Real Leadership Begins Within
You won’t find buzzwords or band-aid solutions here.
You’ll find emotional intelligence, radical self-awareness, and a framework that actually sticks because it’s based on who you are, not who you’re trying to impress.
We don’t start with your LinkedIn bio.
We start with your inner world, how you respond under pressure, how you regulate emotion, how aligned you feel when no one’s watching.
We built LIFTT because we got tired of seeing high performers quietly unravel behind the scenes.
They had the accolades. They had the income.
But inside?
They were exhausted, reactive, misaligned, or just numb.
Eric Thompson helps high performers lead with clarity, calm, and emotional intelligence — not ego.
After 20+ years coaching Fortune 500 executives, professional athletes, entrepreneurs, and elite coaches, Eric realized the common thread:
Most leadership breakdowns aren’t skill-based. They’re self-based.
So he created the LIFTT framework — Higher Self vs. Lower Self — to help people recognize their emotional patterns, shift their energy with intention, and show up as the leader they were meant to be.
Eric believes that what matters most is showing up as the most aligned, emotionally aware version of yourself, especially when life gets loud. LIFTT helps people stop performing and start leading from within.
It’s not fluff. It’s not hype.
It’s a grounded, real-world approach rooted in neuroscience, psychology, and lived experience.
For over 20 years, I have worked with leaders, executives, athletes, and coaches to help them achieve their potential. LIFTT Leadership emerged from a clear observation: despite external achievements, many successful individuals experience an internal disconnect.
This pattern became evident through years of coaching: we were succeeding by conventional standards but missing the fulfillment that should accompany that success.
The turning point came when I recognized that traditional leadership development focused almost exclusively on external strategies while neglecting the internal work that creates sustainable change. Technical skills and tactical approaches provide value, but true leadership transformation begins from within.
“We don’t need more polished leaders.
We need more present ones.”
— Eric Thompson, LIFTT Founder & CEO
While many leadership programs focus on mindset, LIFTT Leadership centers on something more fundamental: emotional intelligence. This is not about positive thinking or affirmations. It is about developing the ability to recognize, understand, and regulate emotions in yourself and others.
Through extensive work with high performers across industries, I have observed that emotional intelligence is the critical differentiator between good leaders and exceptional ones. It is not what you know but how you show up, especially under pressure.
The core of LIFTT Leadership is the Higher Self vs. Lower Self framework—a practical system for recognizing when you are operating from fear, judgment, or scarcity (Lower Self) and intentionally shifting to courage, compassion, and abundance (Higher Self).
This framework developed through work with clients who were technically proficient but struggled with consistency, especially during challenging times. Their performance fluctuated not because of knowledge gaps but because of their emotional state.
The Higher Self framework is not theoretical—it is a practical tool for making better decisions, building stronger relationships, and achieving sustainable performance without burnout.
While many leadership programs focus on mindset, LIFTT Leadership centers on something more fundamental: emotional intelligence. This is not about positive thinking or affirmations. It is about developing the ability to recognize, understand, and regulate emotions in yourself and others.
Through extensive work with high performers across industries, I have observed that emotional intelligence is the critical differentiator between good leaders and exceptional ones. It is not what you know but how you show up, especially under pressure.
The core of LIFTT Leadership is the Higher Self vs. Lower Self framework—a practical system for recognizing when you are operating from fear, judgment, or scarcity (Lower Self) and intentionally shifting to courage, compassion, and abundance (Higher Self).
This framework developed through work with clients who were technically proficient but struggled with consistency, especially during challenging times. Their performance fluctuated not because of knowledge gaps but because of their emotional state.
The Higher Self framework is not theoretical—it is a practical tool for making better decisions, building stronger relationships, and achieving sustainable performance without burnout.
20+ years of coaching experience with executives, entrepreneurs, and high performers
Has worked with organizations ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies
Developed leadership programs and implemented across multiple industries
Collaborates with professional athletes and sports teams on performance psychology
Created the LIFTT Leadership methodology using an evidence-based approach
This diverse experience has shaped LIFTT into a system that works across contexts—whether you are leading a corporation, building a coaching practice, or seeking personal growth.
“You don’t need more strategy.
You need a better relationship with yourSELF.”
— Eric Thompson, LIFTT Founder & CEO
My coaching philosophy centers on core principles:
Authenticity over perfection:
Real transformation happens when we bring our whole selves to our work.
Practical application over theory:
Knowledge without implementation creates no change.
Sustainable growth over quick fixes:
Lasting change requires commitment and consistent practice.
Community over isolation:
We grow faster and more effectively when supported by others.
I believe that leadership is not a position, it is a practice. And that practice begins with self-leadership: the ability to lead yourself before attempting to lead others.
While LIFTT is central to my professional life, I find balance through:
Time in nature, particularly hiking and exploring new trails
Competitive activities that challenge me to grow
Deep conversations with friends and family
Quiet moments of reflection and solitude
These experiences inform my work with LIFTT, reminding me that leadership is not just about professional success—it is about creating a life of meaning, purpose, and connection.
-Eric
My vision for LIFTT Leadership extends beyond individual transformation. Want to know how to best show up as a leader? Ready to take the first step of an incredible journey as a coach?
This is where it begins. Right here in this moment.
Join the LIFTT Leadership Course community, take the
Assessment Quiz. Reach out. Take one step forward.
I believe that by developing emotionally intelligent leaders, we can create:
Organizations where people thrive rather than merely survive
Coaching practices that create profound, lasting change for clients
Communities built on authentic connection rather than superficial networking
A culture that values inner development as much as external achievement
This vision drives everything we do at LIFTT—from our Assessment Quiz to our LIFTT Leadership Course to our Certified LIFTT Coaching Program.
If you are ready to develop the emotional intelligence that enhances leadership performance, I invite you to take the first step with our LIFTT Leadership Assessment. This comprehensive evaluation will provide insights into your current patterns and a roadmap for your development.
Leadership is a path, not a destination. I would be honored to walk alongside you on that path.
Every part of our leadership method is built to be:
Tools designed for real-life leadership use
A tested system that performs under pressure
Built to drive real, sustainable leadership change
Because great leadership is an emotional and real journey
At the center of it all?
Your ability to recognize your Lower Self (fear, shame, judgment) and access your Higher Self (clarity, calm, courage) in real time.
Self-awareness is the real competitive advantage
Emotional regulation is more important than time management
Leadership is not a position — it’s a daily practice
Your inner life drives your outer impact
Sustainable change never comes from shame — it comes from alignment
Coaches ready to build a practice rooted in results and integrity
Executives & Entrepreneurs navigating pressure, people, and purpose
Athletes who want to expand beyond performance and access peace
Artists & Creatives seeking to transform expression into impact without losing themself in the process
Humans ready to stop performing and start showing up for their life
Because when one leader gets emotionally regulated…
teams breathe easier
kids feel safer
partners get their presence
clients get better coaching.
And the ripple begins.
That’s why we do this work. We do this to change lives.
Join the Free LIFTT Community
– Eric Thompson
© 2025 LIFTT Leadership