Leadership is influence.Influence starts with relationships and trust.

Experience grounded in practice

François Gagnon is a leadership development specialist, executive coach, facilitator and President of Influence Leadership.

His career includes 19 years as an executive including 13 years in the Canadian Public Service, where he held senior positions in public program delivery and leadership development, organizational change and executive coaching. At the Canada School of Public Service, he led the delivery of leadership programs for all levels of management, from supervisors to senior executives.

From practice to entrepreneurship

In 2013, François founded Lead-Action, a leadership development firm that delivered more than 3,000 psychometric assessments, 700 360-degree feedback processes, 3,500 hours of leadership coaching and 600 days of training.

Lead-Action was acquired by the Institute on Governance in 2019. François subsequently served as Vice-President of Learning until 2024, leading its portfolio of leadership programs and professional development.

A global and intercultural perspective

François has designed and delivered leadership, change management and organizational development initiatives across Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.

His international work has brought him alongside senior officials and leaders working in very different organizational and cultural environments, enriching his understanding of leadership and organizational change.

Coaching, assessment & development

François trained as an executive coach with Erickson Coaching International and is currently completing a certification in team coaching.

He is an Insights Discovery Licensed Distributor and Practitioner and is certified in several other leadership, emotional intelligence, psychometric and 360-degree feedback instruments.

François holds a Master of Science in Project Management and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. Outside his professional work, François is a classically trained pianist and holds a private pilot licence.