Pankti Killawala

I partner with organisations to solve some of the most common challenges faced by management: turning technical geniuses into effective leaders to help increase team morale and productivity. Using approaches grounded in psychology and neuroscience, I help your leaders perform better, think differently, rewire certain habits, and become effective role models.

About:

As a productivity and leadership coach, I partner with organisations to solve some of the most common but overlooked challenges faced by management – turning technical geniuses into effective leaders. If any of the following statements resonate, then I can assure you that you are in the right place:

1. Is your recently promoted technical expert not succeeding?
2. Does your manager find it difficult to delegate and improve their team’s performance?
3. Are your managers struggling to motivate their teams?

The common challenges that I help organisations with are:

1. Guiding their star performers to become effective leaders by building confidence and grit (Research shows that 70% of technical leaders struggle to perform in their new roles even after 18 months without appropriate guidance and support)
2. Supporting managers to become influential role models who can motivate teams to perform more effectively
3. Improve the team’s productivity and performance by providing effective tools and techniques that can be implemented immediately
4. Nurture talent and drive results to improve the organisation’s profitability

Throughout my 15-year career as a Senior Actuary in the UK insurance market, I saw many technically brilliant professionals struggle with the transition into leadership. Imposter syndrome, lack of confidence, and insufficient support were common themes. My mission now is to help professionals not just survive but thrive, empowering them to grow into influential leaders and role models.

I bring a unique blend of coaching, mentoring, and personal experience from high-pressure environments in financial services. I understand the realities of the job: the deadlines, the stress, and the stakes, and I tailor my support accordingly. I don’t offer generic advice – I offer relevant, empathetic guidance that resonates because I have been there myself. Whether it’s managing communication across teams or supporting someone through a tough decision, I strive to combine emotional intelligence with practical insight to help people thrive. After all, 72% of newly promoted managers leave within two years, a phenomenon that coaching can change, especially if positioned as a risk mitigation and talent investment strategy.

The support I provide your employees is intended to be transformational, not transactional, by focusing on long-term change and adopting an approach grounded in psychology and neuroscience. In short, I am here not just to help people “do better” but also to think differently, rewire certain habits, and become role models.

I will work with your technical leaders to:

1. Uncover the reasons holding them back
2. Identify gaps in leadership skills and strengths
3. Create customised practical solutions to support them in developing strategic and people skills

The result is managers who exude confidence, resilience, and leadership presence, navigate career transitions, and speak up and challenge the status quo.

Here is what some of my clients have felt after working with me:

“I felt empowered after our discussions, believing that my goals (which were overwhelming me) were actually achievable. Through considered planning and obstacle-tackling, Pankti devised a workable solution for me that has been life-changing. This new approach allows me to be productive in my work whilst also being kind to myself by understanding that sometimes life gets in the way” – Lawyer

“I have worked with Pankti for a number of coaching sessions and found them hugely rewarding. Not only has Pankti given me valuable time to reflect on work and personal situations, but she has also helped me see scenarios differently and created the opportunity for me to explore what I really wanted. Pankti created a safe yet challenging environment for each of our sessions.” – HR Director