

Executive & Transitional Coach: Düsseldorf, online & on-site.
Thomas Janknecht
Find your authentic path and lead with clarity and confidence
With over 30 years of experience in leadership and coaching, I guide leaders in unlocking their strengths and navigating change with clarity.
My mission is to strengthen you as a leader – with resilience, self-confidence, and a clear focus on your potential. I have already helped over 200 leaders shape their role consciously and successfully, always keeping the person and their development in focus.
Your Ideal Coach: Here’s Why
- Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the pressure to always make the "right" decision?
- Would you like to learn how to act confidently even in uncertainty?
- Do internal power struggles unnecessarily drain your energy and focus?
- Is your team not achieving the expected results, and you wonder what's missing?
- Are you at a professional or personal turning point and looking for the best next step?
- Do you wonder how you can achieve sustainable success without losing your energy and balance?
My Calling: Empowering Leaders and Mastering Change.
The questions that drive you – decision-making pressure, team dynamics, or the desire for balance – are at the heart of my passion.
With over 30 years of leadership experience, including 27 years in a global consulting firm, I have developed strategic foresight, operational excellence, and the ability to tackle complex challenges.
What drives me is working with people: empowering them in their roles and guiding them on their journeys. I have had the privilege of supporting over 200 leaders, from senior leadership to C-level executives.
My goal: To help you shape your leadership role with clarity, confidence, and success.

My Coaching Services
Learn more about my various coaching packages and how I can support you with your individual challenges. In addition to the options listed below, I also offer tailor-made coaching that is fully customized to your personal needs. Take a look and let’s discover together in a free, no-obligation initial consultation which coaching option suits you best.

Individual Coaching
Find clarity, navigate through change, and discover your true purpose. Together, we will shape your path to a fulfilling and self-determined life.
- Begin your transformative journey and unlock your true potential
- Navigate your life transition
- Discover your life’s purpose

Leadership Coaching
Develop your authentic leadership style, enhance your leadership effectiveness, and leverage the "Six Essential Leadership Traits" to thrive as a leader in an uncertain and rapidly changing world.
- Find the most powerful expression of your leadership style
- Accelerate your leadership effectiveness
- Executive Coaching

Team Coaching
Build a high-performing team, gain insights into the strengths, behaviors, and communication styles of your team members. Enhance your team's collective leadership performance.
- The eight characteristics of a high-performing team
- Increase team collaboration and performance
- Enhance your team's collective leadership performance
Our Journey
At the heart of my coaching is you, with your individual needs and goals. Our journey together follows four clearly structured steps that we flexibly adapt to suit your requirements. I look forward to getting to know you and working together towards your success!

Meet & Greet
After learning about my coaching services and getting to know me, we’ll meet for a free initial consultation. During this session, we’ll discuss your goals and lay the foundation for a successful collaboration.

Discussion
In an open exchange, we will analyze your individual needs and determine which coaching approaches and formats can best support you.

Individual Offer
Based on our conversation, I will develop a tailor-made coaching package that is perfectly aligned with your goals.

Your Coaching
If you are satisfied with my offer, we will set a start date and begin our journey together. At the end of the coaching, we will review the progress made based on the original goals.

