Why Every Growing Company Needs a Leadership Development Coach

Growth sounds like a good problem to have, until the cracks start showing in how your managers actually lead. New hires pile up faster than onboarding can keep pace, decisions bottleneck at the top, and the people you promoted for being great individual performers suddenly have to lead teams — a skill nobody taught them. That's usually the exact moment a company realizes it needs outside help.

Why Does a Growing Company Need Outside Leadership Support?

A motivational keynote can light a fire for a day. What actually closes that gap long-term is ongoing, structured support that sticks around past the applause.

What Does a Leadership Development Coach Actually Do?

A leadership development coach works one-on-one or with a team over weeks and months, not just a single session, to strengthen the specific skills a leadership role demands: decision-making under pressure, delegation, conflict resolution, and clear communication. Rather than a generic curriculum, the work is built around your organization's actual goals and adjusted as challenges shift. The emphasis stays on practice, not theory, so skills carry over into real meetings and real decisions rather than staying confined to a workshop room.

When Should a Company Bring In a Leadership Development Coach?

Most companies wait too long to bring in coaching support, usually until a specific problem forces the issue: a high performer who can't delegate, a team that keeps missing deadlines, or a new manager who's drowning six months into the role. The better time is earlier, before those patterns calcify into how your organization operates by default. Coaching brought in proactively tends to produce stronger results than coaching brought in as damage control after a resignation or a blown project.

How Is a Leadership Development Coach Different From a Mentor?

A mentor typically shares their own path and advice based on personal experience, which is valuable but isn't structured around measurable progress. A leadership development coach is different: it's a defined relationship with specific goals, regular check-ins, and accountability for applying what's discussed between sessions. Some leaders benefit from both at different points, but conflating the two often means a company ends up with informal advice instead of the structured skill-building it actually needed.

What Results Can You Expect?

Results vary by organization, but the pattern that shows up consistently is fewer repeated mistakes, faster decision-making, and managers who handle conflict directly instead of letting it fester. Teams led by someone who has gone through structured coaching tend to report clearer expectations and less turnover, since much of what drives people to quit traces back to poor management rather than the work itself. None of this happens instantly; it builds over a period of consistent engagement, not a single session.

How Do You Choose the Right Coach for Your Team?

Choosing the right fit matters more than choosing the most credentialed name available. Look for real leadership experience behind the coaching, not just a certification earned without ever having led a team under real pressure. Ask how sessions are structured, what a typical engagement length looks like, and whether the approach adapts as your organization's needs change, rather than running a fixed program regardless of fit.

If your growth has started exposing gaps in how your managers lead, that's usually a sign worth acting on rather than waiting out. The organizations that handle growth best tend to be the ones that invest in leadership capability before it becomes an emergency, not after.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a leadership coach cost?

Rates vary widely by experience and format, typically ranging from around $150 to $600 or more per hour depending on the coach's background and whether sessions are individual or team-based. Ask for a clear quote based on your specific engagement rather than comparing a single average figure.

What's the difference between a coach and a mentor?

 A mentor shares advice based on their own experience, while a coach works through a structured process with defined goals and accountability, focused on building a specific skill rather than offering general guidance.

How long does leadership coaching typically last?

Most engagements run several months to a year, with regular sessions spaced out to allow time to practice and apply what's discussed before the next check-in.

Can leadership coaching work for small businesses, not just executives?

Yes. Coaching is often associated with C-suite executives, but small business owners and first-time managers frequently see the biggest relative improvement, since they're usually leading without much formal training to begin with.

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We Remember

This past Friday, we remembered what happened during 9/11 over 25 years ago.

Some of us, like me, were still on active duty and remember the impacts we faced as we embraced change.

We remembered the wake-up call that we must be more vigilant and not take things for granted.

We remembered exactly where we were and what we were doing when the two planes hit the Twin Towers.

But what about the people who are reliving the scenario in their minds both in New York and the Pentagon?

Do we remember to pray for them and their families?

As I thought about what I wanted to write about this week, I focused on remembering our past and preparing for the future.

