use what you’ve already got to get what you actually want
the code conversationalist
To better understand the pressures, problems and perspectives of her clients, Danielle has conducted a grounded theory research project over the past 2 years interviewing over 50 women in leadership roles across a diverse range of industries. People she spoke with included CEOs, CFOs, COOs, CIOs, GMs, senior VPs, partners, directors, senior executives and business leaders who were also parents. The majority of the women work for large well known Australian corporates and international companies.
Distilling the information, insights and themes based on confidential conversations and further research Danielle has literally written the book about the hidden code that governs our lives – the Gender Code – and has discovered how to unpack it and provide solutions to help people leverage the strengths and skills they already have to define and achieve their own version of success.
As a result of the research Danielle has also developed the QUARC framework and CIRCLE methodology. This is unique to Code Conversations ™.
my certifications
“Danielle has literally written the book about the hidden code that governs our lives – the Gender Code - and has discovered how to unpack it and provide solutions to help people leverage the strengths and skills they already have to define and achieve their own version of success”
People who are talking about us!
To better understand the pressures, problems and perspectives of her coaching clients, Danielle has conducted a grounded theory research project over the past 2 years interviewing over 52 leaders across a diverse range of industries holding honest, open conversations and building trust and connection. Distilling the information, insights and themes based on confidential conversations and further research Danielle has literally written the book about the hidden codes that govern our lives and has discovered solutions to help people make life work well.
As a result of the research Danielle has also developed the QUARC framework and CIRCLE methodology.
This is unique to Code Conversations™. Danielle’s experiences as a mother flying solo, family leader, business founder, community member and volunteer drives her to build capacity to cut through the noise, waffle and excess. She can focus on what is relevant and needed while being human and understanding what is at the heart of the issue.
She now gives presentations, workshops and 1:1 sessions to those who want to feel like who they are is enough and realise their full potential.
why have thecode conversation.
Code Conversations™ focus on women as they have a crucial role to play in all levels of leadership right now and into the future. Women in organisations who are also parents and/or carers typically bring highly sought after skills such as empathy, perspective, critical thinking, adaptability, prioritization and creativity. These women and their strengths are a huge asset to organisations and they may not be supported, nurtured and utilised right now.
If you are invested in diversity and inclusion and would like to increase the contribution of women in your organisation or you see the need to unlock the discretionary effort of your people then together we can deliver workshops and programs which will give them a constructive voice and positively impact all levels of your organisation.
the purpose ofdeciphering the code
Do you feel you are constantly making compromises and feel conflicted about work and other important areas of your life? Perhaps you have an either/or approach where you think you can have a career or family, career or love. Maybe you think you have to blend your worlds together which is hard to do.
There is a 3rd alternative which you may not even know exists.
To access this, you can navigate through the difficulties, judgment and guilt with simple yet powerful strategies:
- Question and understand where you are at right now and what your unique context is
- Understand how your context is influencing you and what message you are buying into
- Ask if it makes sense anymore
- Choose where you want to go
- Build on what you already have
- Create a new world that works for you, rather than against you
about danielle and the gender code
My name is Danielle Dobson, and I’m a speaker, coach and advisor who is on a mission to help women and men to break their Gender Code, unlock their potential and create a more fulfilling career and life. And at the same time, update the structures we all operate within to build in more fairness and respect so everyone feels like they belong.
I’m also a Lead Parent to three boys. I love living near the sea with my kids and my dog.
In a professional sense, I spent 14 years as a Certified Practicing Accountant in private practice to multinationals across 4 countries, in not-for-profit agencies, and I have a long history in the wellbeing space as a Certified Personal Trainer, Wellness Coach and now an Executive Coach and Mentor.
Sounds impressive? It’s been an ‘interesting’ adventure littered with navigating career, travel, international relocations, relationship transitions and family responsibilities.
Like many of us, at times I have been overwhelmed, exhausted and worn out. My biggest derailer is when I feel unsupported in my role as Family CEO.
Back in October 2017, I felt stuck and powerless. I didn’t think I could be the parent I wanted to be to my 3 boys and at the same time, achieve the level of success I wanted in my business, without feeling like I was failing at both.
From my work as an executive coach to professional women, I knew that I wasn’t alone in this struggle.
Many of the women I was working with felt this same tension between succeeding at work and at home. And in the process, they found it almost impossible to prioritise self-care and their wellbeing was really suffering. Most of these women shared with me that they felt frequent overwhelm, anxiety, exhaustion and some were burning out.
And this was before the pandemic!
At that time, I was in Seattle with my coach Pam, exploring my future in a three-day intensive business coaching course. And I was out of ideas, feeling incredibly uncomfortable about ramping up my business.
I was afraid of the future, because I thought it meant more incredibly hard work, incredibly long hours, family absence and burnout, not being able to do anything properly. A tough gig for a person who can’t multitask.
