About Magda

Trusted Advisor.
Strategic Partner.
Communication Expert.

I help leaders build the kind of influence that doesn't depend on title, volume, or performance — but on clarity, authenticity, and a communication strategy that is unmistakably yours.

My Story

I didn't start as a coach.
I started as a communicator.

For two decades, I worked at the intersection of communication, journalism, and high-stakes decision-making — moderating debates at international forums, advising organizations navigating change, and developing leaders who needed to matter in rooms where influence is everything.

What I kept discovering was the same gap: brilliant people — executives, innovators, change-makers — who had the knowledge, the vision, and the drive, but couldn't make it land. They weren't communicating their real value. Their expertise wasn't translating into the influence they deserved.

My work became about closing that gap. Not through scripts or formulas, but through deep, personalized work on identity, thinking, and the way leaders communicate who they are and what they stand for.

Today I work with C-level leaders, high-potential executives, founders, and organizations that understand: communication is not a soft skill. It is the core skill of modern leadership.

Magda Petryniak — executive coach and strategic communication advisor
500+
Leaders Worked With
20+
Years
Why Leaders Trust Me

Experience built where it matters most

20+ Years in High-Stakes Environments

From boardrooms and international conferences to TV studios and think tanks — I have built my practice where the pressure is highest and the stakes are real.

500+ Global Leaders Worked With

Executives, C-level leaders, high-potential managers, founders, and public figures across Europe, North America, and beyond.

Certified & Credentialed

Certified PROSCI Change Practitioner, DISC Consultant, trained in Mike Bosworth's Story Seekers methodology and deep listening frameworks (Story Tending).

Executive MBA Instructor

Five years as one of the highest-rated instructors in the Executive MBA Program at Cracow School of Business — consistently recognized by leaders for transformational impact.

Media & Public Presence

Speaker at WEF-affiliated forums, Krynica Economic Forum, TEDx events. Featured in HBR Poland and major business media. Host of Impact Leaders podcast.

Creator of Communication Masterclass

Founded the signature digital program for leaders who want to build influence through strategic communication — on their own terms and timeline.

My Method

The Four Pillars of Influence.

A strategic framework that transforms how leaders communicate, connect, and create lasting impact.

Pillar 01

Strategy

Where and how you play

Influence without direction is noise. Strategy defines where you focus your energy, who matters, and what you are driving toward — so your influence is targeted, not scattered.

  • Defining your arena: business outcomes, social impact, or stakeholder dynamics
  • Mapping your zone of influence: where you have leverage and where you need to build it
  • Identifying key stakeholders: decision-makers, allies, blockers, hidden influencers
  • Aligning personal ambitions with organizational objectives
  • Positioning yourself intentionally: when to collaborate, challenge, or lead

Strategy ensures your influence is not accidental. It is deliberate, targeted, and outcome-driven.

Pillar 02

Identity

Who you are as a leader

Before you can lead others, you need internal clarity. Identity is your anchor — it defines who you are when you show up, and why people should trust, follow, or listen to you. This pillar starts where most leadership work doesn't — with the beliefs and patterns that silently shape how you show up.

  • Beliefs and blockers: the internal narratives that limit or expand your influence — imposter syndrome, self-doubt at high visibility, the habit of putting yourself last
  • Values: what you stand for and what you won't compromise
  • Voice: how you think, speak, and express ideas in a way that is distinctly yours
  • Story: the experiences and perspectives that shape your leadership
  • Leadership identity: the role you naturally and intentionally play
  • Positioning: how you want to be perceived — and how you are perceived today

When your identity is clear — inside and out — your influence becomes authentic, consistent, and recognizable. Instead of reactive or performative.

Pillar 03

Persuasion

How you move people

Persuasion is the mechanism of influence. It is how you translate ideas, strategies, and vision into understanding, buy-in, and action. This pillar blends structure with presence.

  • Narrative building: crafting clear, compelling stories that make ideas resonate
  • Argumentation: using logic, evidence, and framing to strengthen your case
  • Rhetorical skill: adapting tone, language, and messaging to your audience
  • Emotional intelligence: reading the room and responding strategically
  • High-stakes communication: performing effectively in board presentations, negotiations, media, and critical 1:1 conversations

Persuasion turns intention into impact — by making your ideas understood, felt, and adopted.

Pillar 04

Visibility

How you build your presence and reach

Visibility is the amplifier of influence. It determines whether your leadership is noticed, trusted, and remembered — in the rooms and spaces that matter to your growth. This pillar is about building intentional presence in the right arenas.

  • Personal brand: the consistent, strategic perception others form about you — in your organization and in your market
  • Executive presence: how you show up in high-stakes rooms, conversations, and decisions
  • Platform selection: choosing the right stages — conferences, industry forums, advisory boards, media — where your presence creates real impact
  • Thought leadership: building visibility through ideas — panels, keynotes, articles, podcasts, LinkedIn
  • Organizational visibility: how you are seen by senior stakeholders, boards, and decision-makers internally
  • Community and network: the business clubs, associations, and professional circles that extend your reach

Visibility ensures that the right people see, recognize, and remember your influence.

Featured at / In Media
Krynica Economic Forum
WEF-Affiliated Events
HBR Poland
TEDx
Impact Leaders Podcast
Business Insider PL
In Their Own Words

What leaders say

"Ridiculous efficiency, personal commitment, quality. For a while, Magdalena and her team became part of mine — and earned my highest recommendation."
T
Tomasz Dreslerski
Vice President, Orange (Business Market)
"For five years, Magdalena has consistently ranked among the top instructors in our Executive MBA program. Her work with executives is transformational."
D
Dr Agnieszka Żur
Director, Executive MBA Program, Cracow School of Business
"Magda's insights into trust-based communication have had a profound impact on my approach to business interactions."
R
Rafał Górski
VP Global Applications, ACCO Brands

Ready to work together?

Let's find the right path for you.

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