The Forged Leader
Tackling the leadership dilemma of knowing who you are…
and figuring out what comes next!
An Aussie Coach, living in the US with a passion to help business owners and leaders all over the world,
who are facing significant leadership transitions, to know who they are and what they need to do next.
Why The Forged Leader?
Because Leading Transition is Complicated!
Significant business transitions rarely fail because of poor strategy. They fail because leaders are asked to become someone they’ve never had to be before.
Whether you’re scaling a business, navigating rapid growth, preparing for succession, leading through acquisition, changing direction, or rebuilding after setbacks, every major business transition first becomes a leadership transition. The pressure is real. Expectations increase. Isolation grows. The decisions become more complex, and the person leading the business is often the one receiving the least support.
That’s why The Forged Leader exists…
Founded by executive coach and business mentor Jono Brake, The Forged Leader helps business owners, CEOs, and senior executives navigate the moments that define both their leadership and their legacy. Rather than focusing solely on business tactics, Jono develops the leader first—because stronger leaders build stronger businesses.
Using the proprietary Trail Marker Framework, leaders gain clarity on purpose, strengthen their leadership capacity, align their people, build practical strategies, and create businesses that thrive through change. The result is confident leadership, healthier organizations, and sustainable growth that lasts well beyond the current transition.
You don’t need another consultant to tell you what your business should do. You need a trusted guide who helps you become the leader your next season requires.
Because when the leader grows, the business follows.
Our Values
How We Do It
Intentional Connections
Forge meaningful connections with the essence of reciprocity, where every exchange enriches both giver and receiver.
Passion That Wont Be Silent
We are here for you but wont sit idly by if we see something holding you or your business back.
A Set Apart Experience
The whole package adds up to what we call a “set apart” experience for your family, your team and your customers.
Protecting The Family
More than family first, we protect our families, we fight for them, we wont compromise for our families.
What You Can Expect
Meaningful Insights
Jono is a mentor and trained coach. The Forged Leader understands your business inside and out bringing decades of experience to your game.
Challenging Authenticity
We get real fast! We are famous for it. We bring our authentic selves to the game so you will be comfortable to do likewise.
Great Conversations
Ultimately this is about you and your team. Relationships matter, what’s really going on in your world matters. We are here to listen.
The Trail Markers
Jono and his friend William Walker, inspired by their love for outdoor adventures, developed the Trail Markers framework to guide leaders and businesses. Just like trail markers help hikers stay on course, this proprietary framework helps leaders identify who they are and what steps to take next.
| PURPOSE | Knowing why you’re here and what guides you. |
| STRATEGY | Distilling your purpose into those important next steps. |
| PEOPLE | Knowing and inviting the right people onto the trail with you. |
| COMMUNICATION | The right conversations at the right time so your people can run with purpose with you. |
| REPEATABLE PROCESSES | Building frameworks that make it simple for others to follow and repeat. |
By focusing on both personal growth and business goals, the Trail Markers framework ensures leaders stay aligned, focused, and on the path to achieving their desired destination.
Meet Jonathan (Jono) Brake
Jonathan Brake (Jono)
Entrepreneur | Leadership Mentor | Coach
Jonathan Brake is a seasoned business leader, strategist, and coach with over 25 years of experience across six continents. From startups to multi-billion-dollar companies, Jono brings expertise in strategy, leadership, team communication, marketing and customer experience.
A Certified Predictive Index Practitioner and DISC expert, Jono is skilled in leveraging people-focused tools. He holds a Master’s in Advertising and PR, a Bachelor’s in Sociology and Political Science, and coaching credentials recognized by the International Coaching Federation.
Jono is frequently found traveling the globe meeting with and encouraging business owners, leaders and entrepreneurs.
Based in Western North Carolina in the USA, Jono enjoys hiking, mountain biking, rugby, global travel, and family life with his wife Rebecca and their adult children, Charlie and Hannah.
Trail Talk
A Blog For Business Owners and Leaders
It’s on the trails where the true conversations about leadership, life and strategy come out. Join the talk on the trails with Jonathan (Jono) Brake
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