What  Top Leaders say about The Leadership Edge

Senator Claiborne Pell (D- Rhode Island)

"If we had a hundred more people of David's skills in the Senate, we could really get things done."

Michael Spindler, former CEO & President, Apple Computer

"You are irreplaceable as a coach. I really value your input."

John Donahoe, CEO, EBay

"David has been immensely valuable to my development as a businessman, a leader and as a human being. I have worked with him for over a decade and consider him to be an excellent coach, advisor and friend."

Bob Stephens, CEO, Adaptec

"Adaptec has enjoyed a relationship with David for nearly 8 years. David is without equal in his business pragmatism, facilitative capabilities and coaching skills."

George Thornton, CEO, Agriliance

"As the new CEO, I needed an experienced, thoughtful professional to work with me and selected members of my senior staff to insure that focus on appropriate priorities, communications and results was maintained at the required pace. David has not only gained my trust and respect as a mentor but more importantly he has earned the respect of my senior staff. David has a unique ability to quickly analyze complex team and interpersonal situations and apply proven methodologies to gain group and individual focus."

David Tillman MD, CEO, Motion Picture and Television Hospitals

"David's impact on our communication, problem solving and team effectiveness has been significant and very positive. You have a style that has enhanced your effectiveness, even among some of our team who were initially skeptical about using a coach. We are confident that your impact will endure."

Yuval Baron, CEO, Actelis Networks

"As a CEO coach, David is an good as it gets. David has helped me to really grow as a CEO. With a wealth of experience, he always provides intelligent analysis to complicated situations. I found his approach very flexible without imposing ideas. His recommendations are very constructive and his candor helpful."

Martin Mazzanti, CEO, The Produce Exchange

"You have always helped us to see the principles behind the solutions. You make all the business theory practical and usable. That has allowed us to continually improve our decision making and handling of new challenges. You have helped us to commit to a consistent and professional process that increases our productivity and the quality of our results."

Tom Minick, CEO, Zamba and former Director, Apple Computer

"You supported and guided me in a way that allowed me to go from real burnout to genuine enthusiasm and renewal. Business is fun again."

Tom Tierney, former CEO, Bain & Co.

"You've made a world of difference for me. You have helped me with the most difficult issues that I couldn't even speak to my staff about."

Max Shapiro, CEO, PeopleConnecting

"David is outstanding. I know of no one who combines his ability to focus and crystallize ones thinking about both business and personal challenges.  His techniques are creative, his approach is caring and straightforward and the results created are very meaningful. His assistance was invaluable to me when I was dealing with a very stressful business and personal crisis. His ability to take each issue, prioritize and problem solve was a key to my getting through a most difficult time."

Rockell Hankin, President, Hankin and Co.

"Your guidance has been important and constructive, a powerful factor in my continued growth and development as a leader."

Phil Batchelor, Chief Administrative Officer, Contra Costa County, CA

"David is unlike most consultants. He really gets things done and makes a difference."

Norm Hickey, Chief Administrative Officer, San Diego County, CA

"David really gets to the heart of the problem. He can really get people to try new strategies and consider new ways of thinking rather than being stuck in the old traps."

Val Alexeeff, Director, Growth Management & Development Agency, Contra Costa County, CA

"Your objective way of dealing with issues is so clear that I learned a new way to talk with people about difficult issues. You helped us with conflicts that we thought were unsolvable and showed us perspectives that offered whole new possibilities that we hadn't seen. You made it safe to explore the things in both my business and my personal goals that are hard for every leader, including me, to talk about."

Roberta Yang, Deputy Chief Trial Counsel, State Bar of California

"You took the most difficult issues I was facing and made it easier to see the choices and the options clearly. I was able to act wisely because of your guidance."

David Barram, Senior Vice President, Apple Computer

"You have made such a difference with me and my team. I contribute more effectively in meetings and experience myself as more powerful with my work."

John Croll, General Counsel, Sun Microsystems

"You have taken a good team and made it great."

John Tefft, Executive Vice President, Shaklee Corporation

"You're one of the most important people I've come to know in my whole career. You've really helped."

John O'Loughlin, Director, Sun Microsystems

"You're the best consultant we've ever used. We really got things done with your help. You always helped us get to the toughest core issue."

Michael Markman, Director, Worldwide Advertising, Apple Computer

"You have really helped me to address some very difficult and long standing issues. Your assistance and persistence was extraordinary."

Mike Faster, Chief Executive Officer, Coyote Creek Consulting

"What you have given me has been crucial for my career. I can't tell you how much of a difference you have made."

Dr. Joseph Ciancaglini, Director Sacred Heart School of New York

“Working with David is like adding that pinch of salt to a dessert recipe.  Just as the salt harmonizes and brings out the various flavors of many different ingredients, David has been able to help me to bring together and manage successfully the often unharmonious, unclear and divergent demands of my job.  David is a master at absorbing large amounts of information quickly and accurately.  He can drill down with amazing speed to the key issue as well as articulate an effective way to manage that issue.

David has created a place and time for me in which I can speak with complete confidentially and confidence that he will help me find the most effective solution to problems that range from the simple to the complex.  And by most effective I mean that the course he has helped me to plot out conforms to the highest levels of ethical and professional conduct.”

Jim Padden, COO, Sunkist

"David has tireless energy and is an excellent facilitator in sensitive/strategic settings.  He keeps the process moving. David has a knack to continually re-focus a group toward the goals of the meeting and not allow individuals to railroad the group thought process."

JoAline Olson, CEO, St Helena Hospital

"Dr. Surrenda, through his coaching, provides the CEO of a complex organization with the tools needed to develop, implement and drive strategy; to use the strengths of the executive team to get the results needed; to understand the importance of relational as well as operational leadership; to think through the implications of decisions; to communicate effectively with the important stakeholders and to understand organizational dynamics. David is an excellent listener, a thoughtful advisor and a trusted confidant"

Rod Calvao, CEO, San Diego County Credit Union

"You were great, as usual."