Rewrite the Rules

We’re doing leadership differently now.

You’re at a certain point in your career where you’ve realised something:

You’re not madly in love with where you’re at.

People look at you and they see success. They see a leader. But you don’t feel it on the inside. In fact, you feel like a fraud. That dream life you worked so hard for? Turns out, it was someone else’s dream all along.

But when you think about the life you do want, it feels out of reach.

Where do you even start? How to start? Is the life you want even possible? Is it realistic?

You might not know. But I do.

I’m Isabel Duarte. And I’m here to help you take back your life.

Sound therapy bowl

From Google, Microsoft and Tucows, to you

I’ve been developing mindful leaders for 20 years in some of the world’s biggest tech companies, and you know what I’ve realised? Most leadership training is still stuck in 2002. 7+ hours of management workshops, teaching you how to do a job you already rock at, in 100 slides of corporate speak? BRB — *throws self out window*.

There’s so much more to leadership than that

You want to feel like all those work hours actually mean something. You want to make a difference in a way that you give a shit about. You want to connect with the voice inside that’s desperately trying to push you towards the life you know you could be living. You want to live the life of purpose that your most authentic self actually wants, and prove that yes, YOU CAN do it.

That’s where I come in.

“Never believe anyone who says you don’t deserve what you want”

Taylor Swift, Queen of Iconic Clapbacks

Close up of Isabel smiling while sitting down and meditating

I’m a coach — but probably not the kind you’re expecting.

I’m a coach — but probably not the kind you’re expecting. Underneath the 20 years of personal development, leadership coaching and consulting, and 10 years of mindfulness coaching, is a football loving, book devouring, Gilmore Girls bingeing, pet-obsessed take-no-bullshit human. After 17 years abroad and 7 countries, I am now based back in my hometown, enjoying a slower life.

I subscribe to the belief that what you’re not changing, you’re choosing — and the secret to getting what you want in life is to review and revisit your choices and systems, so you learn when it’s time to reinvent yourself. It’s never too late and you’re never too deep to switch direction, you just gotta have the guts to do it.

Mindfulness saved my life. It helped me pull myself out of two major depressive episodes, got me through brain surgery recovery and helped me get clear on my priorities after a brain tumour stopped me working for over a year. And whether or not you’ve found out for yourself yet, I’ve seen over and over again how mindfulness makes us stronger, more intentional leaders. It helps us connect with our purpose and lead through pleasure, not pressure. And it’s through this lens I approach all my coaching today. Because it damn well works.

PS: Meet the rest of the team here.

A few of my non-negotiables

If you read these and think “hell yeah” — we’ll get along great:

  • Life’s too short to be anything other than fulfilled AF (in work and outside work)

  • Success looks different for everyone — you get to define what it means to you (and change your mind as often as you like)

  • Strategy and systems only work with awareness, empathy and authenticity

  • The world needs more powerful, successful female leaders

  • The future of leadership is human-centred, compassionate and conscious

  • Living your purpose is about embodying your highest potential- it's a way of being

  • Organisations can be both financially successful AND regenerative, human-centered and impactful.

Hustle and grind culture is dead (finally). It’s time to redefine leadership on your terms.

Close up of sound therapy equipment

Are we a match?

You’re still reading, so that’s a good sign

You’re a wildly ambitious leader feeling a bit ‘meh’ about your life. You’re successful, but you can’t help feeling like you’re meant for more — what you have now feels limiting (hello, golden handcuffs- the least sexy cuffs of all)

You need some help figuring out how to take steps to reclaim your life, your purpose, yourself (she’s still in there…somewhere)

You want someone to help bring the energy back into your day-to-day, who can light a fire under your ass and remind you who the fuck you are (what a time to be alive)

If any of those had you nodding at your screen, you know what to do.

Happy clients

  • “My experience working with Isabel is she provides the best combination of a safe space, support and understanding AND the insight and experience to point out to you what you might have missed, what you could try and to kindness to tell you the truth. You will almost certainly grow and gain a wonderful champion!

    And as a woman working in STEM I can't stress enough the importance of supportive community to encourage you onward!”

  • “The experiences I've had working with you are primarily the 2018 Sirius leadership development program and the daily mindfulness meditations. I would like other people to know that you truly care for people and create an environment where people feel heard and respected. Also you are supportive and give guidance that is both thoughtful and practical.”

  • “Isabel has played a significant role in my development as a leader - I had the privilege of taking a Leadership Development Program she ran and it was one of the most beneficial resources I've had in my career. From the fundamentals of leading a team to tools for how I can continue to develop my skills, Isabel covered everything.”

  • “Isabel was proactive in help with leadership training and tips to help me improve my processes”

    “Motivated | creative | innovative | inclusive | welcoming Isabel is the voice that brings calm to a chaotic world”

  • “I worked with Isabel for a 1-off session to work on mindset & leadership development. I highly recommend working with Isabel. She is so so knowledgeable, experienced and wise. She backs everything up with science. She breaks everything down so simply and she asks questions that evoke a new sense of self-awareness. Career, personal development and mindfulness are so intertwined, which I wasn't aware of before working with Isabel!”

  • “"I think of mindfulness as a gift to yourself of 10-15 minutes of time. I can say with certainty that most people do not spend their time without anyone or anything vying for their attention. Just the experience of sitting with closed-eyes and not doing anything, but following along with the meditation session is simply an amazing feeling and only gets better with time."

    I would like to think that your non-judgmental approach and the experience in the mindfulness area in itself is a huge testimony to weigh in for anyone wanting to work with you.”

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