Quest Executive Services

12/03/2024

How do you develop a good leader?

Businesses put significant effort into choosing individuals who exhibit technical skills and then often extend the opportunity for those leaders to further develop their leadership traits.

How does your company identify and cultivate mission-critical qualities in your leaders? How is a growth plan executed? In my work with various companies and individuals I’ve seen two different methods when it comes to engaging guidance for this...

Generalized - I usually get a call from an individual asking for coaching because the company offered it. I help them define what they’re looking for.

Prescriptive - I get a call from the company asking for coaching for an individual because of a specific issue.

I believe the ideal situation is an individual taking responsibility for continuous improvement, and a company joining that journey and investing in growth that aligns with company standards – with both realizing that leaders who evolve typically stay with companies that support and celebrate evolution.

At Solomon Strategic Advisors, we offer high level individual and group coaching in a spectrum of areas that foster inter and intrapersonal growth, leadership development, and business growth. Each leader co-creates their plan and we support our clients every step of the way.

For a sneak peek into what that might look like for you, please reach out to me personally for a free consultation.

11/26/2024

Growth-Focused Communication!

Communication is essential. Without it, teams can’t build the trust and relationship that is an essential element of collaborating. Solving the communication gap is key and the first step in the process when we work with teams.

Some components of growth-focused communication:

Style & Preference Awareness: As the fantastic GiANT Worldwide tool teaches; Know Yourself to Lead Yourself.

Mindset: Focus on best outcomes for both parties and stay solution-focused.

Setting: Choose an environment that is neutral and create psychological safety.

Active Listening: Summarize to clarify the point and show engagement–don’t just wait for your turn to talk!

I’m curious, how do you handle tough discussions in your organization? Share your tips below, or message me if you’re looking for help.

11/21/2024

It is a privilege to be featured in Spotlight: Oklahoma Women in Business and talk about the role collaboration has played not only in my personal career, but also in the work I do as a guide with Solomon Strategic Advisors. Take a look to learn more about my journey and the ideals that shape what we do.

It is a privilege to be featured in Spotlight: Oklahoma Women in Business and talk about the role collaboration has played not only in my personal career, but…

11/01/2024

Ask me how we can build these elements in your team!

Building a high-performing team requires intentional effort and focus on a few key factors.

Here’s what you need to cultivate:

1. Communication
Clear and purposeful communication is the foundation of any great team. High-performing teams prioritize open, honest, and consistent communication to avoid misunderstandings and ensure alignment. When communication flows freely, it builds trust and fosters collaboration, allowing team members to share ideas effectively.

2. Relationships
Strong relationships based on trust, respect, and empathy are essential to team success. Great teams understand each other on a personal level, not just professionally. This deeper connection enhances collaboration and allows team members to navigate conflict with respect and understanding, creating a positive working environment.

3. Alignment
When a team shares a common vision and direction, it creates momentum. Alignment ensures everyone is working toward the same goals, reducing confusion and competing priorities. Clarity in roles and objectives helps the team focus on what matters most and drives productivity.

4. Ex*****on
High-performing teams don’t just plan—they execute. Consistent follow-through turns strategies into tangible results. Great teams focus on delivering high-quality work, staying relentless in their pursuit of achieving their goals and driving measurable progress.

5. Capacity Management
Managing team capacity is crucial to maintaining long-term success. Great teams balance workload, recognizing each member’s strengths and weaknesses. They challenge their members while ensuring no one is overwhelmed, which helps the team stay productive and resilient.

6. Self-Aware Leadership
Self-aware leaders are vital in creating environments where teams can thrive. These leaders understand how their actions impact the team and lead with empathy and intention. They know when to push and when to support, modeling behaviors that foster trust and collaboration.

These elements combine to create a team that can achieve sustained success.

10/21/2024

When the word “conflict” comes up, we tend to identify it in extremes; we say we hate it, or we point out people who seem to love it.

But how many of us can say we’re simply comfortable with conflict?