Thomas Janknecht
Achieve your success with authenticity and empathy
As a certified Executive Coach with over 30 years of international experience, I support leaders seeking clarity, confidence, and focused development during their transitions. For me, change is not just about adaptation but an opportunity for growth and the emergence of new perspectives. With authenticity, proven coaching methods, and empathy, I accompany you in recognizing your strengths, facing challenges courageously, and making confident decisions.
Learn more here about how I can support you.
Your partner for clear leadership and sustainable growth
Why Thomas Janknecht?
My decades of leadership experience and coaching expertise empower you to tackle the challenges of the 21st century—authentically, effectively, and future-proof. These values shape my work:
Authentic
I stand for clarity, honesty, and genuine connection. In my coaching, I create a safe space where you can reflect, grow, and develop your authentic leadership strength.
Strategic
With a clear focus on what matters most and my experience in global leadership roles, we will develop tailored strategies that align with you and your environment.
Results-oriented
My coaching delivers tangible outcomes: better decisions, greater effectiveness, and sustainable success—for you, your team, and your organization.
Inspiring
Together, we will uncover your potential and personal vision. My goal is to encourage you to make bold decisions and leverage your strengths effectively.
Empathetic
I listen to you and understand your challenges. With empathy, I guide you through complex situations and help you gain new perspectives.
Future-Focused
We shift your focus to long-term goals and build leadership skills that future-proof you and your environment. This creates lasting, impactful results.
FAQ
What makes the coaching portfolio special?
My coaching portfolio combines years of leadership experience with certified coaching methods and a deep passion for guiding individuals on their journey. The topics range from self-awareness and life purpose to change management and effectively overcoming challenges. It is tailored to areas such as personal development, leadership, team dynamics, and organizational transformation. Individuals, Leaders and Teams tailored and offers customized solutions for diverse needs.
What distinguishes coaching for individuals and leaders?
My coaching for Individuals is aimed at individuals who want to drive their personal growth and achieve life goals, regardless of their professional position. Coaching for Leaders on the other hand, focuses on enhancing leadership skills, improving decision-making, and navigating complex organizational challenges to inspire and lead teams effectively.
Is there a success guarantee with your coaching?
Coaching does not have a fixed success factor, as success largely depends on the responsibility and commitment of the coachee. As a coach, I guide the process, ask targeted questions, and provide impulses. However, the change and implementation lie in the hands of the coachee. Close collaboration and the willingness to engage in the process are the key to success.
What is the process of coaching?
The coachings starts with a a free initial consultation, where we discuss your goals and challenges. Based on this conversation, I create a tailored coaching package. The subsequent sessions can be held flexibly, either online or in person, depending on what suits you best. We work on specific goals and adjust the process as needed.
In which languages do you offer your coaching?
I offer my coaching in German (native language) and English to support a wide range of clients.
How can I book a coaching session?
You can book a session directly through my website by scheduling a non-binding conversation. Alternatively, you can send me a message to find a suitable time. The booking process is simple and transparent.
What is the cost of coaching?
The cost of coaching varies depending on the package and your specific needs. I offer tailored options that are aligned with your goals. Schedule a no-obligation conversation to discuss the details and receive a suitable offer.
How often do the coaching sessions take place?
Typically, the sessions take place every 1-2 weeks. Depending on your progress and needs, we can also schedule longer breaks of 3-4 weeks to deepen the learning.
Do I receive written materials for the sessions?
Yes, for most coaching packages, I provide written materials. These support your learning process and help you implement what you've learned sustainably. Additionally, I enjoy using digital tools to make our collaboration flexible and interactive.
Are there any book recommendations to deepen the coaching process?
Yes, for each coaching package, I provide selected book recommendations that support your personal development. These recommendations are tailored to your interests and goals.
Testimonials
Courtney
‘Thomas' coaching helped to uncover and move me forward in places I was getting stuck for many years. I appreciate how he kept me accountable for the things I wanted to change. Without his support, I would not have been able to progress as far as I did in a short time. Thomas’ coaching has left a lasting impact on me.’
Yusuff
‘Thomas is an exceptional coach who connects with individuals at all levels, from high-achieving leaders to frontline workers. His role in our Affinity Black Network coaching program has been transformative, providing profound insights and unlocking potential in everyone he works with. Personally, and professionally, Thomas’s coaching has been invaluable, consistently earning positive feedback for his ability to inspire growth and achieve meaningful results.’
Kiran
‘Working with Thomas has been a game-changer. His structured approach and focus on process efficiency helped me break down complex goals into actionable steps, making progress clear and stress-free. His commitment to my growth enabled me to achieve my goals faster and more effectively. If you’re looking for a coach who combines structure, precision, and a results driven mindset, Thomas is the ideal choice.’
Nic
‘I had the pleasure of being mentored by Thomas during my early days as a people leader and I must say he is one of the best leaders who helped shaped what I am today. His very hands-on approach in coaching has helped me navigate my leadership journey with ease. He shares real life experience on how to drive the best with people and would always recommend valuable leadership resources (ex: books, articles, authors, etc.). Aside from sharing helpful coaching practices, he never fails to connect on a personal level making the mentorship experience more authentic and real. Thank you, Thomas, for imparting your leadership best practices to me, I would forever be grateful!’
Luisa
‘When I embarked on my journey as a new team leader, having Thomas as my coach was transformative. His guidance helped me navigate challenges and build strong relationships with my team members. Thomas taught me the profound importance of truly connecting with people, being intentional in my actions, and leading with care. Through his wisdom, I learned that trust is the cornerstone of any successful team. As I earned my team's trust, I discovered that cooperation flowed naturally, enabling us to achieve our goals together. Thomas's mentorship has been invaluable, and his lessons continue to inspire and shape my leadership approach.’
Venugopal
‘Thomas has been an exceptional coach and mentor to me. I have learnt how to balance work and life and be able to give 110% for my team without ever compromising on quality, family and relaxation time. We have worked together for several years and his leading from the front and yet never managing is a style that I have tried to imbibe as much as possible. I am grateful that I got a chance to work with him and hope that I get the same in future as well.’
Cecylia
‘I met Thomas in 2019 during a learning program for young leaders, where he served as my private coach. I thoroughly enjoyed our collaboration. In our one-on-one sessions, he helped me recognize my potential as an aspiring leader and identify key areas for growth. Notably, I learned the importance of seeking support from others, such as my direct manager, to achieve project outcomes. Earlier, I viewed asking for help as a weakness, but through Thomas’s guidance, I came to see it as a sign of maturity in my role.’
Rob
‘Going into our coaching sessions I did not know what to expect or what preparation I needed for our sessions. Thomas has the ability to ask questions that made me focus on what mattered most in both my professional and personal lives. His ability to share about his own personal experiences gave me a comfort level that became the foundation of our future sessions.’
Arun
‘Thomas's executive coaching has been transformative for our organization. His unique approach combines empathy, strategic insight, and practical tools, empowering leaders to navigate transitions confidently. Thomas identifies core challenges and provides tailored guidance, enabling leaders to unlock their potential and drive meaningful change. His coaching not only guides individuals but also fosters a culture of resilience and growth. I highly recommend him for impactful leadership development.’
Jyotsna
‘Thomas’ mentorship has been transformative for my leadership journey. Combining strategic insight with a people-centered approach, he helped me uncover hidden strengths, address development areas, and align my goals with actionable strategies. His authentic empathy and ability to create a safe, nonjudgmental space made growth both challenging and rewarding. I highly recommend Thomas to leaders seeking to advance their capabilities or navigate career transitions with confidence.’

Ready when you are
So what are you waiting for? Let’s find out together if I’m the right coach for you. Book a free, no-obligation initial consultation with me now!
