Leadership Development

Leadership That Holds Under Pressure

We develop people leaders who lead with clarity, composure, and authorship—even when the pressure’s on.

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Why This Work Matters

Leadership isn’t built in theory.

It’s built in tension, tradeoffs, and moments that actually demand it.

When the pressure’s on, most leaders default to one of three traps:

Control: micromanaging to protect results, but burning out your team.

Avoidance: sidestepping conflict until trust erodes.

Borrowed Leadership: mimicking someone else’s style for approval, and losing credibility in the process.

These aren’t “soft skill” gaps.

They are performance-critical failures.

They stall careers, drive attrition, and cost organizations millions.

The antidote?

Learning to lead from intentional identity — so you can:

Make decisions without second-guessing

Navigate conflict without shutting down

Hold authority without posturing

Build trust without overextending

Communicate with clarity—especially when it’s hard

One Philosophy, Two Paths

Our Leadership Academy meets leaders where they are — whether you’re stepping into management for the first time or navigating the boardroom under pressure.

The Confident Manager™

Foundational skills to lead any room without losing yourself.

A foundational leadership program that gives new managers the structure, skills, and confidence to lead without defaulting to control, avoidance, or burnout.

Who it’s for:

First-time managers stepping into leadership without a playbook
New people leaders navigating the peer-to-manager transition
Managers struggling with delegation, feedback, or building trust

What it includes:

6-step transformation path with on-demand, bite-sized lessons
12 months of monthly Q&A calls for ongoing support
Ready-to-use templates, scripts, and scorecards for real-world moments
Everything DiSC® integration to decode personal and team dynamics

Outcomes:

Clarity on what to do — and how to be — as a leader

Confident communication and feedback without fear

Systems for leading consistently, even under pressure

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The Intentional Leader™

Advanced strategies to lead high-stakes rooms without losing yourself.

A premium leadership experience for mid-to-senior leaders navigating complex, high-stakes roles—where credibility, clarity, and influence matter most.

Who it’s for:

Leaders managing multiple teams, stakeholders, or high-visibility projects
Executives making critical decisions under tight timelines
Leaders ready to expand influence without self-betrayal

What it includes:

8 advanced practices for pressure-ready leadership
Monthly live Practice Labs for skill refinement in real scenarios
Strategic Identity™ coaching to match presence to the moment
Premium templates, decision frameworks, and communication tools

Outcomes:

Ability to lead across power, role, and context

Strategic presence that earns trust

Greater influence, steadiness, and clarity

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Why Russo Leadership?

Because we don’t train your leaders to perform.

We train them to hold.

Our programs are:

Designed for real-world pressure, not ideal conditions

Grounded in behavior change, not generic competency models

Built for both personal insight and system awareness

We’ve worked across industries—from healthcare to tech to professional sports—supporting leaders who don’t have time for fluff.

Client Voices

“Participating in the LEAD program under Nayli’s mentorship has been a transformative experience… Regardless of the material covered, Nayli’s consistent focus on actionable implementation has made it seamless to apply her teachings day to day.”

Justin Newman,

Head of Player Analysis, Pittsburgh Pirates

“The years I was able to spend with Nayli drastically changed my career for the better. I now have a foundation in place based on my core beliefs which allows me to be more present with my team on a daily basis.”

Zack Galia,

Director, Social Media, Pittsburgh Pirates

“Over the past 3 years, Nayli Russo-Long's leadership training has been transformative in my leadership journey. Her insightful guidance, strategic thinking, and ability to foster meaningful discussions have helped refine my decision-making skills and develop a more compassionate, inclusive leadership style while still driving results and accountability.

Andy Giambroni,

Director, CRM and Consumer Strategy, Pittsburgh Pirates

“The content has been so applicable to day-to-day work/interactions that I now wonder why an organization wouldn't want to make it a part of every employee's professional development!”