Media

Download Massimo’s Discussion Topics and Sample Questions

Massimo Backus is on a mission to help one million people believe they are worthy and enough.

Like many ambitious leaders, Massimo faced early struggles with impostor syndrome and a relentless inner critic. Dyslexia was one of the main drivers for his insecurities and later, his perfectionism.

His struggles with Dyslexia led him to drop out of college and earn his Master’s degree later in life but, the practice of self-compassion helped him see that what was considered a disability was actually cognitive diversity. He recognizes the importance of self-improvement and has done the same work on himself that he asks clients to do. No leader is immune to the challenges of trying to maximize their potential.

That’s why Massimo’s book, “Human First, Leader Second,” launching in September 2024, takes the work of scholars and scientists in the field of self-compassion and distills it to make it accessible and applicable to leaders everywhere.

Facilitator, speaker, author, and executive leadership coach, Massimo Backus provides no-BS one-on-one coaching with open-minded and committed senior leaders and he runs transformative programs with organizations that are serious about change. His fifteen-plus years of experience in talent development and leadership coaching have given him a front-row seat to observe company cultures in the US, UK, and Canada, while working with 3,000+ emerging and seasoned leaders in mid-size and Fortune 500 companies including Cisco, Accenture, Slalom, Salesforce, Nintendo, Amazon and Fox Entertainment. 

Outside of coaching, he is a dynamic and powerful speaker at corporate events for these high-growth organizations. He blends the latest leadership, behavioral science, and talent development strategies to help his clients achieve lasting business outcomes. 

Massimo holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a master's in Organizational Psychology from Claremont Graduate University with professional coaching education through The Co-Active Training Institute.  

Massimo often wears suits but has tattoos and speaks from his heart. He’s an award-winning documentary filmmaker and loves to tell life’s great stories. When he’s not focused on the growth and optimal performance of his clients and teams, Massimo loves being outdoors with his family, donating his time to local philanthropic organizations, and playing the role of mentor and advocate for dyslexic youth and adults. These days he finds the most creative inspiration in his roles as father and husband.