

Jo Wagstaff
Jo Wagstaff
I’m a leadership coach, facilitator, and speaker with a background in executive leadership and training in somatic psychotherapy. I bring over 15 years’ experience helping leaders and teams lead more authentically, perform more effectively, and thrive from the inside out. Earlier in my career, I sat at the executive table of some of Australia’s top financial institutions, leading high-performing teams with bold visions. After years of success, burnout became a turning point—one that reshaped my understanding of leadership. Today, I draw on both executive and inner work to support leaders at all levels – from emerging leaders to C suite – in cultivating self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and conscious, high-impact leadership.
I specialise in creating conscious leadership, executive coaching, team effectiveness and sustainable high performance. My focus is helping leaders upgrade their inner operating system—building the self-awareness, emotional intelligence and clarity needed to lead with greater impact and alignment.
I have a strong track record across a range of sectors including financial services, professional services and technology. I’ve supported leadership development in global organisations, high-growth start-ups and purpose-led businesses.
I regularly speak at conferences on the future of leadership and conscious performance, and I’m the author of the best-selling book Lead Like You: How Authenticity Transforms the Way Women Live, Love & Succeed (Wiley, 2024).
My approach is rooted in radical self-awareness, authenticity and the belief that true leadership begins within. I help leaders and teams pause, reflect and reconnect with what really matters—so they can lead from a place of clarity, alignment and purpose.
I blend strategic insight with deep human understanding. My work is informed by executive leadership experience, somatic psychotherapy, and coaching psychology, but most of all, by a deep respect for the complexity of being human. I create psychologically safe spaces where people feel both seen and stretched—where honesty, insight and meaningful transformation can unfold.
What I value most in this work is witnessing people come home to themselves—when they stop performing leadership and start embodying it.
Clients tell me my style is warm, intuitive and direct. I listen deeply. I’m not afraid to ask bold questions. I hold space with compassion, but I also challenge lovingly—so the growth is real, embodied, and sustainable
Outside of my work, I’m a lover of ocean swims, soulful conversations, and long walks in nature. I’m passionate about living a life that’s aligned—where success includes rest, joy, connection, and purpose.
While I take the work seriously, I never take myself too seriously. I believe a little humour, humility and heart can go a long way—especially in leadership.