Transformative Coaching Based on Research and Experience
Leadership isn’t just instinct—it’s a skill that can be developed through proven models, metrics, and methodologies tailored for senior executives. At Leaders By Design, our coaching is grounded in rigorous research and decades of real-world experience. Co-founders Peter J. Dean and Molly D. Shepard bring a unique blend of insight and expertise, delivering high-impact coaching that’s both strategic and deeply personalized.
Peter J. Dean, MS, Ph.D. and
Molly D. Shepard, MS, MSM
Molly D. Shepard and Peter J. Dean help C‑suite executives and Boards navigate the challenges and opportunities of leading today’s complex global workplaces. Drawing on decades of experience coaching and advising senior leaders, they apply affirmative leadership principles to inspire employees, strengthen Board and team relationships, and drive positive results.
Molly D. Shepard, MS, MSM
Molly D. Shepard, Partner at Leaders By Design, is a dynamic leader with over 30 years of empowering executives and transforming organizations. With a wealth of experience in leadership development, executive coaching, and career strategy, Molly has dedicated her career to guiding leaders to unlock their full potential and achieve meaningful impact. A sought-after keynote speaker and moderator, she inspires audiences with her forward-thinking insights and commitment to creating lasting change. Passionately advocating for senior women in business, Molly has made it her mission to break down barriers, amplify voices, and create pathways for women to rise, thrive, and lead with confidence and purpose at the highest levels.
Peter J. Dean, MS, Ph.D.
Peter J. Dean, Partner at Leaders By Design, is a visionary in leadership development with over 30 years of shaping the potential of executives and organizations worldwide. As a trusted advisor to Fortune 500 companies, Peter brings a rare blend of academic excellence and real-world impact. He has held influential roles at The Wharton School, Fordham University, and the University of Iowa, where his thought leadership has inspired the next generation of leaders. With a Ph.D. in Learning Psychology and Human Resource Management, Peter’s lifelong mission is to elevate leadership through insight, purpose, and transformation. His work has earned him multiple teaching awards and a reputation for empowering leaders to drive meaningful change.
News from Leaders By Design
DISC Leadership Styles
May 6, 2026 | Leaders By Design
Most senior executives can describe how they lead. Very few can describe how they lead when things go wrong — and that gap is where decisions get distorted, teams stop pushing back, and leadership effectiveness quietly erodes. The style that carried you to the C-suite has a shadow side, and at the top, that shadow side is almost always what limits what you build next.
The Personality Traits That Separate Good Leaders From Great Ones
April 20, 2026 | Peter J. Dean, Ph.D.
The traits that got you to the C-suite aren’t always the ones that keep you effective there — and in my experience, the gap shows up in three specific places most senior leaders would rather not examine. I’ll show you exactly where to look.
The Mind’s Interpretation: How Attention and Mindfulness Shape Executive Performance
April 6, 2026 | Peter J. Dean, Ph.D.
Your brain reacts 165 milliseconds before your conscious mind catches up. For senior executives, that gap is where leadership is won or lost. In this installment of Cultivating Leaders, I explore how attention, mindfulness, and the science of reframing give leaders access to their best judgment precisely when pressure is highest.