When the stakes of leadership transition become real
—EXECUTIVE COACHING ・TOKYO, JAPAN
I work with organizations in Japan to support their leaders when capable people suddenly feel in over their heads in new roles, new cultures, and new versions of themselves.
— THE TRANSITIONS THAT MATTER MOST
A high performer who earned a promotion but now questions how to show up effectively in their new role
A seasoned leader adapting to living and working in Japan — where the rules are genuinely different
A capable expert becoming a first-time people manager, discovering that technical skill doesn't automatically translate
A senior hire from HQ stepping into a Japan role and struggling to land with credibility and cultural fluency
Support your people when capable leaders suddenly feel in over their heads
There's a moment in transition when even the most accomplished professionals struggle to find their footing. These moments are often accompanied by overwhelm, self-doubt, overthinking, communication challenges, or a growing sense that the old way of operating no longer works. That moment calls for a trusted thinking partner — not a training program scheduled three weeks out.
Hi, I’m Katheryn Gronauer
I'm a PCC-certified executive coach, TEDx speaker, and author based in Tokyo. I grew up between Japan and the US, which gives me a first-hand, bi-cultural lens that I bring to every engagement.
I work with professionals who are capable, often high-achieving, and navigating a transition that's turned out to be harder than expected. My work sits at the intersection of leadership, culture, and identity.
I partner with organizations so the leaders who need support have access to it when it matters most.
— ABOUT KATHERYN
"I've spent over a decade helping people find their footing in some of the most complex situations — new titles, new cultures, new versions of themselves."
— Katheryn Gronauer, PCC · CEO, Thrive Tokyo Co., Ltd.
— HOW I WORK WITH ORGANIZATIONS
When a leader is in transition, what they need most isn't a training program scheduled three weeks out. They need someone to think with — before the difficult conversation, in the middle of the disorienting stretch, when the old way of operating stops working.
I work with organizations across Japan to provide ongoing coaching support for leaders navigating high-stakes transitions. Every engagement starts with a conversation about what your people are actually going through. From there, we build the support around that.
Coaching takes place in person at the Thrive Tokyo office in Meijijingumae, or online.
Works especially well for:
High performers promoted into people management for the first time
Senior hires stepping into Japan from HQ
Leaders adapting to a new culture, new team, or new level of responsibility
Organizations onboarding expat talent into Japan-based roles
"The insights from coaching have given me confidence to open conversations with my Japanese subordinates and colleagues. I'm more equipped with finding out where they are coming from and finding the right words to move us forward. Previously I would just give up on the basis that we don't speak the same language or force my ways on them."
Seema
Global Leader, Managing Director in Japan
"I had to grab the opportunity to do coaching as I was stepping into a new role within my company. Leading a team was something new to me. Katheryn's insights have given me a lot of awareness on how to approach my mindset, relationships, and communication. My sense of direction became as clear as light and things turned out for the better."
Jay
First-Time People Manager
"I had recently received a promotion which meant moving to another country and taking on a new role. Katheryn has given me so much support and guidance during our coaching sessions that have been invaluable to me during this transition period in my career. I would certainly recommend anyone who is going through a challenging time in their career to try coaching sessions with Katheryn."
Sam
Promoted Leader, International Relocation
Leaders who've found their footing
— WHAT CLIENTS SAY
— LET’S TALK
When your organization is putting leaders into high-stakes transitions, how are you setting them up to succeed?
I work with a small number of organizations at a time to provide ongoing coaching support for leaders navigating new roles, new cultures, and new levels of responsibility. Let’s start with a free 30-minute consultation to talk through what your team is facing.
—LATEST INSIGHTS