Supporting early managers.

Evidence-based, strengths-led coaching.

Why this work exists

Many early and first-time managers are promoted before the internal shift to leadership takes root. In hybrid and remote environments, quiet pressures and unseen strains can make this transition uniquely challenging.

Supporting leaders at this stage helps cultivate resilience, confidence, and thoughtful leadership before unhelpful patterns set in. This practice exists to offer that grounded support—evidence-based, heartfelt, and effective.

Annemarie Plas

Developemental Coach

The approach

The Within Leadership Practice delivers developmental leadership coaching programmes that support early managers during critical transition periods. The approach is evidence-based and strengths-led, integrating neuroscience-informed practice, CliftonStrengths®, practical management tools, and self-regulation techniques that help leaders navigate pressure and complexity.

Programs typically run between 3 and 12 months, offering continuity and depth rather than one-off intervention. They can be delivered as stand-alone coaching journeys or alongside existing leadership programs, supporting managers as they apply learning in day-to-day leadership contexts.

Engagement formats:

(examples)

Transition Sprint: 4 sessions over 9 weeks (spacing between session recommended)
Early Manager Journey: 8–12 sessions (3–6 months)
Cohort Coaching: small groups (6 sessions)

The challenge early managers face

Many organisations expect confidence to follow promotion. Yet early managers—often leading hybrid or remote teams, are navigating new responsibilities, high expectations, and emotional load at the same time. Without the right support, this transition can quickly lead to overwhelm, overthinking, and reactive leadership.

What tends to show up? Over-control. Avoidance. People-pleasing.

Who this work is for

Early managers, HR and People teams, and senior leaders who want to support development without adding pressure.

Leaders in the first 3 years of their mangagerial.

This is preventative, developmental leadership support, not remedial coaching.

Let's explore fit

If you’re curious about supporting early managers in a thoughtful, evidence-based way, a short exploratory conversation is often the best place to start. It offers a calm, confidential space to explore needs, context, and fit, without obligation.

This conversation can also explore whether a pilot (1–3 managers) would be a good starting point.

Your Coach Annemarie Plas

With over 20 years of experience in commercial and global workplaces, Annemarie Plas brings a deep understanding of organisational life into her coaching. Over the past three years, she has supported early managers and individual contributors across Fortune 500 organisations, as well as the private and public sectors worldwide.

Working remotely from Portugal, she supports leaders and teams across geographies and time zones. She works as a thought partner, offering a calm, confidential space where people can think deeply, name what feels complex, and move forward with clarity and confidence. She works in both English and Dutch, supporting leaders in international and cross-cultural contexts.

ICF ACC & Strenghts Coaching Certified

Explore fit?

Contact Me to Transform a Manager's Experience