About Iris Grimm
On the surface, leadership can look clear and controlled.
Inside, it’s often more layered than that.
The way I see leadership today wasn’t shaped in one role or one industry. It developed over time, through experiences that changed how I observe people, pressure, communication, and the way behavior shifts under stress.
Most of the leaders I work with are highly capable people carrying significant responsibility. From the outside, much of it looks fine. But in the middle of fast decisions, pressure, and constant movement, it’s often harder to see what’s actually driving how people think, respond, and lead.
That’s the part of leadership I’ve become most interested in.
Not just what people do.
But how they show up while doing it.
Where This Perspective Began
I grew up in East Germany, in a system where structure was strong, freedom was limited, and you learned quickly to pay attention.
You noticed how people behaved.
What was said, and what wasn’t.
How decisions were made, how people adapted, and how much could exist beneath the surface of an interaction.
At the same time, it created a deep appreciation for freedom. Freedom to think for yourself, express yourself, and take responsibility for how you show up, not just what you do.
That combination, awareness, responsibility, and the importance of relationships, still shapes how I see leadership today.
Not just as what people do.
But how they show up while doing it.
What Shaped My Work
Over the past 25+ years, I’ve worked with leaders, founders, and professionals across industries. What consistently drew my attention was how people actually think and respond in real situations, especially under pressure.
Not in theory.
In the middle of decisions, conversations, uncertainty, and complexity.
And interestingly, some of the clearest lessons came from working with dogs.
Training my own dogs, competing with them, and continuing to volunteer with rescue organizations and foster dogs creates situations where behavior, communication, and the interdependence between the handler and the dog become visible very quickly.
You can immediately see how clarity, consistency, hesitation, tension, or emotional steadiness shape the response between both.
Dogs don’t respond to titles or intentions. They respond to how you show up in the moment.
Over time, I realized the same patterns exist in leadership.
Behavior drives response.
That perspective eventually became part of my TEDx talk, where I explored how leadership often reveals itself in ways we don’t immediately notice.
The Deeper Layer
How I work with clients is shaped not only by professional experience, but also by my own ongoing personal development and observation practice.
Over time, practices like meditation, extended silent retreats, time with dogs, hiking, and being outdoors have deepened my ability to notice patterns, especially under pressure, before immediately reacting to them.
That awareness influences how I work with leaders.
Most of what creates friction isn’t obvious on the surface. It often shows up in how people interpret situations, respond under pressure, carry conversations, or experience what’s happening around them.
That’s usually where the real work begins.
Not in theory.
But in the middle of real situations, relationships, decisions, and responsibilities.
Why This Matters for You
All of this shapes how I work with clients. I don’t bring a single-industry perspective. I bring a way of seeing patterns, habits, and ways of thinking that are often invisible when you’re in the middle of it.
Most of what gets in the way isn’t visible on the surface. It’s happening in how you experience and respond to what’s in front of you. That’s where we work. That’s where clarity opens up, and where meaningful shifts begin.
Background & Training
- 25+ years in executive and leadership coaching
- Certified Executive Coach and Facilitator (Coach Inc.)
- Training in Conversational Intelligence, Emotional Intelligence, and Change Facilitation
- TEDx speaker on leadership and behavior
- Ongoing study in human behavior, awareness, and leadership
Start a Conversation
The leaders I work with are often thoughtful, capable people carrying significant responsibility. They’re usually not looking for more information or more to do. They’re looking for clarity, steadiness, and a way to lead without carrying unnecessary weight.
If any part of this feels familiar, we can start there, with a conversation.
There’s no pressure to commit. Just a place to think clearly about what’s actually happening, and what may need to shift.