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About

Hey there! I’m Ellen. The most important thing for you to know about me is that I’m not interested in the theories behind effective leadership. I’m interested in the practical realities of how (and why) we engage with the people in our spaces in everyday interactions. Where are they not working? Why are they not working? How could we do better?

I got my start in life and became interested in how people interact while growing up in Detroit, Michigan. My mom was very engaged in our neighborhood and community, participating in block clubs, community meetings, and social justice. I went to college to study science, but realized in my first two jobs afterward that I was much more interested in the people side of things. After a transformational year in Central America, I found my way into community organizing, where I spent several years helping everyday people tell their stories in a compelling way to local decision makers in order to have a voice in their own communities.

When home was calling, I moved my young family back to Michigan to regroup and figure out what was next. My phone started ringing–former colleagues wanting me to support the leadership development component of the work. Out of that, Patnaude Coaching was born in 2005 (though it didn’t get that name until 2023).

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Over the years since, I’ve had the privilege of working with countless leaders and their teams, supporting them in finding ways to improve those everyday interactions. I’m down-to-earth, practical, and a little sweary at times. I make no claims to be perfect, or even to get it right all the time. I’m human. I see the humanity of others. And somehow, that makes it all work.

I’ve written a couple of books about our very human existence. One focuses on the ways in which assumptions damage every type of communication, and the other is about the need to remove shame from the elder caregiving conversation.

I am a Workplace Communication Expert, a credentialed Executive Coach, and certified in multiple assessment tools. Patnaude Coaching is certified as an LGBT Business Enterprise, and I have the honor of serving as a Board member for the Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce. I’m active in other local Chambers of Commerce, including serving on the Advisory Board for the Flint & Genesee Chamber. And born out of my own challenging experience caregiving, I’m a volunteer Community Educator with the Alzheimer’s Association of Michigan.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope we can connect soon.

Ellen Patnaude, Patnaude Coaching
Patnaude Coaching

About Patnaude Coaching

Ellen Patnaude founded this company in 2005 as a sole proprietor. Over the years, it has grown and evolved, working with Fortune 100 and small businesses around the globe. While Ellen is the face of the company and lead consultant, she has a team of professionals with varied skill sets who can step in to support engagements as needed. Our parent company is Patnaude Professionals LLC, which is a certified LGBT BE(R) and 100% woman-owned.

Patnaude Coaching

What Sets Us Apart?

We specialize in supporting teams to improve their everyday interactions. From reducing assumptions, to setting clear expectations, to managing conflict productively, we meet your team where they are, help them chart where they need to go, and support them to get there. Outcomes are measured in increased productivity, stronger communication, and greater accountability.

Patnaude Coaching

Ellen’s Credentials

Ellen completed her PCC-level Executive Coach certificate from the International Coach Federation and is certified in multiple assessment tools, including the AcuMax Index®, MRG’s Leadership Effectiveness Analysis LEA360® and Leadership Culture® assessments, Genos International’s Emotional Intelligence toolkit, and Equine-Guided Learning practices from Innovative Horizons.

In the Media

Podcasts

Community Spotlight with MCC

by Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea

Articles

Patnaude Coaching

Common Team Challenges: Fear of Conflict

SelfGrowth.com

Patnaude Coaching

Using Memory Stacks as Fun Icebreakers

SelfGrowth.com

Patnaude Coaching

Smile More

SelfGrowth.com

Patnaude Coaching

Look at things from the other person's point of view

SelfGrowth.com

Patnaude Coaching

Demoralizing your team doesn't work

SelfGrowth.com

Patnaude Coaching

Build Trust and Rapport: Avoid Criticizing and Complaining

SelfGrowth.com

Patnaude Coaching

Don't Make Yourself Obsolete!

SelfGrowth.com

Trusted By Corporations & Team Leaders Nationwide

Ellen At Work

Success Stories

Patnaude Coaching transforms workplace communication to build more collaborative, effective teams. Hear from clients who’ve seen remarkable improvements in their professional interactions.

What I love about working with Ellen Patnaude as a business coach is her ability to shine a light on unseen obstacles to action and bring clarity. She is an inspiring, energizing speaker, talented trainer and consultant who gives her all to her clients. 

Jayne B., Marketing Monsoon

For the past 16 years, we have been working with Ellen, whose expertise has sparked growth in colleague’s individual confidence for public speaking, deepened self-awareness through personal coaching, and encouraged a greater understanding of our team dynamics.

Isabel Quintana-Soria, HR Director, CEN-CENELEC

Ellen is a great business partner, she knows how to get the best out of a leadership team on a journey to high performing. We grew our revenue by 300% due to the breakthroughs that our Senior Leadership Team had from working with her.

JP Tournoy, CEO

Read More Testimonials

Confessions of a Chronic Assumer Podcast

In Episode 11, Ellen talks about how assumptions cause projections. This shows up in a myriad of ways, from the harmless to the deadly, and everywhere in between. Let’s start with an easier one. Think about putting clothes, glasses, accessories on our pets. That’s a projection of our emotion. How about our kids? Maybe not out loud, but do you label your kids? One is the “easy child”, another is the “difficult child”? If not your own kids, maybe you secretly apply those labels to other people’s kids? On a more serious note, what happens in your gut when you see someone who looks different from you? A different race? A different religion on display through jewelry, tattoos, clothing, etc.? What happens when we’re in these situations? What assumptions are happening in our heads? What stories are we telling ourselves about other people? How do we overcome those assumptions and stop projecting our own emotions and desires onto them? Join Ellen as she shares her own experiences making assumptions, and insights about ways to overcome them.
Episode 11: Assumptions Cause Projections
In Episode 10, Ellen wraps up the two-part mini-series talking about how assumptions affect how we think about and set boundaries. Or don’t. Because we assume we can’t. Have you ever felt powerless to say no? To a conversation, to a meeting, to a date, to a physical invasion of your space? Do you find yourself saying things like, “I have to” or “I don’t want to but I don’t have a choice?” It’s like something in your body knows at a visceral level that you should be setting a boundary, but you don’t feel like you have “permission” to do so. What happens when we’re in these situations? What assumptions are happening in our heads? What stories are we telling ourselves about what we’re “allowed” or “supposed” to do, say, think, or feel? How do we overcome those assumptions and set boundaries? Join Ellen as she shares her own experiences making assumptions, and insights about ways to overcome them.
Episode 10: How Assumptions Affect Boundaries Pt. 2
In Episode 9, Ellen kicks off a two-part mini-series talking about one form of boundaries and how assumptions can interfere with how we set boundaries, and if we set boundaries, between our public and private lives. How worried are you about whether or not people like you? People outside of your core family and closest friends. How does that impact how you show up in those relationships? Again, the ones outside of your inner circle. Has wanting to be liked, or fearing being disliked, ever influenced your behavior? If not, you’re not human, so there’s that. But how often does that happen? What happens when we’re in these situations? What assumptions are happening in our heads? What stories are we telling ourselves about what we’re “allowed” or “supposed” to do, say, think, or feel? How do we overcome those assumptions and set better boundaries in those relationships? J oin Ellen as she shares her own experiences making assumptions, and insights about ways to overcome them.
Episode 09: How Assumptions Affect Boundaries Pt. 1
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