Bob Lesser, MPP, LP*
I am passionate about empowering others to become their best selves and building meaningful, successful organizations. As an executive and organizational coach, I emphasize individual growth as well as the evolution of systems and culture. I’m an MPP and LP, a founder, and psychotherapist. I am passionate about prioritizing my own personal and professional development — I want to help you do the same.
WHAT IS PEAK PERFORMANCE COACHING?
I draw on my expertise in what makes effective leaders and successful organizations based on years studying leadership and management at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, my firsthand experience as a founder and CEO, my training as a psychotherapist and executive coach and my work with high performing organizations from New York City to Silicon Valley.
MY STORY
From a very young age I found myself helping others solve their most pressing problems, develop themselves, and move toward self actualization. I naturally listened fully, shared an empathic perspective, and offered motivation and inspiration to help people move forward.
At Vassar College I studied sociology to gain an understanding of how social movements influenced individual behavior. After college I moved to Vietnam to study its unique brand of “engaged Buddhism” which combines Buddhist philosophy and meditation with a call to social action. It was there that I spent time in different monasteries, including mindfulness master Thich Nhat Hanh’s, to develop my meditation practice and explore how Buddhist principles could be applied to everyday life. I attended Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government where I studied Public Policy to learn how to impact people’s lives through social programs and was trained as a mediator through Harvard’s Program on Negotiation. Professionally, I have lectured and trained nationally on leadership and negotiation and trained hundreds of people, including over three hundred New York City police officers in conflict resolution.
I founded and led Mott Hall Charter School, a progressive middle school in New York City with a special focus on social, emotional, and character development. I attended the National Institute for the Psychotherapies where I completed my training in psychoanalysis, comprehensive psychotherapy, energy psychology, and EMDR, an evidence-based trauma treatment. And most recently I completed training as a coach at the Coaches Training Institute (CTI).
I grew my executive coaching business after leaving Mott Hall, and have since worked 1:1, with teams, and organizations for many clients. During this time, I also wrote a book, Fuel for Life!: Untapping the Unlimited Energy of Passion and Purpose, in which I interviewed and analyzed the journeys of high performers.
In 2018, I moved to the Bay area with my growing family. I have three children who, each day, make me consider the incredible power and potential of life.
I am still as intensely interested in helping people heal, grow, and become their best selves as I was as a kid. I have a lot more tools in my toolbox now, and I love to keep finding more. You can read more about my personal journey through my blog posts and my approach to my work on my Guiding Principles page.
*MPP - Masters in Public Policy, Licensed Psychotherapist