Great leadership changes the way people think, feel and perform.
Helping leaders think clearly, communicate confidently and lead well under pressure.
Every leader shapes the experience of the people around them. The question is whether you’re creating an environment where people feel safe to contribute, communicate openly and perform at their best. I partner with leaders and organisations to help people think clearly, lead confidently and respond well under pressure.
Pressure changes how we lead.
We’ve all experienced it. The conversation we avoid. The decision we keep second guessing. The feedback we put off because we don’t want to upset someone. The meeting we leave wishing we’d handled differently.
Most leaders don’t need another framework. They need the space to understand what’s happening in those moments so they can respond differently next time.
Support tailored to where you are.
Emerging Leaders
Stepping into leadership for the first time can feel exciting and overwhelming. Together we’ll build confidence, communication and the ability to lead in a way that feels authentic to you.
Experienced Leaders
Leadership becomes more complex as your responsibilities grow. We’ll work through the conversations, decisions and challenges that come with leading people while staying true to the kind of leader you want to be.
Leadership Teams
Strong teams don’t happen by accident. I work with teams to strengthen communication, build trust and create environments where people feel comfortable contributing their best thinking.
Better leadership starts with understanding yourself.
When leaders understand themselves differently, they communicate more clearly, make better decisions and create environments where others can thrive.
Tara Isaac
Leadership Development Coach
Before founding Rise & Thrive, I spent more than a decade supporting graduates, professionals and emerging leaders across Goldman Sachs, EY, Ashurst and Xero.
During that time I saw something again and again. The people with the greatest potential weren’t always the ones who thrived. Often they were carrying self doubt, avoiding difficult conversations or quietly losing confidence under pressure.
That experience shaped the way I work today. I believe great leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about creating an environment where people can think clearly, contribute confidently and bring out the best in one another.
Experience across finance, legal, technology and professional services
The best measure of this work is the experience of the people I’ve supported.
These recommendations reflect the parts of my work that matter most: trust, clarity, growth and better thinking under pressure.
Helping people see their potential
“From day one, she believed in my potential, sometimes more than I did myself.”
Arshpreet Kaur
Associate Data Engineer | Xero
Creating psychological safety
“Tara created a high trust environment where psychological safety was the priority.”
Elaine Zhang
Machine Learning | Xero
Asking better questions
“She asks the right questions at the right time, pushing you to think deeper while supporting you with practical strategies.”
Roshan Thaliath
Data Engineer
Creating calm under pressure
“I always left our conversations feeling clearer, calmer and more capable.”
Vivian Cao
Application Security Engineer
Supporting long term growth
“Tara’s influence on my early career has been fundamental.”
Grace Chan
Associate Software Engineer | Xero
Seeing what others don’t yet see
“She has a rare ability to see how you’re wired, understanding your strengths and instincts, sometimes before you do.”
Allegra Nadeson
UX Researcher | Xero
Leadership starts with one conversation
Whether you’re supporting one leader or an entire team, every engagement starts with a conversation. We’ll explore what’s happening now, where you’d like your leaders to be and whether I’m the right person to help. No pressure. No obligation. Just a conversation.