In all the various facets of my work, I’ve seen struggles ensue when conflict arises and I’ve seen breakthroughs happen when individuals and teams become comfortable with it and make the connections necessary for true collaboration.

Let's talk about how to maximize your comfort quotient with conflict!

10/07/2024

“Influencers” get likes–on social media, and on teams where control has been exchanged for influence! Control may work in the short term–but influence is an investment that earns interest over time. Teams respond to competence and credibility that is secure enough to hear feedback and accept others’ ideas, and the leader that understands this can harness the resulting synergy in powerful ways. If you’re having control issues in your team, learning how to shift into influence is the key!

09/03/2024

Great read from The Transition Strategists laying out four building blocks for a strong family business transition.

Family business transitions are complex, especially beyond the first generation. Four key building blocks can help create sustainable family business transitions: Curiosity, Invitations, Structure, and Formal Family Business Governance.

These elements work together to preserve important relationships while positioning your business for ongoing success. 🏢👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Want to learn how these building blocks can strengthen your family business transition? Our latest blog provides in-depth insights and practical strategies.

Read full blog: https://transitionstrategists.com/four-building-blocks-of-sustainable-family-business-transitions/

08/30/2024

Change is the only constant, as the saying goes, and as a leader, it’s part of your job to create and sustain stability in the chaos that’s often caused by the day-to-day happenings in business.

Layoffs, expansion, personnel challenges, business transition, succession, strategic planning…these are all realities to be managed, in addition to the thrill of bringing innovation to your unique proposition.

As leaders–whether you’re a solopreneur, executive, or small business owner–you may have started your path for the excitement of a field or idea, but the innovation you bring is not sustainable without the tools to weather change.

An experienced coach can facilitate a plan to incorporate ongoing change management into your company’s processes, and help you lay the foundation to translate your innovation into sustained and chaos-proof productivity.

08/20/2024

Corporate budget season is here! Does yours include space for a strategic planning facilitator?

If not, here are three reasons to reconsider:

1. Your plan can be airtight on paper but lack the resources or atmosphere to execute properly.

2. An outside eye can be beneficial both for optimism and objectivity.

3. Leaders can continue to multi-task ongoing responsibilities, without worrying that anything is suffering from lack of attention.

If you’re a company going through a business succession or transition, or undergoing culture challenges, the added benefits of bringing on a strategic planning facilitator who has years of experience as a coach are a holistic view and the potential to solve for underlying issues beyond simple budgeting.

Let’s work together!

08/08/2024

Measured outcomes of psychological safety include more idea sharing, enhanced problem solving, and smoother working relationships, but the feeling produced by the ability to more freely do those things, the feeling of inclusion, of being heard, can be…a lightheartedness that isn’t often associated with the corporate world.

And culturally, that’s a win. Message me if you would like to take the temperature of your company’s lightheartedness, and turn it up.

08/06/2024

When is it okay to fail? When the process isn’t productive. When the person and the position don’t match. When the timing isn’t right. In other words…there are plenty of times when failure is not only an option, but the best thing that could happen if an idea or direction isn’t the right one. Thomas Edison is famous for saying, “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work,” and without the acceptance of failure as a part of experimentation, we wouldn’t have the discoveries brought to us by the scientific method.

But how does a leader discern when failure is a part of the process…or a pattern that’s derailing productivity?

Bringing in a change management expert in the form of a coach can confer the benefit of a fresh perspective when the path less trodden gets arduous. It’s tempting to think of engaging a coach as an extra expense, but the truth is it can be a solid investment in your success and your peace of mind.

08/01/2024

Transitioning a business’s ownership is a complex process involving discovery, planning, change management, and forethought; keeping operations smooth and value stable while handing over the reins can be a challenge for owners.

What should be a time of increased freedom and possibility can be riddled with stress…but it doesn’t have to be.

I’ve helped multiple businesses organize and execute their succession as part of a team that has a proven track record of success. The tools, methods, and processes we use are designed to preserve the legacy of the business and pave the way for positive change.