Relational Strategist & Executive Psychotherapist
The most consequential challenges leaders face are rarely technical. They're relational.
I'm James Hartley — relational strategist, executive psychotherapist, and IPA researcher working with senior leaders and FTSE-level organisations.
For nearly a decade I've worked at the intersection of psychological depth and organisational performance — helping leaders and leadership teams understand the human dynamics that shape how they actually function under pressure.
I help leaders see the relational pattern underneath the problem, then change it.
Trusted by leaders in
Leadership problems are not what they appear to be on the surface.
The surface might be a team that can't make decisions, a communication breakdown after a restructure, a senior hire that isn't landing, or a high-performer quietly losing confidence.
But underneath is almost always a relational pattern:
The way authority is held and contested
How honesty is permitted or suppressed
How individual competitiveness erodes collective trust
How the pursuit of speed quietly displaces transparency
How some voices carry weight and others do not
How pressure gets absorbed or displaced.
These patterns rarely appear on an org chart or surface in a survey. But they shape everything.
My work — whether with individuals, leadership teams, or whole organisations — begins where most consulting stops: with a rigorous, qualitative inquiry into how people are actually experiencing the system they're working in.
That inquiry produces something most organisations have never seen before: a clear, structured account of the relational dynamics shaping performance, trust, and change.
Executive Therapy
For high-performing professionals under sustained pressure.
Relational Strategy
For leadership teams where performance is constrained by dynamics that formal structures can't see or fix.
Workshops and Speaking
For organisations that want to shift how their people think, communicate, and lead together.
Trusted Expertise
5,000+ hours working with complex human dynamics
Consultant to FTSE-level organisations
Six years of postgraduate clinical training
Award-winning therapist (NHS Big Life Creative Award)
Academically active; currently preparing original IPA research for publication
Former international athlete who overcame PTSD after a career-ending accident
What Leaders Say
“I’ve worked with James for more than 12 months personally and alongside the Digital Management Team… including one-to-one coaching, team sessions and creative interventions that encouraged fresh thinking. James listens closely, understands the dynamics at play and brings ideas that are thoughtful, practical and tailored to the people in the room. He is someone to trust, someone to believe in and, most importantly, someone who delivers with great skill and care. I would recommend him to any leader or leadership team looking to build resilience, strengthen relationships and face the future with greater confidence.”
- Rich Corbridge, Chief Information Officer. SEGRO PLC
“We engaged James during a significant period of corporate change to support our team. His work helped strengthen resilience, sharpen thinking, and gave people space to reflect and connect with a sense of purpose whilst operating under pressure. He brought a calm, insightful presence and added real value at an important time.”
- Rich Bradley, Executive Technology and Data Leader at Mars Snacking
Start a conversation
Initial conversations are confidential and exploratory — focused on understanding whether my work is the right fit for your context. I typically begin with a 30-minute call at no charge.