It’s Not You, It’s . . ., Yes It Is You.

The coronavirus. Is your business prepared for this type of catastrophe? It’s impact on the economy, stock market, supply chain, etc. Companies that survive both the crushing wave of prosperity and the current blow to our economy tend to be resilient and have strong cultures.

Despite the thrill-ride offered recently by the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the economy continues to boom and, according to some crystal-ball gazers, will continue its strong-growth course for the rest of the decade. The booming economy means smooth sailing for all us business owners, right? Time to switch to autopilot and relax for a while, right?

Yeah, right! The booming economy is putting pressure on labor, rent, utility, and other input costs. Recruiting and retaining talent has become a cut-throat endeavor. Even without these strong-economy twists, the maxim, “If you’re not growing, you’re losing ground to your competitors” applies with a vengeance in our technology-powered marketplace. We can’t imagine resting – we’re reacting as fast as new challenges appear. Even if we weren’t over occupied with surviving the pandemic and the other day-to-day needs of running a business and had any free time, we’d be thinking about growth and value creation.

My long-time friend, Mike Butler, executive coach and owner of CEO Focus, has observed hundreds of business owners caught up in this pattern of reacting to today’s seemingly endless needs and hoping to someday take some steps to grow and create value. Mike has helped many of these owners overcome feelings of “I’m in trouble,” “I’m working too hard,” “I’m not having fun,” and “This business is my retirement, but the value is shrinking.”

In many cases, the owner is concerned because the business isn’t growing, the owner doesn’t enjoy running it, or they’ve outgrown their own capabilities. These people sometimes sell the business, but those who want to continue to grow and develop some maturity seek help from people like Mike. He says “I help people get out of the business so they can work on the business. It’s an important distinction.”

Mike’s passionate about helping others succeed. Mike started his career in the insurance industry, and he moved up the ladder quickly. While ascending, he noticed “there were a lot of bodies lying around.” The fast-track rise of the few left a lot of others behind. During his quick rise, Mike became a student of leadership and continued building his career by helping others succeed. With CEO Focus, Mike strives to help business owners and their management teams become effective leaders, build effective organizations, and create purposeful cultures that reflect the owners’ values.

Mike has the tools to help his clients and their management teams overcome reactive mindsets, be more purposeful and proactive, and reprogram decision-making so that it’s intentional and designed to get the outcomes they want. Mike points out that many entrepreneurs start with a dream or an idea about a product or service but don’t learn how to run a business or how to be a business leader. They start out doing what they love – creating that product or providing that service – and as the business grows they are drawn away from what they love, are forced to manage the business, and are expected to lead others, all without training, development or mentoring.

Mike’s process has two parts – a coaching component and a peer group component. Mike coaches clients in a one-on-one setting during which he shares with them what he’s learned in his 40-year tenure of business ownership and leadership development. He’s seen a lot, done a lot, and been through a lot. Mike’s developed a lot of empathy for what his clients are working through, and he shared that his coaching sessions tend to combine business and personal problems and solutions. “It’s all intertwined,” he says. “I’m able to bring a balanced perspective.”

Mike kicks off each coaching session by asking the client to describe how things are going, including how the client is using the tools they’ve been learning, and how they’re working with vendors, employees, and stakeholders to create the culture they want. He helps them learn how they might be holding themselves back. Mike and the client look for ways to create the space the client needs so they can see what needs to be done.

While coaching sessions provide training and expert advice, peer group meetings provide a boots-on-the-ground perspective and get-it-done discussions. Since most business leaders are lonely – there’s only so much they can share with direct reports and only so much a spouse wants to hear – monthly peer group meetings provide a useful forum, like having an external board of advisors. Peer groups discuss the issues members are facing, offer suggestions, provide feedback, and hold each other accountable.

Most of us have been taught, from an early age, to avoid conflict and “play nice.” Most of us have not learned how to navigate and resolve disagreements without being disagreeable, and the lack of these skills causes the breakdown of cohesive, effective teams. A team member’s failure to raise, consider, or discuss the unpopular idea or opinion often prevents the team from fully exploring what might be best course. Mike stresses the importance of healthy conflict resolution.

Mike also encourages developing a culture where nothing is left unsaid in decision-making meetings. This avoids “backchannel politics” or “meetings after the meeting.” Mike teaches clients to use the closing minutes of every meeting to review everything on which the participants agreed, to write down the agreements, and to confirm that everyone is on board. How much less stressful might the past week have been if, two weeks ago, one of your team members had said, “We should prepare a business continuity plan in case this coronavirus thing blows up”?

Most of Mike’s clients tell him they’ve never had similar training or learned these techniques. They also tell Mike that his training and coaching has made them better leaders and better people. One client admitted, having experienced two divorces and suffered through nine months of therapy, working with Mike had been more helpful than all the therapy.

Chances are that your business’ culture has developed over time without your intentional direction. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but your culture may not allow for the growth or goals you have in mind. Mike works with owners and their leadership teams to intentionally transform culture by creating clarity around the owner’s goals. Mike helps the owner and team members answer the questions “Who are we?” “Why do we exist?” “How do we behave?” and “How will we succeed?” Answers to these questions also help Mike and the client build cohesive leadership teams. This work takes courage and discipline, and it requires the client be committed to the process. For most clients, the journey to transformative cultural change has no end point but the initial investment takes 18 to 24 months.

Most of us are aware that there are lots of business coaches offering advice. You may not know that many coaches have never owned or operated a business. Mike recommends looking for a coach who has the background you need and who is an active listener with high emotional intelligence. A coach should understand how their words, actions, and behavior impact others. They should be able to read their audience, determine whether their message is resonating, and know how to change tactics or style midstream, if necessary.

Backed with a 40-year record of running businesses, leading teams, developing leaders, and transforming cultures, Mike’s familiar with the feelings and thoughts his clients are working through and what’s likely to get in their way and that may keep them from achieving results. He’s also been “all in” with the financial and emotional investment in his businesses. Mike knows what it’s like to risk a family’s livelihood on business success. He’s walked the walk.

Mike is attracted to clients with a strong desire to improve and willingness to be vulnerable. He says that he most enjoys helping leaders who are really struggling to change the results they’re getting. If you might want to talk with Mike (especially if you’ve suddenly got lots of free time because everything else around you has stopped), please feel free to call or email me and I’ll be honored to connect you.