges
Nathan Tigges
2022-07-27
I had the pleasure of working with Darren 2 years ago just before the beginning of the pandemic. I had already been looking to transition my job before I was laid off due to covid, but Darren helped me to focus my efforts, figure out exactly what I was looking to do and put me in front of people he knew that would help me to get where I wanted to go in my career. Not only did he do that, but he was flexible with me on scheduling sessions to fit my schedule and worked with me while I searched for a new job. He encouraged me to change the way I think about job searching and ultimately I ended up in a position that wasn't even hiring when I had reached out as a result of putting his coaching into practice. I believe Darren is effective at what he does to the point that when my wife was thinking of leaving her long term career but wasn't sure how to do that or where to go I strongly recommended that she at least have the initial consultation with Darren. She ended up doing his full 9 week coaching and landed her dream job.

You’re stuck, and it sucks

Right now, work is being reinvented all over the world. And what I see is too many mid-career leaders struggling to feel alive in a place that just doesn’t fit anymore. If that’s you, I bet you’re re-thinking where, how, and why you work.

ARE YOU:

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Feeling stuck, lost, and unsure of what to do?

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Feeling uninspired and unmotivated in your job?

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Wanting to achieve more, do more, and be more?

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Trying to come up with a plan for the next step in your career?

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Going through change - whether that’s a new role, restructuring, or a career pivot?

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Struggling with imposter syndrome and wondering how to feel confident again?

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Being passed over for promotions or receiving poor performance evaluations?

Making change and getting real about your work starts with your VALUES

Isn’t it time you felt calm, peaceful, supported, and happy in your work, and your life? Shifting your thinking begins with finding a safe, judgment-free zone where you can actually be yourself.

When you get candid feedback and real-life experience to help you make your big moves you define a clear path to find your greatness.

DON’T GO IT ALONE!

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Get someone on YOUR team for an unbiased, outside perspective

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Cut through the BS with candid feedback that helps you get real about your career

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Leverage real-life expertise so you don’t waste time with unproven methods

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Access a structured (but FLEXIBLE) framework for success that is action-oriented

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Take control of your career and achieve your greatness!

20 Years in HR and Talent Acquisition

Credible, real-life experience for exceptional results

Action-Oriented

Proven frameworks for clarity, accountability, and success

Guidance With Heart

Align your career with your values and find your true path

HERE’S HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER

Choose your own adventure

It all begins here

FREE Core Values Assessment

Discover your core values in 30 minutes or less. My straightforward values assessment helps you choose, evaluate, and rank your core values providing you with an effective list of what really matters to you.

Make your move

Career Transition Action Plans

Looking for a new job can feel like an overwhelming process. Whether you’ve just lost a job, aren’t satisfied in your current job, want something more, or you’re deciding to make a career change, it can seem like you’re navigating a black hole.​ I can be a guiding light to help you gain clarity on your career goals and lay out the steps to get you there.

Self-awareness = happiness

The Positive Intelligence Workshop

Learn the secret sauce that lets you tap into your positive, true self so you can handle life’s challenges and achieve your greatness. A 16-week mental fitness program that develops your mental muscles using proven neuroscience research and coaching for real and sustained change!

Let’s get real

Candid + Compassionate Leadership Coaching

My leadership coaching helps you look holistically at your career, and be more effective, productive, and motivated.

Get a trusted coach and advisor who advocates for you, your future, and your happiness.

MEET

Darren Kanthal

New Yorker at heart, Outdoors Adventurer, Empathetic and Candid Professional Coach

As an honorable and respectable New Yorker, it’s in my blood to bust people’s chops, be loud, direct, and abrupt. But somewhere along the way, these traits stopped serving me, and in fact, they held me back.

After losing a terrific job I enjoyed, I had to stop placing blame on everyone and everything else and start holding myself accountable.

After a lot of soul searching, studying, and admitting to my mom that she was right all along, I learned how to play the game of life in a more effective and compassionate way. I now use my experience of getting knocked down, brushing myself off, and growing as a human to guide you in avoiding the same mistakes I made.

With candor, humor, and my New York charm and heart, I’m here to go all-in with you and help you create YOUR values-driven career plan to build a life you’re proud of.

Darren’s clients are flourishing at companies including

It’s time to make your move.

STEP 1

Schedule a call with me and get clear on your values and goals

STEP 2

Together we create a values-driven and action-oriented career plan

STEP 3

Embrace change, grow as a leader, and achieve your greatness!

Real Talk About Leadership and Career Moves

Honest conversations about leadership coaching, career coaching,
and what the world might hold for you next.

TRY OUR FREE CORE VALUES ASSESSMENT

Choose, evaluate, and rank your core values with our simple and straightforward assessment.

Discover Your Core Values

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