The Readiness Brief™

Apply for The Executive Signature

A bespoke 1:1 coaching programme for senior professionals whose influence hasn't yet caught up with their expertise.

This isn't a sign-up form. It's the first piece of coaching. The questions below are the same ones we'd work through in a first session — they help me understand where your presence is strong, where it breaks down, and whether this programme is genuinely the right fit for you right now.

12–15 minutesThoughtful answers matter more than fast ones

5 sectionsYour context, challenges, self-assessment, strengths, and goals

Reviewed personallyEvery application is read by Mridu, not a screening tool

You'll hear backWithin 3–5 working days, either way

This programme tends to suit you if:

You're technically excellent but under-recognised in senior rooms
You've recently stepped up — or are about to — and the old approach isn't working
You've been told to be "more assertive," "more strategic," or "more visible" without being told how
You're willing to be honest about what isn't working yet

Everything you share stays confidential and is used only to prepare for our conversation.

Section 1 · Your Context

First, the basics

So I know who I'm speaking with, and how to reach you.

Full name *

Email *

WhatsApp number *

City / Country *

Current designation *

Organisation *

LinkedIn profile (optional)

Years of professional experience *

Under 8 years 8–14 years 15–20 years 20+ years

Which best describes where you are right now? *

Recently promotedI've stepped into a bigger role and the expectations have changed Preparing for the next levelI'm being considered for — or aiming at — a more senior role Established, but under-recognisedI've been in the role a while; my visibility doesn't match my contribution Moving into a public-facing roleI now represent my organisation externally — media, boards, forums, clients Changing contextNew sector, geography, or organisation, and my old approach isn't landing

Section 2 · Where It Breaks Down

The honest part

Be specific rather than diplomatic here — vague answers produce vague coaching.

In which situations does your presence matter most right now? *

Select all that apply.

Senior leadership or board meetings Client or stakeholder presentations Leading and motivating my own team Influencing peers without authority Public speaking, panels, conferences Media or external representation Difficult conversations and conflict Negotiations

Of everything above, what is the single biggest thing holding you back? *

Describe a specific recent moment where you wish you'd shown up differently. *

What was the situation, what did you do, and what did you wish you'd done instead? This single answer usually tells me more than everything else combined.

Section 3 · Quick Self-Assessment

Four dimensions of executive presence

Rate yourself as you are today — not as you'd like to be. 1 is rarely true, 5 is consistently true.

Which one of these, if it improved, would change the most for you? *

ConvictionTrusting and voicing my own judgement Emotional IntelligenceReading and adapting to the room GravitasBeing perceived as composed and senior InfluenceCreating buy-in and shaping decisions

Section 4 · Strengths & Feedback

What's already working

Coaching builds on existing strengths far more than it fixes weaknesses.

What are the three greatest strengths you already bring to your role? *

What feedback have you actually received about your communication or presence? *

Try to recall the actual words used by a manager, peer, or client — not your interpretation of them. The difference between "you're not knowledgeable" and "you need to sound more assertive" matters enormously.

Describe one moment where you did influence, persuade, or speak up successfully. *

Even if it felt like an exception. What happened, and what made it work that time?

Have you worked with a coach before? *

No, this would be my first Yes, and it helped Yes, but it didn't work for me Group training, but not 1:1

Section 5 · Goals & Fit

What success would look like

If this programme worked exactly as you hoped, what would be different about how people experience you as a leader? *

Be as concrete as you can — what would you be doing that you aren't doing now?

Is there a specific event, deadline, or transition driving this? *

A board presentation, a promotion cycle, a new mandate, an upcoming keynote — or nothing specific, which is equally valid.

How soon are you looking to start? *

Immediately Within the next month In the next quarter Exploring for now

The programme asks for roughly 1.5 hours a week, including practice between sessions. Realistically, can you commit to that? *

Yes, fullyI've thought about it and the time is there MostlySome weeks will be tighter than others I'm not sureI'd like to talk it through first

Who is sponsoring this investment? *

Self-funded Employer — already approved Employer — needs approval Not yet decided

How did you hear about The Executive Signature? *

Anything else I should know before we speak? (optional)

Application Received

Thank you — that was the honest version, and it matters.

Your Readiness Brief™ has been sent to Mridu and will be read personally, not filtered by a screening tool.

What happens next

1. Mridu reviews your application in full, usually within 3–5 working days.

2. If it looks like a strong fit, you'll be invited to a 30-minute conversation — no pitch, just a discussion of where you are and whether this is the right thing for you right now.

3. If it isn't the right fit, you'll hear that too, along with a suggestion of what might serve you better.

In the meantime, one thing worth doing: notice, in your next senior meeting, how long you wait before you speak. Don't change it yet. Just notice it.