Meet Colin Gautrey
I help senior professionals navigate power, politics, and performance—with clarity, confidence, and integrity.
Over the last 20 years, I’ve worked with leaders around the world to sharpen their influence, raise their strategic profile, and get things done in complex environments.
Trusted by Leaders Worldwide
I’ve worked with professionals across a wide range of sectors—finance, tech, pharma, government, and more—supporting rising leaders and senior executives to sharpen their influence, shift their positioning, and succeed in politically complex environments.
Client organisations include Amazon, Fiat Chrysler, Zurich Insurance, Ernst & Young, Meta (Facebook), Allianz, and the NHS.
My work has also been used by Goldman Sachs, AXA, ASDA, Pfizer, Clifford Chance, and many more.
I’ve also presented my work at leading institutions including London Business School, Wharton, Cass, and Warwick Business School—where I’ve coached, lectured, and conducted research into influence and political skill for over 15 years.
My experience spans multiple continents and cultures, giving me a broad perspective on how influence plays out in different environments.
My Background
Before I began teaching influence, I lived it—through hands-on roles in Mergers & Acquisitions, International Strategy, and IT. Working across large-scale projects and high-stakes environments, I saw first-hand how careers rise and stall—not just on performance, but on perception, relationships, and power.
This real-world foundation led me to explore how professionals could navigate those dynamics more deliberately. I deepened that work through research at Warwick Business School, focusing on political skill and its role in leadership success. I’ve now been coaching, lecturing, and collaborating with Warwick for over 15 years.
Along the way, I’ve written several books, including:
- Influential Leadership: A Leader’s Guide to Getting Things Done (Kogan Page)
- 21 Dirty Tricks at Work (Capstone Wiley)
- Political Dilemmas at Work (John Wiley)
All of this is dwarfed by the body of work available on this site—every part of it focused on practical, action-oriented success.
I’ve also collaborated with other thought leaders such as Allan Cohen and Marshall Goldsmith to extend our work on influence and organisational politics, and my work has been featured in The Financial Times, The Times, and cited in a range of leadership books and publications.
My Approach
I believe influence works best when it’s grounded in integrity and clarity—not gamesmanship or performance. I don’t teach theory for theory’s sake. Everything I do is designed to help you take real action, in your real environment, with confidence.
Whether I’m coaching one-to-one or designing a course, my focus is the same:
- Help you see more clearly
- Move more decisively
- And position yourself more powerfully
The politics don’t disappear. But once you understand how they work—and how you work within them—you stop reacting and start shaping what happens next.
Working Together
If you’re ready to move faster, with more clarity and traction—this is your next step.
Explore My Courses
Ready to take action? These practical, self-paced programmes are built for professionals who want to lead with influence, navigate the politics with integrity, and accelerate their strategic positioning.
Every course is designed to go deep—bringing together 20+ years of fieldwork, executive coaching, and leading-edge thinking on power, trust, and performance.
The Gautrey Influence Blog
Ever felt overlooked, unheard, or stuck in office politics? You’re not alone. The Gautrey Influence Blog breaks down the real-world strategies behind leadership, influence, and power—giving you the tools to be heard, respected, and successful. Join 35,000+ professionals getting ahead the smart way—subscribe now..
