Craig Bardenheuer

Executive Coach

Every organization is unique. Its people, business, climate, competition, and stage of growth are its own. Most organizations face common dynamics and challenges: culture evolution, deep innovation, complexity, and shifting needs for leadership are always in play. There’s no magic recipe that, when followed, will guarantee success. Individual leaders and leadership teams can benefit from having a coach with rich business experience who will work with them to see around corners, develop and stretch capabilities, and work through difficult situations.

Craig’s coaching philosophy, that it’s important to consider both the individual and organizational contexts in a coaching relationship, comes from more than 45 years of experience in business and technology roles, from individual contributor to senior executive at companies such as Juniper Networks, Hewlett Packard, and Texas Instruments. Where people thrive, companies tend to thrive as well.

First as an informal coach, then beginning formally in 2007, he has worked with individuals and teams at every level of organizations to help them perform beyond their preconceived potential by shifting from acting reflexively to acting by intention. His practice now extends internationally to coaching relationships with high-potential and high-performing individuals and teams at companies at all stages of size, industry, and lifecycle.

Craig is currently the principal and founder of create-innovate-operate LLC, a coaching and consulting firm that uses creativity, innovation, and leadership coaching to fuel client business vigor and growth and create sustainable success.

Craig’s foundation is his wife, Tina, and their three boys, dear friends, and community. He has served as president of the Board of Directors for the Bare Hill Rowing Association, chair of his church’s Operating Board, and as a member of his town’s Planning Board. When it’s playtime, Craig’s passion is music, both listening to it and making it on one of his beloved guitars from an ever-growing collection.

He completed his MBA in Management from Hardin-Simmons University and a BS in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering from the University of Connecticut.

He currently resides in Florida and enjoys summers in Massachusetts.