Befriending Dragons

At Befriending Dragons, we help organizations retain and advance underestimated leaders through strategic leadership development. Our work is grounded in the understanding that retention amid disruption depends on trust, clarity, and boundaries that empower people to lead sustainably. We design workshops, coaching, and leadership programs that turn individual insight into systemic influence—helping people and organizations grow stronger together. Whether we’re rebuilding trust after layoffs, preparing new managers for success, or equipping senior leaders to navigate change, our focus is always on sustainable leadership capacity. Founded by Cindy Gross, Befriending Dragons combines decades of tech and organizational experience with a deep commitment to underestimated brilliance. We help leaders reclaim energy once spent on proving they belong and redirect it toward driving meaningful results—for themselves, their teams, and their organizations.