But I had committed to travel halfway across the world to work with Pam – a coach who I trusted to have my back. As a specialist, she was exactly the person I needed to help me find the courage, framework and confidence take the next important steps forward in my business and life.
Then Pam said a few magic words that changed everything – ‘You have got to get to know the people you want to support and coach better. What is going on for them? What are their biggest challenges? How can you help them?’
At that moment, I realised the power of conversation in realising what’s possible. I saw the faulty beliefs that had been holding me back, shaped by gender bias and societal norms about what a woman ‘should’ be and how she ‘should’ operate.
And I also saw that with my own lived experience, I also needed to seek other perspectives to gain a deep understanding of why we, as women, had these limiting beliefs and expectations, and what we could do to conquer them.
The next two years were spent intensively researching the problems, causes and solutions around gender bias and societal norms, interviewing over 50 women leaders (and a handful of men) to gain important insights, and backing this up with historical, scientific and social research. These conversations, which I now call Code Conversations™, uncovered the personal algorithms that define their lives in terms of expectations, rewards, punishments and roles.
These Code Conversations resulted in my book, Breaking the Gender Code: How women can use what they already have to get what they actually want.
Fast forward to today, and I am inspired and motivated to educate and coach others in speaking engagements, bespoke events, and my signature program, the Gender Code Ally.
This is an incredibly important time in history for women and men at work. With changing cultural norms and a focus on diversity, we have the chance to work together to get it right!
If you’re feeling inspired and want to talk to me about anything you’ve read, take the first steps and reach out to connect with me.
Strengthening Self-Leadership for Business Growth and the Greater Good
As a leadership consultant, keynote speaker, author, coach, and facilitator, I’ve dedicated my career to breaking the mould of traditional leadership, empowering senior executives and high-performing teams to decode the complexities of leadership and challenge the status quo.
With over 20 years of experience spanning five countries—including a memorable stint working on a steel mill in central Italy where I learned firsthand how to navigate tough environments (and the art of great espresso)—I’ve strengthened my ability to guide leaders through complex, high-pressure situations with clarity, empathy, and a deep understanding of the human element behind leadership.
What I Do
Through my unique approach of Exposing, Decoding, and Recoding personal, professional, and workplace codes, I help leaders:
- Uncover hidden motivators and behaviours
- Overcome self-doubt and imposter syndrome (spoiler: we all face it!)
- Strengthen team connections for greater collaboration and performance
- Align leadership with their core identity to drive business growth and personal fulfillment
As both a coach and facilitator, I create a safe, dynamic space for leaders and teams to explore their challenges, develop strategies, and communicate openly. In coaching, I work one-on-one with senior leaders, helping them gain perspective and clarity. In facilitation, I guide teams through workshops and strategy sessions to build collaboration and improve performance.
Experience
Before I started decoding leadership, I spent years immersed in corporate life as a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA), gaining valuable insights while working for global Fortune 500 companies, not-for-profits, and even navigating majority-male and male-led environments like engineering services. Oh, and did I mention the steel mill in Italy? Nothing teaches you resilience and adaptability quite like working in 40-degree heat while trying to understand Italian technical jargon!
As the author of Breaking the Gender Code, I’m passionate about helping leaders break down systemic barriers, particularly those related to gender. My clients—CEOs, CFOs, HR Directors, and boards—benefit from my deep research, corporate experience, and insights into leadership transformation. Together, we build stronger team performance, more inclusive workplaces, and business success.
As the lead parent of three teenage boys, I apply my best leadership insights every day at home, project managing the complexities of family life while navigating different personalities, dynamics, and challenges. This experience sharpens my leadership skills, from strategic decision-making to managing high-pressure situations—making me a better leader, coach, speaker, and facilitator.
I live and breathe what I preach and teach.
specialties
RETURN HERE
Time for a Shift
To create change, we must first understand the societal beliefs and stereotypes that shape our lives. By recognising these as myths, we can begin to dismantle them. This book invites you to interrogate the codes that govern your thoughts and actions, presenting a methodology for crafting your own unique code using the strengths you already have.
Facilitation of Leadership & Team Development Workshops
Building High-Performing, Inclusive Teams
Breaking Through Gender Barriers in Leadership
Workshops on Self-Leadership, Life Transitions, and Imposter Syndrome, to name a few
Keynotes
My keynotes are designed to educate, inspire, and motivate, providing actionable insights that resonate with leaders at all levels. I incorporate practical frameworks that attendees can implement immediately, ensuring they leave with valuable tools to enhance their leadership effectiveness.
Who I Work With
I work with senior leaders and executives, particularly in majority-male and male-led industries, guiding them through significant life transitions and solving business problems like communication issues, female representation, and stagnated growth. I also help organizations tackle challenges such as team dynamics, employee engagement, and leadership alignment, while cultivating inclusive cultures. My clients trust me to improve collaboration and drive high performance while adapting to and navigating professional change—all while staying true to their values and leadership style.
