References

As a coach and facilitator, I deeply enjoy being part of enabling shared successes. Success is always contextual: on one hand, it means different things to different people and in different situations; on the other, every journey toward it is unpredictable and uniquely its own. When we do succeed, the experience is often richer and more nuanced than we could have imagined—and it opens up possibilities beyond what we could have thought.

I have had the privilege of accompanying many such journeys, working with experts, managers, and leaders in companies, public organizations, and the non-profit sector, as well as with numerous groups, teams, and networks. My clients operate in fields such as the pharmaceutical industry, software development, telecommunications and communications, as well as healthcare, education, and pedagogy. In recent years, I have collaborated extensively with universities.

What my clients say about individual coaching:

"Leni helped me identify my strengths as well as traits that make me vulnerable to overload. Her ability to distinguish what’s essential and make precise observations helped me clarify my values and act accordingly. Surprisingly, the embodied and narrative techniques used during the process proved especially effective—though they felt unfamiliar at first, the atmosphere the coach created made them insightful. The coaching made a tangible difference: I’ve begun daring to be less perfect and to share unfinished ideas more boldly. This reduced the strain I felt at work and improved my wellbeing. I recommend working with Leni to anyone facing experiences of overload—and to those looking for new direction in their work or life."
Psychiatrist
child psychiatry
"Leni’s coaching was the springboard for change in my work role. The process generated enthusiasm and gave me energy, as well as a deeper understanding of my resources, capabilities, and a host of tools needed to implement change. During the most impactful 1.5hour session, I recalibrated coping strategies I’d used for nearly 30 years. Afterward, I actively started using new thinking and practices that better serve my current challenges. I recommend Leni as an experienced and versatile coach whose special strength is empathy."
Kristiina Burtsoff
CHRO, Siili Solutions Oyj
"I’ve become more aware of how I act in everyday situations, the choices I make, and their impact on myself and my surroundings. During the coaching, creating a concrete framework helped make things clearer, and I was amazed at how many answers the coaching exercises generated from within me! I especially appreciate Leni’s coaching—it exudes deep experience and strong competence. A deep trust developed between us, and sharing difficult matters felt natural. I warmly recommend Leni as a coach, especially for experienced professionals in demanding work settings who wish to deepen their self-understanding and achieve optimal results in important professional interactions."
Business Unit Manager
pharmaceutical industry

What my clients say about group coaching:

"The group coaching helped me to clarify and connect with my hopes, values, and goals. It enhanced my self-awareness, my self-confidence and my capacity to navigate the challenges of the doctoral program – I now have more agency in my working life. During the process, I learned from others’ experiences and received peer support for my own challenges. I connected with my peers as individuals, as humans, as researchers and as a collective, increasing my sense of belonging and community."
Doctoral researcher
Aalto University School of Business

What my clients say about team coaching:

"Leni listened attentively to our real needs. She had prepared a program for us, but read the situation and adapted with flexibility. She addressed the issues beneath the surface and guided us through exactly what we needed to move forward. Afterwards, we felt both relieved and glad. It felt good to have spoken about the difficult matters. As a result, we were able to focus on our work. Now we have a shared goal – and we’re moving toward it together."
Principal
primary school
"Leni helped us succeed! She didn’t settle for quick fixes, but challenged us to go deeper – toward real insights and meaningful change. She identified what truly mattered and guided us forward."
Leader of management team
city organization
"I knew that Leni is a seasoned professional, but she exceeded my expectations in how she energized our group and inspired everyone to think fresh and challenge oneself. Leni was relentless when it comes to staying in the selected focus area, but still gave enough latitude for exploration to enable a relaxed, open and fruitful discussion. Her ability to listen and her positive, sincere and supportive demeanor enabled us to safely wander out of our comfort zone."
CEO
software development

What my clients say about thematic trainings:

"A clear process that chugged on energetically and kept a good balance between theory and practice. For once we succeeded keeping a good focus in our group. It was inspiring to examine a new topic in depth and in peace!"
Supervisor
leadership training
"We had the chance to reflect deeply while also finding concrete steps forward. Together, we generated great ideas, had rich discussions, and enjoyed a well-facilitated training – it even gave me inspiration for my own future trainings!"
Communication expert
facilitation training

What my clients say about facilitation:

"At Aalto University School of Business, Leni Grünbaum facilitated a workshop process aimed at bringing together actors working on equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) to foster meaningful collaboration and advance shared efforts. From this broad starting point, Leni played a key role in the planning phase by helping to clarify the project’s goals and shape the concrete steps needed for impactful workshops. In the workshop sessions, Leni’s skilful facilitation created a space for genuine dialogue, a sense of community, and collaborative action planning. Participants reported feeling motivated and empowered to act, and connected across roles. We warmly recommend Leni, especially for processes that call for thoughtful co-creation and support in crystallising the shared goals."
Laura Kangas-Müller, Post-Doctoral Researcher and Johanna Moisander, Professor, Organizational Communication
Aalto University School of Business

What my clients say about playback theatre performances:

"The best team building event ever!"
Student
Aalto University School of Business
"Silta’s performance gave our conference its soul."
Organizer
11th Worldwide Biography Conference 2022
"We decided to include a playback theatre performance by the Silta group in our workshop. Our aim was to foster encounters where researchers across different career stages and universities could come together to enrich each other’s work in a creative space. Playback theater provided a fruitful entry point to build connections by engaging with the arts in an accessible way: it involves a low threshold for participants, who do not have to ‘act’ to be involved! The performance enables a different time-space dynamics for collective discussion. It can support shared reflection by integrating individual experiences with the collective."
Ana Paula Lafaire, Doctoral Researcher & Organizer
Aalto University School of Business
"The performances by the Silta ensemble create a unique safe space for community building. They invite groups to reflect on their ‘growing pains’, as their own stories are improvised and made visible on stage. I have witnessed several times how these performances offer a tangible and impactful experience for participants to grow into a tightly knit group marked by empathy and mutual understanding."
Rebecca Piekkari, Marcus Wallenberg, Chair of International Business & Head of the International Business Unit
Aalto University School of Business