Befriending Dragons: Company Profile

Background

Overview

Befriending Dragons is a leadership coaching and consulting firm founded by Cindy Gross, focusing on empowering underestimated leaders and quietly powerful women to reclaim their confidence and lead authentically in workplaces that weren't built for everyone. The company offers personalized coaching, workshops, and strategic consulting to help clients navigate complex work environments with clarity and purpose.

Mission and Vision

The mission of Befriending Dragons is to assist individuals in transforming challenges into strengths by embracing all parts of themselves, including those labeled as fears or weaknesses. The vision is to create workplaces where leaders can thrive authentically, leading with clarity, care, and courage.

Primary Area of Focus

Befriending Dragons specializes in leadership development, particularly for women and non-binary individuals in tech and other traditionally male-dominated industries. The firm emphasizes personal growth, strategic decision-making, and fostering inclusive work cultures.

Industry Significance

In an era where diversity, equity, and inclusion are critical, Befriending Dragons plays a significant role in supporting leaders who face systemic challenges. By offering tailored coaching and consulting services, the company contributes to building more inclusive and effective leadership within organizations.

Key Strategic Focus

Core Objectives

Empowerment: Help clients reclaim their confidence and lead authentically.

Clarity: Provide personalized coaching to navigate complex work environments.

Transformation: Assist clients in turning challenges into strengths through self-awareness and strategic action.

Specific Areas of Specialization

Leadership Clarity Coaching: One-on-one sessions to help clients identify their true selves and lead with purpose.

Workshops and Gatherings: Live, expert-led sessions that blend real talk with shared insight, offering practical tools to spark change.

Strategy and Speaking: Keynotes, panels, and creative culture change collaborations that catalyze change and provide actionable takeaways.

Key Technologies Utilized

While specific technologies are not detailed, Befriending Dragons employs various tools and methodologies to support their coaching and consulting services, including personalized coaching frameworks and interactive workshops.

Primary Markets or Conditions Targeted

The company primarily targets women and non-binary leaders in tech and other industries, focusing on those navigating complex work cultures and seeking to lead authentically.

Financials and Funding

As a privately held coaching and consulting firm, Befriending Dragons does not publicly disclose detailed financial information or funding history.

Pipeline Development

Befriending Dragons does not operate in a traditional product development pipeline. Instead, the firm focuses on the continuous development and refinement of its coaching programs, workshops, and consulting services to meet the evolving needs of its clients.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Proprietary Technologies

The firm utilizes the "Dragon Playbook," a personalized leadership clarity system designed to help clients make aligned decisions, reclaim their energy, and show up as their most authentic selves.

Significant Scientific Methods

Befriending Dragons employs trauma-informed adaptive leadership styles, integrating principles from diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) to support clients in navigating complex work environments.

Leadership Team

Cindy Gross – Founder and Leadership Clarity Coach

Professional Background: With over 25 years in the tech industry, Cindy Gross has held roles in SQL Server, Big Data, Azure Cloud, and Windows. She is an International Coaching Federation (ICF) Associate Certified Coach (PCC) with over 500 hours of coaching experience.

Key Contributions: Cindy founded Befriending Dragons to empower underestimated leaders and has developed the Dragon Playbook to assist clients in leading authentically.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The leadership coaching and consulting market is growing, with increasing demand for services that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. Organizations are seeking ways to support leaders from underrepresented groups to enhance organizational effectiveness and foster inclusive cultures.

Competitor Analysis

While specific competitors are not detailed, Befriending Dragons operates in a competitive landscape with other coaching and consulting firms focusing on leadership development and DEIB initiatives.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Befriending Dragons collaborates with organizations to provide customized coaching and consulting services, aiming to build inclusive and effective leadership within teams. Specific partnerships are not publicly disclosed.

Operational Insights

Befriending Dragons differentiates itself through its personalized coaching approach, the unique Dragon Playbook system, and a focus on empowering women and non-binary leaders in complex work environments. The firm's emphasis on authenticity and inclusivity sets it apart in the leadership coaching market.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

Befriending Dragons has the opportunity to expand its reach by offering virtual coaching sessions and workshops, allowing access to a broader audience. Additionally, developing online resources and courses could further support leaders seeking to navigate complex work cultures.