Those who never experienced that tragic day have no idea what we remember: that time was lost from our lives.

They have no idea why we go through the various procedures at airports or when entering military bases.

However, there are sometimes things that we must also remember regardless of the world situation.

I’m also aware that we take some things for granted and forget them because they may not seem important.

“The enormity of what happened on Sept. 11, 2001, and the aftermath has had a profound impact not only on the physical health of so many, but their mental health as well.”

9/11 had a profound impact on the mental health of tens of thousands of first responders, doctors say – CBS New York

The psychological effects of 9/11, in my opinion, are often forgotten, and we need to remember that many are suffering and need to be remembered in our prayers.

I would ask you to remember that we are a nation that does not always remember our past.

“A nation which does not remember what it was yesterday, does not know what it is today, nor what it is trying to do. We are trying to do a futile thing if we do not know where we came from or what we have been about.”  ~  ― Woodrow Wilson

Today, I challenge you to reflect on why we need to remember certain things in our lives, especially those who lost their lives 25 years ago on September 11, 2001.

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/we-remember/

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Forever Grateful

This past week, I was forever grateful to attend my second Military Influencer Conference.  The location was Tampa, Florida.

While that might not mean much to you, I witnessed history.

Although I couldn’t attend the ceremony in Tampa at the Special Operations Memorial with Major Capers, a Medal of Honor Recipient, I met him in person the next day and got his book signed.

https://youtube.com/shorts/jQf8iHl_b8k?is=lBJFszQv_XKmv3z4

Last year I took pictures with him in Atlanta and at the Mighty 25 Gala.

I’m forever grateful for the BLK OPS team that went the distance in this historic moment.

Major Capers was one of two Marine Corps Legends recently awarded the Medal of Honor and inducted into the Hall of Heroes.

https://www.marines.mil/News/News-Display/Article/4521240/two-marine-corps-legends-awarded-medal-of-honor-inducted-into-hall-of-heroes/

The Iron Major: James Capers Jr.’s long road to the Medal of Honor

https://www.wearethemighty.com/history/the-iron-major-james-capers-jr-s-long-road-to-the-medal-of-honor/

On September 24, 2026, during the MIC, a special session entitled “Honor Delayed” featured Major Capers and other dignitaries.

Those dignitaries included Christopher McPhee (Secretary, BLK OPS); Manny Piñeiro (Chief Operating Officer (interim), USO Arlington, Virginia Founder & President, Making Time Count, LLC); and Benjamin (Ben) Lloyd Crump, an American attorney who specializes in civil rights and catastrophic personal injury cases such as wrongful death lawsuits.

As an audience member listening to all four men’s conversations, along with the moderator, Richard Brookshire, I found it truly time well spent.

Richard is part of the Black Veterans Project.

About Us | Black Veterans Project

Notably, Ben Crump said President Trump wanted to erase Dorie Miller’s history. Many of us know that Doris “Dorie” Miller was a U.S. Navy sailor, the first Black recipient of the Navy Cross, and a nominee for the Medal of Honor. Miller, a mess attendant second class aboard the battleship USS West Virginia, helped carry wounded sailors to safety during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The Navy announced that the next American aircraft carrier will bear the proud name of USS Doris Miller, which is now in production.

Column: The USS Doris Miller is America’s aircraft carrier. We should never give it up. – Daily Press

So much of our history has been erased by the power of the pen, and I pray this doesn’t happen with Dorie Miller.

Over the last two-plus years, I have followed and listened to various documentaries produced by BLK OPS and am forever grateful and honored to see their commitment pay off with Major Capers finally receiving his Medal of Honor.

During this year’s Mighty 25 celebration, I heard the Guest speaker say, “Influence without impact is just noise,” followed by, “The best honors are treated like fuel to keep going.”

When I think about what it took for Major Capers to earn his Medal of Honor over 50 years later, I know several individuals were fueled to keep going until it was done.

That is why today’s blog title, “Forever Grateful,” resonates with me this Monday morning.

Today, I challenge you to reflect on something you are forever grateful for this past week.

