Cy Wakeman
Cy Wakeman is a leadership expert, speaker, and workplace consultant focused on reality-based leadership, accountability, and reducing workplace drama. She is the author of Reality-Based Leadership, No Ego, and Life’s Messy, Live Happy. Through training and executive advising, she has influenced managers and organizations seeking stronger performance and healthier cultures.
Biography & Author's Journey
Cy Wakeman’s career emerged from a mix of counseling, healthcare administration, and organizational leadership. Her academic training reflected that breadth: a bachelor’s degree in political science from Drake University in 1987, a bachelor’s degree in social work from Briar Cliff University in 1991, and a master’s degree in health administration from Clarkson College in 1994. An early turning point came when she moved into management in the late 1980s and saw how much time teams lost to complaint, resistance, and confusion. Rather than accept conventional management habits, she began developing an accountability-centered approach that would later become Reality-Based Leadership.
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Culture, Leadership & Mindfulness
Culture, Leadership & Mindfulness
In today's volatile business landscape, technical skill alone is insufficient for effective leadership. This program is designed for managers and executives who want to combine emotional intelligence with strategic change management to build high-performance, conscious organizations.
Self-Improvement, Wellness & Leadership Bio
Self-Improvement, Wellness & Leadership Bio
In today’s high-pressure environment, true leadership requires a balance of internal resilience and external influence. This plan is designed for aspiring leaders and professionals who want to master their mental well-being while sharpening their ability to lead and communicate effectively.
Leadership, Productivity & Creative Culture
Leadership, Productivity & Creative Culture
In an era of constant distraction and rapid change, leaders must balance high-output productivity with a culture that invites innovation. This plan is designed for emerging and established leaders looking to optimize their personal focus while building resilient, psychologically safe teams.
Lead with Empathy and Confidence
Lead with Empathy and Confidence
This plan is designed for emerging and established leaders who want to balance high-performance results with genuine human connection. It bridges the gap between emotional awareness and executive authority, making it essential for anyone looking to inspire trust in modern workplaces.
Foster healthy spaces and lead with clarity
Foster healthy spaces and lead with clarity
In today's high-pressure work environments, leaders must balance high performance with human-centric wellbeing. This plan is designed for managers and executives who want to move beyond basic management to create psychologically safe, high-clarity cultures that thrive on trust and clear communication.
Master Communication, Social Skills & Zen
Master Communication, Social Skills & Zen
In an era of digital noise, the ability to connect authentically and lead with calm authority is a rare competitive advantage. This plan is designed for professionals and individuals seeking to blend high-level influence with mindful, zen-like composure.
Confident, Authentic & Approachable Pro
Confident, Authentic & Approachable Pro
In today’s competitive landscape, technical skill alone isn't enough; true impact requires a blend of psychological confidence and social magnetism. This plan is designed for emerging leaders and professionals who want to lead authentically while commanding executive presence.
Project Confidence and Authority at Work
Project Confidence and Authority at Work
Confidence and authority are essential currencies in today's workplace, directly impacting your ability to lead, influence decisions, and advance your career. This learning plan is ideal for emerging leaders, individual contributors seeking greater impact, and professionals who want to command respect and influence outcomes regardless of their formal position in the organizational hierarchy.
Community Voices
"Cy Wakeman shows leaders how to embrace personal accountability and empower others to do the same"
— John G. Miller
"Cy Wakeman shows leaders how to build workplaces with less drama and more accountability"
— Marcus Buckingham
"Cy Wakeman shows exactly how to add value in today's fast-moving workplace"
— Marshall Goldsmith
"Cy Wakeman's philosophy is important for business leaders to understand"
— Gary Vaynerchuk
"Cy Wakeman gives leaders simple tools to diffuse drama, build accountability, and deliver game-changing results"
— Lolly Daskal
"Cy Wakeman is recognized for her reality-based approach to leadership"
— Global Gurus
"Cy Wakeman presents a convincing array of real examples leaders will recognize"
— Inc
"Cy Wakeman describes a leadership philosophy that puts an end to ego-driven leadership"
— Jesse Lyn Stoner
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
