EEC 344: Unlocking Leadership Potential - The Power of Asking, with Gary B. Cohen

Over Gary's career, he's embarked on several entrepreneurial ventures, each offering unique lessons in leadership and business strategy. His first major entrepreneurial success was with ACI Telecentrics, a national company, that he co-founded with Rick Diamond. What was the shift like from being a successful CEO to being a coach? Can you share the key moments or experiences that drove you to make this transformation, and how it has impacted your approach? How can asking the right questions transform leadership effectiveness? Isn’t that the role of a coach? How do you know your questions are strategic? Can you talk about your process with clients? Tell us about the Ascent Model which is your leadership framework. Gary B. Cohen Over Gary B. Cohen's career, he's embarked on several entrepreneurial ventures, each offering unique lessons in leadership and business strategy. His first major entrepreneurial success was with ACI Telecentrics, a national company, that he co-founded with Rick Diamond. They grew the company from a modest beginning to a workforce of 2,200 employees and successfully took it public on NASDAQ. This experience, coupled with the challenges they faced, including the impactful decisions regarding business financing, offers practical insights into the complexities of entrepreneurial growth. Gary's latest endeavor involves coaching over 300 entrepreneurial leaders, primarily entrepreneurs, across various industries. This experience not only honed his coaching skills but has also deepened his understanding of the diverse challenges leaders face. During this time, Gary authored "Just Ask Leadership: Why Great Managers Always Get the Best Results," published by McGraw Hill. This still-in-print book reflects his belief in the power of inquiry over instruction, a philosophy Gary believes is essential for effectiveness. Excellent Executive Coaching Podcast If you have enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. We would love for you to leave a review. The EEC podcasts are sponsored by MKB Excellent Executive Coaching that helps you get from where you are to where you want to be with customized leadership and coaching development programs. MKB Excellent Executive Coaching offers leadership development programs to generate action, learning, and change that is aligned with your authentic self and values. Transform your dreams into reality and invest in yourself by scheduling a discovery session with Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC to reach your goals. Your host is Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, founder and general manager of Excellent Executive Coaching a company specialized in leadership development.