“To all those broken or hopeless, I have learned this: Be grateful for every single person who was part of your story. The ones that hurt you. The ones that helped you. The ones that came, and the ones that left. They all taught you. Don’t think for a moment that any of it was random. There are no oversights with God. Only perfectly crafted chapters in each unique journey.”  ~Yasmin Mogahed

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/forever-grateful/

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Words

This past week, while listening to Pandora, I heard a song I hadn’t heard or paid much attention to.

It immediately caught my attention.

The song is called “Words” by Donald Lawrence.

Words LIVE · Donald Lawrence presents Music & Arts Global featuring Blanche

The song “Words” by Donald Lawrence. – Search

I am often reminded of the word’s others speak to me.

I’m also aware that words have power.

Many of us grew up learning the traditional nursery rhyme: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”

Often, I hear people create a self-fulfilling prophecy with their words.

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy In Psychology: Definition & Examples

As someone who has studied psychology, especially Self-Efficacy as taught by Albert Bandura, I’m humbled to understand the power of words and their effects.

Self-Efficacy: Bandura’s Theory Of Motivation In Psychology

How we speak to ourselves matters.

If we say we can’t do it then we can’t do it.

Why does how we speak to ourselves matter?

What self-talk are you using to sabotage your life?

Self-Talk: How You Do It Matters a Lot | Psychology Today

Our words also tie us to our character, who we are.

Character is an important part of who we are. It shapes our actions, thoughts, and how we treat others.

Therefore, when we use our words out loud, our character is on display for all to see.

The Psychological Power of Words | Psychology Today

Today, I challenge you to reflect on the words you use in your conversations and in your inner voice through self-talk.

What are you saying that helps or hurts you in becoming the best version of yourself?

I leave you with four quotes about words, and maybe one will resonate with you more than the others.

“With the right words, you can change the world.”  ~Walt Whitman

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”  ~Mother Teresa

“Words matter. They can define who you are and who you can become.”~ Brené Brown

“The words you speak become the life you live.” `~ Lisa Bevere

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/words/

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The Battles We Fight

A few weeks ago, as I sat in the nail salon while waiting for my wife to get her pedicure, I had an epiphany.

The people who owned the Nail Salon were in deep chatter in their native tongue.

As I tried to figure out which language they were speaking and looked around the shop for clues, I realized they were all Vietnamese; I immediately thought about the battles we’ve fought and are still fighting.

For me, it was a humbling experience, as I wore my military hat that stated I was a Gulf War Veteran.

Although I didn’t serve in Vietnam, my father did, and I came in just as the war was ending.

I often wonder what other nationalities think of Americans.

We have many foreigners who have prospered and broken the code to success.

However, in that moment of all the chatter that was going on back and forth subconsciously, I was thinking it had not been that long ago since the Vietnam War ended.

I know some are unaware of when the Vietnam War ended, which was on April 30, 1975.  I had already joined the military in June 1974.

I was able to hear some of the war stories as a new recruit and witness the things we don’t talk about today.

Vietnam War | Facts, Summary, Years, Timeline, Casualties, Combatants, & Facts | Britannica

However, I have come to realize that many are still reliving the Civil War that ended in 1865 with the surrender of the Confederate Army.

When and How Did The American Civil War End? | History Hit

Bing Videos

I’m somewhat reminded of the words Abraham Lincoln said to Ulysses S. Grant that are still happening today: “Politicians, not Generals, will set the terms of peace.

As we look at a nation that remains divided, “The battles we’ve fought” are still being fought.

Understanding it’s football season, we even have a Blue and Grey Bowl.

The Blue-Grey All-American Bowl took place at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Raymond James Stadium last year on January 27, 2025, and was broadcast on ESPN’s family of networks

This year, the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl is in Dallas, Texas, on December 21, 2026, at the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium (TX).

All-American Bowl Schedule – Blue-Grey Football High School All-American Football Games and Combines

Even at our youth level, today’s players are being prepped for the battles ahead as they prepare for scouts and college football.

Ironically, various schools will not teach anything about Critical Race Theory (CRT), yet the students are learning about it on the football fields.

