From Small Business Owner to CEO to Executive Coach

My leadership journey didn’t start in a corporate office. It started in my garage.

 

Over several decades, I scaled from a one-person operation to CEO of one of Queensland’s largest commercial energy companies — with factories in Australia and Thailand, partners across Asia, and projects delivered throughout the USA, China, New Zealand, Fiji, Japan, and the Middle East.

CLC Brian McCarthy

CLC Brian McCarthy

Along the way, I:

  • Led national operations across Australia

  • Built systems installed at the Sydney 2000 Olympic venues

  • Developed benchmark heat-pump technologies still used today

  • Won the Queensland Energy Efficiency Award for design excellence

  • Oversaw major commercial energy projects and large-scale installations

  • Helped dozens of employees grow into leaders — with many building their own companies

But before all of that, I struggled. I lacked experience, confidence, and access to the kind of support leaders have today. My turning point came 38 years ago, when a mentor and a powerful coaching program changed everything.

Why I Founded Zilzie Executive

I built Zilzie to give leaders what I never had early in my career: a clear pathway to developing executive-level influence, clarity, and decision-making before the title arrives.

Since then, I’ve guided:

900+ leaders and executives

Across 212 global companies

In more than 4,500 support sessions

Leaders come to me because I’ve lived every part of the journey — from scrappy founder to global CEO — and I understand exactly what senior decision-makers look for when elevating leaders into top-tier roles.

The Executive Influence Ascension™ Program

A CEO-led experience for leaders preparing for senior executive or C-suite roles.

What the Program Helps You Achieve:

  • Think and operate like an executive - Shift from task and performance thinking to enterprise-level judgement, decision-making, and scope.

  • Communicate with clarity, confidence, and authority - Frame ideas and decisions in a way that earns trust, alignment, and action at senior levels.

  • Build a powerful executive presence - Project calm authority and credibility so others orient around your leadership without effort or force.

  • Influence high-level decisions and stakeholders - Shape direction early by influencing how issues, risks, and opportunities are understood.

  • Lead strategically without overwhelm - Focus on what truly matters at the executive level while reducing noise, reactivity, and unnecessary workload.

  • Become the obvious successor for senior roles - Demonstrate readiness through expanded ownership, trust, and visible leadership at the next level.

Program Components

  • 1:1 Executive Coaching

    Personalised sessions focused on your behaviour, communication, presence, and mindset.

  • The Executive Influence Ascension™ Framework

    A step-by-step roadmap to build senior-level influence and performance.

  • Executive-Level Communication

    Board presentations, strategic messaging, difficult conversations, and senior stakeholder influence.

  • Leadership Performance

    Learn to navigate complexity, lead teams effectively, and operate at higher levels of strategic clarity.

  • Promotion Positioning & Career Strategy

    Identify your executive value proposition and develop a pathway to senior opportunities.

Who This Is For

  • Senior managers preparing for Director or GM roles

  • Leaders aiming for C-suite promotion or transitions

  • New executives needing to strengthen presence and influence

  • Technical experts shifting into strategic leadership roles

Expected Outcomes

Clients experience:

  • Accelerated promotion pathways

  • Increased visibility with executives

  • Higher leadership effectiveness across teams

  • Reduced overwhelm and increased strategic calm

  • Greater clarity and confidence in decision-making

  • Measurable improvements in influence and communication