The Leader You Become Changes Everything
A roadmap for leaders who want to build a culture worth staying for.
How Early Childhood Behavior Shapes Extraordinary Leaders
Please, Thank You, and I'm Sorry
Drawing on two decades of executive leadership across financial technology, healthcare, e-commerce, and high-growth companies, Alexandra Gerritsen shows how three phrases you learned as a child unlock the leadership behaviors that build trust, drive accountability, and create cultures people want to stay in.
Please, Thank You, and I’m Sorry challenges the idea that strong leadership has to come at the expense of humility, accountability, and respect. Through personal stories, hard-earned lessons, and practical leadership insights, Please, Thank You, I’m Sorry shows how the most impactful leaders build high-performing teams by mastering the simplest — and often hardest — words in leadership.
This book is for leaders who want to raise standards, create stronger cultures, and prove that respectful leadership is not soft — it’s the foundation of lasting success.
With a foreword by STEVE FARBER — Author of The Radical Leap
DOES THIS Sound Familiar?
You've sat in rooms led by people who inspired fear instead of trust. You've watched great people leave, not because of the work, but because of how they were treated. Maybe you've been that leader, moving too fast to say thank you and too proud to say I'm sorry.
Rushed requests
Missed recognition
Zero Accountability
Effective leadership is not something you can perform. It’s how you choose to show up and who you choose to be — in the good times, and the challenging times.
Work With Alexandra
Alexandra brings the same candor and real-world energy to the stage that she brings to her leadership work. Her keynotes challenge audiences to examine how they show up as leaders and leave them with a practical framework they can apply the next day. Ideal for corporate events, leadership conferences, and company off-sites.
1:1 Executive Coaching
Most leaders are never taught how to lead with respect. They just wing it. Alexandra’s 1:1 coaching changes that. Drawing directly from the principles in her book, she works with executives and founders on the real work: communication, emotional intelligence, and the habits that either build trust or quietly destroy it. This is selective, personal, and built around one outcome: you become the leader your team deserves.
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Alexandra brings the same candor and real-world energy to the stage that she brings to her leadership work. Her keynotes challenge audiences to examine how they show up as leaders and leave them with a practical framework they can apply the next day. Ideal for corporate events, leadership conferences, and company off-sites.
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"Her intelligence, passion, and visionary leadership set her apart as a trailblazer in her field. Her ability to lead with both confidence and empathy makes her an invaluable asset to any team or organization."
SARA BROWN, CEO
Event Innovator & Corporate Consultant -
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"Ali's leadership and innovative mindset were nothing short of inspiring. She had a unique ability to bring clarity and direction to even the most complex projects, always balancing strategic vision with practical execution."
ABBY MARTIN
HR Leader -
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"Ali has been the most inspiring leader I've ever worked with. Her leadership style enriches a collaborative and supportive work environment where everyone feels valued and appreciated."
ABDALLAH HASSAN
IT Consultant -
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"Ali brings an exceptional ability to drive growth, streamline operations, and create cultures where teams thrive. Her teams aren't just productive — they're motivated, supported, and proud of the work they do."
JODI SHAW
Program Management & Financial Operations -
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"As a leader, Ali is both fair and firm, fostering an environment of growth and positivity. She brings a unique balance of fun and focus, driving success while uplifting her team."
SARA GEDDES
Business Intelligence & Analytics Executive -
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"I have always been impressed by Ali's emphasis on culture and team building. She taught me and our other executives the value of culture, and I saw the effect it had on our performance as a company."
VISHAAL MEHRA
Co-Founder, Mighty Fit SD -
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"Ali leads with a vision and a plan. She holds the team accountable, which made us incredibly productive — and we were all better in our execution because of her leadership and vigilance."
GENE HALLENBECK, Ed.M, M.A
HR Executive & Performance Coach -
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"Ali has completely transformed our entire company. She is incredibly passionate about not only developing cross-functional teams, but truly cultivating and mentoring each and every individual — I seriously do not know how she does it!"
BRITTANY WEICHERS
Executive Director, Portfolio Operations -
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"She supported me and helped provide whatever tools I needed to perform at my best. Although our career paths diverged, she always makes time to catch up and help me with career advice and guidance."
DEVON C.
Account Management | B2B Sales
Monthly insights for leaders who expect more from themselves, their teams, and their results.
What you'll get:
Powerful leadership insights that challenge how you think
Real examples from inside growing organizations
Practical actions you can apply immediately
One question that will change how you lead
