Leaders who consistently deliver results demonstrate their competence and reliability, which builds credibility with stakeholders, motivates their teams through visible progress, and creates the momentum necessary to tackle increasingly ambitious goals.
Great leaders transform lives by unlocking potential in others, inspiring them to achieve more than they thought possible, and creating opportunities that lead to personal and professional growth that extends far beyond the workplace.
Maybe you were promoted because you could solve anything in your area of expertise. Or you got great results. Now you’re expected to lead people, manage conflict, delegate, be strategic - and somehow get “real” work done.
And, if you’re really being honest, you’re probably asked yourself more than once, “Am I really cut out to be a leader?”
New Leaders Fail Within 18 Months of Being Promoted
Externally Hired Executives Fail Within 12 Months
Internally Promoted Executives Fail In The First Year
I’ve spent my career working with high performers and leading complex change initiatives - and now, I’ve captured the most essential, actionable lessons in my book:
Practical Leadership: A Guide to Building Trust, Getting Results, and Changing Lives.
If you ever wished someone would just hand you the playbook, here it is. No fluff tactics and frameworks you can use right now.
"Janet Ply is the real deal. If you lead people-or you want to—Practical Leadership should live on your desk. Get it, use it, lead better."
—Mel Robbins, New York Times-bestselling author of The Let Them Theory and host of The Mel Robbins Podcast
“Janet Ply has created what so many leadership books promise but rarely deliver—a practical and actionable guide, grounded in real-world experience. With clarity and compassion, she cuts through the noise and gives leaders exactly what they need: a framework that works in the messiness of real organizations. Whether you’re new to leadership or trying to rebuild your confidence after years in the trenches, this book will equip you to lead with greater trust, accountability, and purpose. It’s not just theory—it’s a road map for real transformation.”
—Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, Thinkers50 #1 executive coach and New York Times–bestselling author of The Earned Life, Triggers, and What Got You Here Won’t Get You There
Whether you’re coaching your first direct report, navigation team dysfunction, or giving an executive presentation, you’ll find something in this book that helps you lead better by Monday.
A step-by-step system designed to equip leaders with the core competencies more critical for success - from self-awareness and communications to execution and team performance.
Built from decades of “in the trenches” leadership experience and grounded in systems thinking, this framework cuts through the noise to deliver what actually works.
Tactics - no fluff.
Just a clear practical path to becoming a leader who builds trust, gets results, and changes lives.
At Janet Ply Associates, we work with ambitious professionals like you who refuse to let poor leadership skills become the ceiling on their success.
You've already proven you can deliver results. But now you need more than technical expertise—you need the leadership presence that commands respect, the unshakeable confidence that keeps you composed when the stakes are highest, and the deep trust that empowers you to drive real impact through others.
Here's what most companies won't tell you: They're setting you up to fail. They promote their best performers into leadership roles, hand them a fancy title, and expect them to "figure it out." Meanwhile, your reputation, your team's performance, and your career trajectory hang in the balance.
Leadership isn't magic. It's not about charisma or natural-born talent.
It's a learnable skill set—one that separates mediocre managers from the leaders who shape industries, build legacies, and unlock their full potential.
We've guided hundreds of high achievers through this exact transition. We know the frustration of being excellent at your job but struggling to translate that excellence into leadership impact. More importantly, we know exactly how to bridge that gap.
The question isn't whether you'll become a leader. It's whether you'll become the leader your ambitions demand.
It's always inspiring to get notes like these from our clients. Join us so that we can bring the same leadership transformation to you.
Engineer to Executive is more than leadership training. It’s a full systems that transforms how our technical leaders think, communicate, and lead. They’re now contributing at a strategic level, not just a technical one.
CTO
Financial ServicesWe didn’t need another workshop - we needed a leadership solution. This program delivered exactly that. Our team cam away with practical tools and a clear mindset shift. It’s changed how they lead. The ongoing coaching and leadership community continues to reinforce their development.
COO
Technology CompanyWhat Janet has built is different. It’s not a slide deck and some theories - it’s a deeply thought-out process that actually builds leadership competency. Our leaders now show up with confidence, clarity, and business focus.
CIO
Enterprise SoftwareThe behavior changes in the workshops participants were noticeable after the first day of the workshop and have continued to only get better. I’ve seen more collaboration across teams, people taking initiative to fix problems, and the teams are more focused on delivery. We will be scheduling more workshops and coaching!
CTO
Large Financial Services CompanyThis class pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me become more confident in speaking up. Great class!
Technology Manager
Wealth Management CompanyJanet’s delivery of the content and explaining how to apply it to our work was invaluable. She provides tools and frameworks that we can use on a regular basis to help organize and make sense of information that is overwhelming. Exercises on prioritization, goal setting, and communications were spot on.
VP
Data Management CompanyThis is the first time I have ever given a training session a perfect 100%! Every minute of every day was extremely valuable and applicable to my day to day. Thank you!
Assistant VP
Financial Services CompanyI believe every employee and leader in our company should take this course. Those of us in leadership positions gained valuable skills to develop and grow ourselves and our teams. Thank you so much!
Assistant VP
Technology Wealth Management CompanyThe course subject matter, along with relevant discussion points and examples, was expertly presented. I am leaving the class after 3 days feeling refreshed, excited, and inspired!
AVP & PMO
Financial Services CompanyIf you’re constantly buried in meetings, solving other people’s problems, and wondering when you’ll actually have time to get your own work done - you’re not alone.
This short guide walks your through the seven most common traps leaders fall into … and what to do instead.