In the high pressure world of global strategy and board level decision making, it is easy to become a floating head. Many senior professionals operate entirely from their intellect, pushing through exhaustion until their bodies eventually force a halt. Fabienne Cuisinier, a Master Certified Coach (MCC) and founder of Start Where You Are, knows this precipice well. After two decades leading global business development across four continents, she reached a point where her physical energy was depleted and her sense of meaning had vanished. This personal crisis became the catalyst for a profound career shift, leading her to help other global leaders find a more sustainable, impactful way of being.
Her philosophy is rooted in the belief that leadership is not a set of cognitive skills to be memorized, but a physical and emotional state to be embodied. Fabienne works with expatriates, executives, and humanitarian leaders to bridge the gap between their professional ambitions and their personal well being. She views coaching as a developmental journey rather than a simple fix. In her own words, “Developmental coaching is enabling to increase the capacity of the glass of water so that more water can be pulled into the glass, whereas skill coaching is adding water in the glass only.” This distinction in her approach underscores her commitment to long lasting transformation.
The Power of Starting Where You Are
The name of Fabienne’s practice, Start Where You Are, serves as both a name and a core methodology. It reflects her belief that many professionals waste energy trying to be someone they are not or waiting for the perfect conditions to change. Her coaching sessions invite clients to face their current reality with honesty and curiosity. This honesty often begins with the body. Fabienne is a specialist in Leadership Embodiment, a method that uses the physical form as a shortcut to change one’s internal state.
By shifting a physical posture, a leader can move from a state of stress or defensiveness into a state of openness and presence. “The way we sit and stand influences the way we speak, the way we think and how others perceive us,” Fabienne explains on her website. This focus on the “mind body connection” allows leaders to handle the volatility of the modern business world without losing their center.
A Career Built on Global Experience
Fabienne’s expertise is backed by a diverse professional history. Before becoming a coach, she spent over twenty years in industries ranging from solar energy to luxury watches. Having lived in six countries and speaking four languages fluently, she understands the unique pressures of international business and the complexities of intercultural communication. This background allows her to serve as a strategic sparring partner for her clients, combining her analytical MBA training with her deep intuition as an Integral Coach.
Her transition from the boardroom to the coaching chair was born out of a realization that she could no longer ignore her own exhaustion. During her sabbatical in 2012, she discovered that bringing her “full self” to her work was the only way to find genuine joy and efficiency. “I was still searching for the meaning of all this,” she reflects when recounting her burnout. “Only in bringing all of us with ease to our work, daily interactions, and projects, can we really clarify and focus on what matters most to us and ultimately make a powerful impact.”
Tools for the Modern Leader
Fabienne utilizes several specialized frameworks to help her clients grow, including the Enneagram and Emotional Intelligence (EI) training. She views emotions as a vital source of data rather than a distraction. In her view, ignoring emotions is a strategic mistake that cuts a leader off from their own authenticity and creativity. She suggests a simple but powerful framework for developing this intelligence: self awareness of thoughts, regulation of triggers, and an awareness of the needs of others.
Her coaching often incorporates creative elements, such as poetry or photography, to help clients tap into their deeper purpose. Whether she is leading a Leadership Embodiment workshop in Berlin or conducting a virtual session for a team in Asia, her goal remains the same: to help people move from a state of “doing” to a state of “being.” Her clients frequently praise her ability to ask the right questions that open up perspectives which previously seemed impossible.
Connect with Fabienne Cuisinier
If you are a professional looking to increase your leadership presence or manage your energy more effectively, Fabienne offers several ways to engage with her work. You can explore her customized 1 on 1 programs, join a group catalyst session, or participate in her workshops.
- Website: Start Where You Are
- LinkedIn: Fabienne Cuisinier
- Email: fabienne@startwhereyouare.net
Phone: +49 151 175 65 097
