In business, intentions pave no roads. Only action counts. George Sheehan wisely said success demands courage, determination, and the will to become who you were meant to be. Alexandra Sock, Founder and Group CEO of Sock Consulting Group, understands this. She knows true success isn’t just about the destination; it is about thriving on the journey, wherever you stand today. For over 25 years, she has lived and breathed global leadership and executive coaching. Her mission? To inject a vital, often-missing ingredient into the consulting world: emotional intelligence.
Is your consulting firm delivering brilliant strategies that fall flat? Are your recommendations sound, yet somehow fail to ignite action? The problem is not always logic. Often, it is emotion. Clients are not simply spreadsheets; they are human beings driven by feeling. Alexandra Sock grasps this fundamental truth. She is not just another consultant. She is a builder of emotionally intelligent leaders, particularly within the rigorous, often coldly rational consulting industry.
From Recruit to Revolution: A Leap of Faith Forged in Mentorship
“Founding my own company? It never crossed my mind,” Alexandra Sock admits. Her path began in recruitment at Jenewein&Partner in Vienna. There, Jean Francois Jenewein, a mentor of immense insight, recognized her unique talent. He saw her dedication, her knack for untangling complex problems, and her ability to find solutions where others saw only dead ends. He gave her freedom – a long leash, as he called it.
Under Jenewein’s leadership, Alexandra flourished. He observed her thrive when empowered to act on her instincts. He provided the space and the autonomy she needed. She surpassed expectations. When Jenewein transitioned his company into a narrower focus, recommending only recruitment, he urged Alexandra to strike out on her own. He knew her forte lay in broader consulting and coaching. He pushed her into the market, confident in her abilities. Armed with client relationships forged in her search projects, Alexandra launched her company. The start was not just good; it was powerful.
Challenges as Stepping Stones: Prove Your Worth, Then Lead
Alexandra established her firm in 1999, a mere 26 years of age. As a young woman advising CEOs and senior executives, she confronted skepticism head-on. In Austria, many dismissed her youth. Every meeting, every interaction became an intense proving ground, a test far more rigorous than her older, male counterparts faced. But Alexandra did not flinch. She saw each challenge not as a barrier, but as a clear invitation to excel.
She operates on a core belief: challenges are opportunities in disguise. Her success tip is not complex. It is fundamental: Believe in yourself. Give every situation your absolute best. Go all in. Persist to the finish line. She trusts in inherent good intentions. She understands that everyone, fundamentally, seeks success. Difficulties, she asserts, often stem from a failure to see or trust the positive intentions in others, a failure to recognize their untapped potential. “I am a firm believer in the inherent capabilities of people,” she states. “If you trust them, if you cultivate a safe and supportive environment for growth, progress is inevitable.”
Recognition Earned: Results Speak Louder Than Titles
Alexandra attributes her success to a fertile ground of encouragement. Supportive parents, dedicated teachers, strong friendships, and insightful leaders throughout her early career provided the bedrock. Crucially, she received valuable, critical feedback. This allowed for continuous self-awareness and constant self-reflection. “I have been fortunate,” she acknowledges, “gifted with opportunities to understand the motives of others, to adapt my approach accordingly.”
Her track record speaks for itself. Project management roles within the European Union, typically reserved for senior personnel, were entrusted to her. At Unilever, she secured international assignments previously considered beyond her reach. Jenewein and Partners accelerated her career, granting her access to major clients and rapid promotions, each new title bringing greater project ownership and impact.
“The truest recognition in my daily leadership,” Alexandra emphasizes, “is enduring partnerships. Clients who return for diverse needs, team members who remain loyal, motivated, year after year – that is the measure of real success.”
CEO Responsibilities: Strategy, Growth, and Team Elevation
Within Sock Consulting, Alexandra’s CEO role is clear: strategy and growth. She is the architect of the company’s future, responsible for charting its course. Equally vital is the development of her team. She invests time in individual sessions, and in feedback exchanges. She prioritizes enhancing the working lives of her team, ensuring they can deliver maximum value to clients. New programs, and innovative workshop designs – these are collaborative creations, forged with her team.
Externally, Alexandra is a force multiplier. She coaches CEOs and senior leaders worldwide. She collaborates with leadership teams aiming for significant organizational impact. She defines herself as “a dedicated multiplier,” channeling energy to ensure the success of her surrounding environment. Her focus is absolute: 300% commitment to positive impact.
Future Plans: Emotional Intelligence as a Core Business Habit
The future of Sock Consulting is sharply defined: embed emotional intelligence into leadership practice. Make it not a theory, but a daily habit. Equip leaders with practical, readily usable tools to integrate emotions into the still overly rational business world. Simultaneously, they are expanding their reach, targeting new demographics. They now aim to guide young professionals entering the workforce, providing vision quests and “tiny habits” training. The goal: equip these newcomers to find their footing, and maximize their impact from day one.
Sock Consulting’s partnerships span Europe, the US, Singapore, Levante, and EMEA. Expansion into LATAM and JAPAC is underway. Online toolboxes focused on emotional intelligence are established and growing. Future development includes toolboxes addressing unconscious bias and inclusive leadership – concise, impactful training nuggets for daily learning, designed for immediate practical application.
Balance: Life as an Integrated Whole
“Balance? Motivation? Simple,” Alexandra declares. “I believe in one life. Every facet interlocks, a complete puzzle.” Her business, and her family – not separate entities, but integrated parts of a whole. She began solo, then expanded through a network of partners. An accountant, CFO, IT manager, and graphic designer joined. Then came her daughter Vivienne, followed by her son Raffael two years later. Suddenly, she had a “family empire.” Parents, in-laws – a traveling support system, caring for children while she worked across the globe.
Alexandra believes optimal performance arises from life balance. When work is passion, the rigid divide between personal and professional life dissolves. For those who prefer clear lines, Sock Consulting provides that option. Team members define their own boundaries. Deadlines are transparent. Responsibilities are clear. Alexandra trusts her team’s dedication. She grants autonomy in how they achieve shared goals. “I fully trust their commitment, their capabilities, to delight clients, to drive their growth and development,” she states.
“I see myself as a frame-builder, a multiplier,” Alexandra explains. “The more room for growth I create, the better the collective outcome.” For a decade, she has successfully collaborated with part-time mothers. Flexible work arrangements, and open communication – these are not pandemic-era adaptations, but long-standing company practices. Her assistant in India exemplifies this. Working hours begin at 2 pm local time, ensuring seamless handovers. Dedication remains absolute, irrespective of physical location. Understanding, flexibility, and freedom in organizing life – these are not just policies at Sock Consulting; they are the foundation of their sustained success.
Alexandra’s motivation tip is direct: “Walk the talk. Be motivated yourself. Love what you do.” She is unequivocal: “I have the best job in the world.” Leading by example, radiating passion – this energy, she asserts, is contagious, multiplying through her team, resonating with her clients.
Her message to aspiring leaders is sharp and actionable: “Be 100% present, right now. Focus on impact in every interaction. Constantly ask: How can I maximize this situation? How can I amplify, leverage my environment?”
Alexandra Sock does not just coach emotional intelligence; she embodies it. She does not just build consulting businesses; she builds emotionally intelligent leadership, one leader, one organization at a time. And in a world increasingly demanding human connection in a digital age, her message is not just timely; it is essential. Are your consultants just calculators? Perhaps it is time to infuse your firm with the emotional intelligence edge, the Alexandra Sock edge, and watch your results transform.
