Client Stories: Entrepreneur Coaching
Alone at the Top
A lawyer by training, but an entrepreneur by nature, Allan founded a successful finance company, which he's grown consistently over a period of 35 years. Committed to his people, he treated his staff well, provided generous benefits, and shared the profits. He surrounded himself with competence in each functional area: sales, operations, technology, etc., and gave people plenty of room to stretch and grow in their roles. Not surprisingly, he was rewarded with fine performances. Yet with the continually growing business Allan faced more complex issues: organizational changes, leadership style, power struggles, personnel decisions, and succession planning to name a few.
Without the resources of a human resources department or internal consultants, Allan saw the value of a coach and called, not because he needed answers, but because he needed to explore options. Allan needed a coach who would get to know his business, ask the right questions, and be available on an as-needed basis.
Allan saw himself as "an independent thinker and a private person," and coaching gave him "a place to talk through the problems." In our coaching, we affirmed the business goals and Allan's values. Then we tried on scenarios and examined trade-offs.
As Allan's business changes and grows, he knows he has a coach he can call to listen, support and help him arrive at his own truth.
You make it easy for someone like me to talk through the problems. You're someone whose judgment I trust. You're knowledgeable about people; and you're a sound thinker who makes sense.
There are times when I can't discuss certain problems within the organization: they may relate to the senior management people; therefore I can't talk to them. Or there may be a company-wide concept, and I know how the company feels but I don't know if it's the right way. In those cases it's better to have an independent person to talk to, someone who's not bringing anything to the subject except good common sense and knowledge of people.
There's always an answer, maybe more than one, and by talking it over with you I'm able to come to a good solution.
—Founder, Finance Company