Where Do You Start?

When I explain the type of situations that established founders and family business owners find themselves where I come in to coach them, one of the questions is "How do you choose where to start?"

It's a great question.

The answer is typically: where the hottest fires are.

But, what I typically find is that "no one" agrees on how hot that fire really is.

If our organizations are having succession or growth challenges quarter after quarter, year after year...we do have to start solving the problems somewhere.

I coach in sales/marketing/business development, operations, financing, becoming an employer of choice, and founder leadership development toward them being the strategic, visionary, proactively communicative CEO that their organization, leadership team, and employees all need. Typically, the hottest evident fire is related to personnel or financing. But, "Evident to whom?" is the question.

And that's why starting with personnel questions often makes the most sense.

If you find that your organization that needs succession planning and/or has been unable to grow for years, here are some questions you can ask of not only your leadership team but of all your employees:

1. Where are the current growth problems in our organization?
2. Why do you think that?
3. What other areas of the org does this strain?
4. Who does this strain?
5. How have you addressed these strains since you first learned about this challenge?
6. When did these strains really start?

At times the order is not important, but the WWWWWH questions can be helpful.

Then, ask another leadership team member. Interview a few front-line employees and middle managers. And absolutely talk to client-facing employees.

ryan

Ryan Kauth

Ryan Kauth is a business coach for established/serial entrepreneurs and family business owners/leaders who have struggled with their nagging growth and succession challenges for quarters, years, and just way too long. His calendar is available for a no-cost virtual introductory call.