Paul Spain is an international expert in authentic leadership. He specialises in helping his clients develop depth and confidence in their leadership capability. He develops his clients’ ability to deliver real and lasting results through the quality of their authentic leadership. Paul works with individuals, teams and whole organisations.

Paul has been working in the arena of authentic leadership development for over sixteen years. He has worked across a broad range of sectors and organisations in over twenty countries from Peru to Mongolia. He understands the demands and dilemmas of modern organisational life and the pressure leaders are under. This insight comes not only from his experience of consulting with hundreds of leaders but also from his extensive experience of being a leader in his various organisations.

His recent clients include the World Bank, Genzyme, Ford Motor Company, Ulster Bank, Musgrave Group, International Finance Corporation, ESB, Biomarin, Pfizer, Diageo, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.

What is Authentic Leadership?

Paul defines authentic leadership as “bringing the best version of ourselves to our role as leaders”. He believes that to be authentic, to be real, we have to know our true selves and go beyond the persona’s we wear as the boss or the manager. He also believes we need to have the insight and skills to create and maintain authentic relationships to those whom we serve. 

Experience and Qualifications

Paul has spent the last fifteen years as a senior partner with Sheppard Moscow. During that time, he has worked with a wide range of clients across four continents with a particular focus on leadership development. Paul held various leadership roles within the partnership and was one of their lead program designers and facilitators.

Prior to joining Sheppard Moscow, Paul worked in the area of organisation change and development with both Practick and Diageo for seven years. Over the previous years, he worked in a variety of manufacturing organisations in a range of roles including Human Resources and production.  

Paul holds a Masters Degree in Management Practice from Trinity College Dublin. He has a Higher Certificate in Executive Coaching from Leeds Metropolitan University. He is licensed/qualified to use the following psychometrics and assessment tools: 16 PF, FIRO-B, QPQ, EQ-i and MBTI.