Kevin McDaniel

What is your approach to helping clients identify and solve key challenges?I lead my clients through a process of Discovery where we define felt needs as precisely as we can. We Design a plan forward. We Execute on that plan. We debrief its effectiveness which is like another round of Discovery and we improve moving forward.

How do you tailor your coaching or consulting style to different industries?When someone says they do not like their job…98% of the time they mean they have 1-3 people at work they don’t enjoy. I focus on solving people issues which is roughly 98% of our challenges. I do this with several disciplines VOICE-based Coaching ( a process of finding your voice), Emergenetics (easy to use psychometric assessment), Choice Theory and positive psychology.

What are the most common misconceptions about consulting?I am a coach not a psychologist. My focus is moving my clients from point A to point B as quick as possible with low anxiety and more fun than thought possible.

How do you measure the success of your client engagements?We define what outcomes we are looking to achieve. Some of those are difficult to measure like decreasing stress while others can be income goals which we can easily observe.

What trends are influencing the future of consulting and coaching?Coaching is being overtaken by academia which places a very high price tag on training and drives the price of coaching engagements up. An individual who can afford it can purchase a marvelous education and not be a very good coach. If you are looking for a coach and one comes recommended to you, perhaps start with a short engagement to see what it is like to work with them.

What’s the most rewarding part of your work?I have no words to amply describe the good feelings, inner value I experience when my clients reach goals that are important to them. My bliss in life is my client’s success. Years ago I worked with a surgeon who had failed the boards several times. We designed a 6 month plan of preparation uniquely fitting his thinking and behavioral attributes. A few weeks after taking the exam he called and announced with tears that he had not only passed but blew it out. I stopped cutting the grass and we wept together on the phone. Priceless.

What skills do you think are essential for future consultants or coaches?Stop listening “to” people and start listening “for” meaning. Every compassionate plan forward depends on understanding.