The Psychology of Executive Performance
On my way to Shahab, I was skeptical. Yet, after a few words, there was an immediate sense that I was in the presence of someone who truly understands how the human mind works at its highest levels. As a licensed psychologist and Managing Partner at Omino Business Psychology Advisors, Shahab has spent over 18 years helping leaders transform their approach to performance, wellbeing, and authentic leadership. His straightforwardness on addressing key concerns was refreshing, for a moment, I felt like having a chat with a friend from the hood, the true talk, no bullshit.
What also makes Shahab unique is his deep understanding of the psychology behind high performance. Unlike traditional consultants who focus solely on business strategies, Shahab delves into the mind of the executive, creating what Fredrik Hjelm, CEO of the unicorn company VOI Technology, describes as "an operating system for mental and physical top performance."
More Than Just Stress Management
Many business psychologists approach executive coaching with the standard advice to "stress less" or "find work-life balance." Shahab takes a fundamentally different approach. As he often says, "Founders don't want to hear that they should stress less." Instead, he focuses on building mental resilience and performance systems that work within the reality of a high-pressure business environment.
His methodology combines business psychology with practical tools that executives can implement immediately. It's not about avoiding the challenges; it's about developing the mental framework to thrive amidst them.
A Force for Clarity and Direction
What struck me most about working with Shahab is how he serves as what I'd call "a force to find our way in everything we do." In the chaos of executive leadership, he provides not just emotional support but strategic clarity.
The work isn't about therapy in the traditional sense—it's about optimizing how leaders think, decide, and execute. Shahab has an extraordinary ability to identify psychological barriers that limit performance and provide actionable strategies to overcome them.
The Elite Inner Circle
Shahab works with some of Europe's top executives and entrepreneurs, becoming a trusted advisor in their inner circles. While discretion prevents naming most of his clients I personally know, his approach has resonated with leaders across diverse industries who face similar mental challenges: sustained focus under pressure, decision-making amidst uncertainty, and maintaining peak performance over the long term.
These leaders, don't just consult with Shahab during crises—they integrate his methodology into their ongoing leadership practice. The relationship becomes one of continuous performance optimization rather than occasional intervention.
Finding Practical Help
For me, the value of Shahab's approach has been overwhelmingly practical. Having dealt with therapists for personal matters arising from my difficult upbringing, I was initially doubtful about the value of bringing psychology into my professional realm. What I discovered was entirely different from my expectations—a treasure trove of practical help that transformed how I approach leadership challenges, societal issues, and yes, even the Gen-z’s unnecessarily complaining about matters ranging from non-functional coffee machines to a net missing on a ping pong table.
Shahab doesn't deal in abstract theories. His methods are concrete, actionable, and measurable. The focus is always on translating psychological insights into tangible performance improvements.
The Performance Operating System
Working with Shahab is like upgrading your mental operating system. The process begins with a deep assessment of how you process information, make decisions, and respond to pressure. From there, he helps build customized strategies that leverage your natural strengths while addressing potential performance limiters.
For many executives, including myself, this systematic approach to mental performance has been revolutionary. It's not about working harder—it's about working with a deeper understanding of your own psychological drivers and barriers.
Conclusion
In the demanding world of executive leadership, having the right psychological tools isn't a luxury—it's a necessity. Shahab Sayardoust has established himself as a vital resource for leaders seeking to elevate their mental game to match their business ambitions.
As Fredrik Hjelm aptly puts it: "He has helped me build an operating system for mental and physical top performance." I couldn't agree more. For those willing to look beyond traditional business coaching, Shahab offers something far more valuable—a pathway to sustainable excellence through the power of applied psychology.
For leaders ready to treat their minds with the same seriousness as their business strategies, Shahab Sayardoust might just be the missing piece in your performance puzzle.
Noa Khamallah is General Partner at Don't Quit Ventures.
