About Andrew Tallents

How did my early life shape my leadership?

I grew up on a council estate in Manchester. When I was 15, my father was working in Saudi Arabia and my mother was struggling with her mental health, so I had to balance school with responsibilities at home. It taught me responsibility and resilience, and it shaped how I lead.

How did my career begin?

I was the first in my family to go to university, and I excelled quickly in executive search. But the pace took its toll on my personal life, and I went through a divorce and a period of addictive behaviours. It showed me how closely personal trauma and professional challenges are linked, and it made me rethink my priorities.

What was the turning point?

I decided to put my wellbeing alongside my career, and moved to a local executive role with a better balance. That change let me explore new paths, and I found I wanted to help other leaders make a similar shift.

Why did I found The Tallents Partnership?

A long-term mentor inspired me to found The Tallents Partnership in 2017. I combined my executive search background with a growing interest in coaching, and trained with the Academy of Executive Coaching, Marshall Goldsmith and CRR Global.

My coaching centres on aligning personal and professional aspirations, guided by questions such as “Who am I?” and “Why am I here?”

What do I do today?

I work with CEOs and Founders, anchored in self-leadership, presence and mental fitness. I especially enjoy supporting successful leaders who have experienced childhood trauma, helping them understand how their past shapes the way they lead.

That led to my book Self-Coaching for Leaders and my weekly podcast Confessions of a Successful Leader. I also speak at leadership events around the world.