Linda Scotti – Meet the Mentor

Why did you decide to become a mentor?

I decided to become a mentor because I’ve seen firsthand how transformative guidance can be—especially in high-pressure industries like tech and sales. Throughout my career, I often watched talented leaders hold themselves back because of self-doubt, lack of clarity, or ineffective strategies. Mentoring gives me the chance to interrupt that cycle. When I first signed up, I hoped I could “give back” by sharing lessons from my journey. What I didn’t anticipate is how much my own clients’ breakthroughs would deepen my growth as well. Seeing someone shift from struggling with confidence to leading with clarity and impact is a constant reminder of why I do this work. For me, mentorship is less about offering advice and more about creating space for transformation—and that’s where the magic happens.

How did you get your career start?

I began my career 26 years ago in the event management industry, but it didn’t take long for me to fall in love with the power and possibilities of the newborn internet. I reinvented myself as a web editor for one of the first online car insurance companies, which opened the door to a lifelong career in tech. Like many, my early years were marked by exposure to fear-based leadership: environments where pressure, micromanagement, and control often overshadowed trust. I pushed through for years until I eventually burned out in 2008. That period was a catalyst—it forced me to re-examine not just how I worked, but how I wanted to lead. When I moved to Google Dublin, I finally experienced a healthier model of leadership rooted in trust, empowerment, and influence. To my surprise, colleagues began looking to me as a role model of the kind of leadership I once longed for myself. That journey—from burnout caused by outdated leadership styles to embodying conscious, empowering leadership—inspired me to create my own framework: The Brave Presence Method. Built on the pillars of Body, Mind, and Soul, Brave Presence equips leaders to remain calm under pressure, influence with clarity and kindness, and align their leadership with authentic purpose. It’s the culmination of everything I’ve learned: resilience, reinvention, and the profound truth that leadership done well transforms both people and performance.

What do mentees usually come to you for?

Mentees usually come to me when they’re at a leadership crossroads—stepping into greater responsibility, struggling with confidence, or navigating complex dynamics like conflict, communication, and influence. Many are highly capable but find themselves stuck in patterns of self-doubt, overthinking, or people-pleasing that hold them back from leading with both clarity and authority. I guide them through my signature Brave Presence Method (Body • Mind • Soul), which helps leaders cultivate calm confidence, stay mentally fit under pressure, and align their leadership with authentic purpose. Together, we work through a continuous loop: Intercept triggers in real time to stop reactive patterns, Recode limiting beliefs at the identity level, Rehearse new, empowered behaviors in real-life scenarios, Prove impact through measurable results and feedback, and Integrate these shifts until they become second nature. This process blends deep inner work with practical strategies. Mentees can expect not just tools, but a transformative experience—emerging more resilient, influential, and capable of leading with courage and kindness in even the toughest situations.

What's been your favourite mentorship success story so far?

One of the most rewarding mentorships I’ve had is with a tech founder leading a small but fast-growing global remote team. He came to me struggling with challenges that many new leaders face but rarely admit: managing conflict, navigating power dynamics, and holding his team accountable while maintaining trust across cultures and time zones. We anchored our work in frameworks like The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership by Jim Dethmer, which helped him recognize when he was leading from fear rather than curiosity, and Reality-Based Leadership by Cy Wakeman, which offered practical tools for cutting through drama and focusing on accountability. These perspectives became a catalyst for shifting his leadership style from reactive to intentional. Over time, he began approaching difficult conversations with newfound confidence and decisiveness. He’s no longer avoiding conflict but instead using it as a pathway to clarity and stronger relationships. While it’s still a journey—as leadership always is—the transformation in his confidence, communication, and his team’s cohesion has been remarkable. For me, witnessing that kind of growth is the essence of why I love mentoring.

What are you getting out of being a mentor?

Mentorship has been just as transformative for me as it is for my mentees. Each time I guide someone through the Brave Presence Method, I’m reminded that leadership is a continuous practice, not a fixed state. Helping others intercept triggers, reframe limiting patterns, and step into authentic, values-based influence deepens my own mastery of these tools and keeps me aligned with the principles I teach. What I’ve gained most is perspective. Every mentee brings a unique story, challenge, and context that stretches my own leadership lens. The work reinforces my belief that courageous kindness and calm confidence aren’t just “nice-to-haves,” but critical leadership skills that drive real performance and resilience. On a personal level, mentoring fills me with purpose and joy. There’s nothing more rewarding than watching someone shift from self-doubt into brave, authentic presence—leading their teams and organizations from a place of both strength and humanity. In many ways, my mentees help me stay in Brave Presence myself.