Dee Patel, DPA Leadership Ltd

Difficult conversations specialist for first-time directors in technology. I help companies equip their leaders with the communication skills to stop avoiding tough conversations, and start building relationships that reduce conflict, increase alignment and drive business performance.

About

When technically brilliant people are rewarded with promotion into leadership, too often they struggle to let go of the details and are stuck in the weeds, leading to micromanaging their teams. They’re unprepared for the complex dynamics and politics so there’s conflict. Or they have an approach that means they fail to earn respect and trust in higher-stakes situations. 

The impact is demotivated teams, stalled projects, and questioning whether the right person was promoted.

Often, the cause is conversations they know they should be having, but they don’t know how to do them well. 

But avoiding difficult conversations doesn’t keep the peace, it makes problems more expensive to solve later.

What types of conversations do first-time directors struggle to lead?

• Feedback conversations when they expect an emotional response.
• Managing upwards conversations to challenge an approach they disagree with.
• Conflict conversations to deal with team personality clashes that are causing tension.
• Performance management conversations with those who were previously their peers.
• Change management conversations to communicate team restructures or priority changes. 

My approach:

Promoting high performers is important, and most technology companies approach it assuming first-time directors will just figure out how to lead. 

But this leadership transition demands something new. 

That’s where I come in.

I approach it through mindset and communication skills, so leaders understand effectiveness at the senior level isn’t driven by technical ability, it’s driven by the quality of relationships they build through the difficult conversations they’re willing to have.

Companies benefit from improved retention of high-performing teams because they’re led well, increased productivity because of cross functional alignment, and confidence in a talent pipeline that’s delivering value.

Why partner with me?

I work with technology companies across SaaS, Fintech, Foodtech, Telecoms and more – trusted by Adobe and Vodafone.

An astrophysicist by background, I’ve held corporate roles in technical, R&D, innovation and senior product leadership. I bring 15+ years of experience in operational, commercial and strategic roles, across traditional FTSE 100 corporates, entrepreneurial founder-led startups, and rapidly scaling multinational tech company HelloFresh.

The skills I built reporting to the C-Suite and leading €500 million global projects across 18 countries are the same ones I use to help senior leaders now, because what’s required to be effective at this level goes far beyond technical capability. 

I’m also a certified Senior Practitioner with the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC), and a Board Director. 

What clients say:

“Investing in coaching with Dee is a no-brainer and the return on investment is immediate. The opportunity cost lost for starting coaching late is unquantifiable and one of my biggest regrets as a leader.” 

– Fintech CEO.

“My CEO finally heard me, he signed it off and gave me great feedback, and it came after just one conversation! I wish I’d had this sooner, it would have saved me 4 months.”

– Director of Product.

“Brilliant session, focused on finding your voice, considering the power of language, managing upwards, and having more proactive conversations. Engaging, thought-provoking, and full of energy.” 

– Head of Learning Innovation.

Next step, get in touch:

If you’re a CHRO, People Director, or functional leader responsible for developing senior level talent within your organisation and want to make sure they have the support they need to succeed, then get in touch using the contact form below.