Milan Pacák · Leadership Coach & Executive Mentor

Who I work with

Sound familiar?

A leader at a crossroads

An acquisition, a restructuring or rapid growth has changed the rules. The way you’ve always led isn’t enough anymore — you need a new strategy and new behaviours at the same time.

A CEO between owners and the team

You’re caught between shareholders and your own people. The company runs well — but pushing back upwards, holding authority downwards and saying no is harder than it should be.

A leader in a new role

You’ve been promoted into an executive role. You’re strong in your field, but delegating and communicating up and down drains more energy than it should.

Performance without fulfilment

The results are there, but the energy isn’t — and the question “is it worth it?” keeps coming back. Together we’ll find what took your balance, and how to get it back.

About me

I haven’t just read about your world. I’ve lived it.

Milan Pacák · Leadership coach & executive mentor

I spent thirty years running companies across Eastern Europe — building branches from scratch, leading multinational teams, negotiating with shareholders and making decisions that hurt. For the past twelve years I’ve also been coaching and mentoring leaders across industries and countries.

This combination is what I bring to the table. Including the moments no one talks about at conferences.

I work with people who want to grow and are willing to take an honest look at themselves. I listen carefully. And I say things as they are.

"My clients bring me the things they can’t say to their board or their owners. In those rooms, they have to be the strong one. With me, they don’t."

Career overview

First-hand experience.

Leadership Coach

Leadership Coaching

since 2014

Regional Vice President

ACCO Brands Europe

2017–2025

Regional Vice President

Esselte

2002–2017

Country Manager

Esselte, s.r.o.

1997–2002

Member of YPO, Young Presidents’ Organization

MBA, Rochester Institute of Technology

MSc, Czech Technical University in Prague

How I work

Individual. Confidential. Tailored.

Active listening

Every collaboration starts with a conversation, not a form. I want to understand your context and your dilemma — and to be clear about your expectations and goals.

Coaching and mentoring as needed

I don’t insist on one approach. Sometimes you need a question that makes you think differently. Sometimes you want straight feedback from someone who’s been there. I move between the two as needed.

Confidentiality as the foundation

What’s said between us stays between us. Without mutual trust, none of this works.

Collaboration built around your needs

From a one-off session to a long-term partnership — the format follows your needs. Coaching is about unlocking your potential, and your team’s.

Testimonials

What clients say

"His questions literally rewire my thinking. I value his gentle humour combined with relentless directness."

Karolína Čechová · CEO, EXX

"The brief was: help me build the company so I can be as effective as possible — and still enjoy the work. Milan delivered: honest, informal, with first-hand experience of running an international business and a positive perspective. Thank you, Milan!"

VHVítek HorkýFounder, United FoundersLinkedIn ↗

"I’ve worked with Milan for many years and he has my complete trust. Our coaching often crosses into mentoring, which I really value. Again and again he has helped me see where I can grow — and he has been a great guide through change."

KKKlára KoduaInternational Operations Director, RenomiaLinkedIn ↗

"His years in business combined with deep coaching expertise are a rare mix. I value how naturally he switches between mentoring and coaching."

MHMartin HynekManaging Director, Altavia CEELinkedIn ↗

"My year with Milan was a milestone in my career. He always knew exactly where to dig deeper and which question to ask."

MCMonika CernikovaProject Leader, BCGLinkedIn ↗

"I was looking for someone who had actually been through business. Milan fits that definition completely. Talking to him, you discover angles you hadn’t considered."

TŽTomáš ŽluvaExecutive Business Director, Publicis GroupeLinkedIn ↗

"Milan’s empathy and his ability to help me shape my thoughts clearly gave me real support. His advice on active listening helped me build strong relationships inside and outside the company."

SRSwati RanadeRegional Medical Director, APAC, MSDLinkedIn ↗

FAQ

Before you reach out

Sometimes you need a question that forces you to think differently — that’s coaching. Sometimes you want straight feedback from someone who knows the situation from the inside — that’s mentoring. I move between the two depending on what serves you best.

Therapy tends to look back and treat acute conditions. Coaching looks forward — at your potential, performance and satisfaction. If we touch on something that belongs with a therapist, I’ll tell you straight.

The standard programme runs six months: eight two-hour sessions, one every three weeks. But anything from a single consultation to a long-term partnership is possible. The goal is never dependence on a coach.

After a free intro conversation we do two sessions and decide after the second. The chemistry has to work and it has to make sense for both of us. Otherwise we don’t waste each other’s time.

It depends on the format. We’ll discuss the specifics openly in the intro conversation — no obligation, no games.

I’m trained in facilitation, but my core expertise — and 500+ hours of practice — is one-on-one coaching. I take on team coaching only occasionally.

Leadership is not about titles. It’s about a life that shapes the lives of others.