The following is a conversation of the business coaching side of my personal coaching practice.
[TRANSCRIPT]:
Maria: Hi, my name is Maria from Noomii.com, the Professional Coach Directory. Today I’m interviewing Paul Strobl. Hi Paul! Thank you for joining me.
Paul: Hi Maria, nice to meet you.
Maria: Great to have you Paul. Can you start by describing your ideal client?
My Ideal Business Owner Client
Paul: My ideal client is a business owner or partner who is the deal-maker or has a background in business development or sales. They’re seeking a long-term confidante outside the business. While they’re into personal growth and they’ve had some progress, they’re overwhelmed and haven’t been able to implement all of their learnings.
On the business side, they’ve hit a ceiling, and they know they’re going to have to run a tighter ship if they’re going to grow. So having a sparring partner for strategy and decision making is key for them.
The Business Coaching Process
Maria: And can you tell me about the process you use to help your clients?
Paul: The process is something I’ve refined over many years. It’s a process of continuous improvement whether we’re talking business or personal. We begin by identifying the biggest issues first. Then we peel back some layers to make sure we’re dealing with the causes and not just symptoms. This is important because when we find the causes and work with them, many of the smaller problems disappear.
Once we dig a bit more, we have to remove any personal or emotional sandbags to make sure we’re seeing the issue clearly. Then comes the fun part – we get to play with perspectives. This is where the “Aha’s” happen, and the creative solutions come to light. Then the action becomes clear. We put an accountability structure in place, if needed, and then we tackle the next issue. Wash and repeat.
Results: Feedback from Business Coaching Clients
Maria: And Paul, what kinds of feedback do you get from your business coaching clients after you’ve been working with them for awhile?
Paul: There’s four main things that I hear a lot. The first one is clarity—the elimination of uncertainty on big decisions and strategic initiatives.
Number two would be perspective, getting some objectivity on the direction to go in business and in life, a thirty thousand foot view, if you will.
Number three would be balance, when your business is more efficient and it runs better without you, you have a better quality of life outside of that business.
And finally, probably the biggest benefit that is expressed to me over and over again is a relief of being heard. Having an outsider as a sounding board cannot be underestimated. Business partners or employees could be part of the problems they face, and spouses only have enough patience to hear about the business.
Though it’s cliché, it really does get lonely at the top. Knowing they have a “personal hotline” of sorts is huge.
Maria: And finally Paul, what is your background, and how did you get into coaching?
Coaching Education & Certifications
Paul: Aside from a full year of training at the International Coach Academy many years ago. I also did additional coursework in Positive Psychology and Landmark Education. I hold a Global MBA from Thunderbird, which has always been ranked as the top international business school.
My undergrad was in Anthropology because I’ve always been fascinated with human behavior, psychology, cultural influences and why people do what they do. I’m also certified with in BOSI Entrepreneurial DNA, I give talks at University MBA programs in Entrepreneurship, and I’m currently (as of January 2019) doing some work with EOS, the Entrepreneurial Operating System based on Gino Wickman’s famous book “Traction.”
I haven’t read a fiction book for over a decade because I’m somewhat fanatical about finding better tools for my clients.
Maria: Paul, Thank you so much for your time today—it’s been a pleasure.
Paul: Thank you so much!
p.s. – Do you want your life and business to be better aligned with who you are? Book a free strategy session and we’ll see if we’re a fit for working together.
Paul Strobl, MBA, CPC
Owner of Confide Coaching, LLC
Paul is a Master Life Coach for GenX and GenY executives and business owners. Originally from Houston, Texas, he has been location independent for most of his adult life. He currently resides in the Rhodope Mountains of Bulgaria near the Greek border with his brilliant wife, 13-year-old stepson (officially adopted in 2021!) and a Posavac Hound rescue.