Many understand the consequences of teaching CRT and remain focused on securing school funding, a measure introduced by the state legislature under the current administration.

Trump Signs Orders to Defund Schools Teaching CRT and Promote School Choice | NTD

In a few weeks, I plan to be in the presence of a Medal of Honor recipient.  Major James Capers Jr., as I prepare to attend my second Military Influencer Conference this year in Tampa, Florida.

James Capers Jr | Vietnam War | U.S. Marine Corps | Medal of Honor Recipient

I met Major Capers last year at the 2025 Military Influencer Conference, during the MIC-MIGHTY 25 Gala in Atlanta, Georgia.

So, when you think about “The battles we’ve fought,” just know they are continuous if we want them to be.

“Soldiers generally win battles; Generals get credit for them.” ~ Napoleon Bonaparte

“Part of the happiness of life consists not in fighting battles, but in avoiding them. A masterly retreat is in itself a victory.”  ~ Norman Vincent Peale

Today, I challenge you to reflect on the battles you’ve fought.  The question is, are you still fighting them?

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/the-battles-we-fight/

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Huntsville, AL Businesses: Book a Motivational Speaker Who Actually Knows Your Industry

Huntsville's business community is different from a lot of mid-size cities. It's anchored by aerospace, defense, and a fast-growing tech sector, and that changes what actually works on a stage in front of your team. Generic motivational content lands flat here. Here's what to look for instead, and how to avoid booking the wrong fit for your event.

A speaker who's worked with engineering-heavy, technically-minded audiences understands that Huntsville teams respond better to concrete frameworks than abstract inspiration. Someone unfamiliar with the region's pace and culture often defaults to a generic keynote that could be delivered anywhere, and it shows within the first few minutes. Local familiarity isn't a nice-to-have; it's the difference between a talk that resonates and one that's forgotten by the following week.

What Should You Look for When Comparing Motivational Speakers in Huntsville, AL?

When comparing motivational speakers in Huntsville, AL, look past the highlight reel and ask about substance: does the speaker offer a specific, teachable framework, or just an hour of high energy with no follow-through? Ask for examples of past corporate audiences similar to yours, and request a full clip from a live event rather than a polished sizzle reel that only shows the best thirty seconds. A speaker with real leadership experience, not just stage experience, tends to bring content that holds up under scrutiny from a technically-minded audience used to asking hard questions.

How Much Does It Cost to Book a Motivational Speaker in Huntsville, AL?

Pricing varies widely based on event length, audience size, and whether the engagement is a single keynote or a full workshop day built around hands-on practice. Ask for a clear breakdown that includes travel, any materials, and follow-up resources, rather than a single flat number, since hidden costs are the most common source of budget surprises after booking. Local speakers based in the Huntsville and Madison area often reduce travel costs considerably compared to a national bureau flying someone in from out of state.

What Questions Should You Ask Before Booking?

Before committing, ask what the speaker's core message is in a single sentence. If they can't summarize it clearly, your audience likely won't either, no matter how much energy they bring to the room. Ask how they customize content for different industries, what their typical audience size looks like, and what happens if you need to reschedule close to the event date. A speaker who answers these directly, without vague marketing language, is usually the safer bet for a corporate budget.

How Far in Advance Should You Book a Motivational Speaker for a Huntsville Event?

Most experienced motivational speakers in Huntsville, AL get booked out several weeks to a few months ahead, especially around common event seasons like Q1 kickoffs and year-end conferences. Reaching out early gives you more flexibility on date and format, and gives the speaker enough time to properly tailor the session to your team rather than reusing a generic deck on short notice because nothing else was available.

What Makes a Local Speaker Different From a National Speaker Bureau?

A national bureau matches you with whoever's available and fits your budget, often someone who has never set foot in Alabama and has no reason to understand its business culture. A local speaker brings firsthand understanding of the Tennessee Valley business community, from Huntsville's aerospace and technology sector to the region's broader corporate base, and can build that context directly into the session rather than bolting on a few local references at the last minute.

The right fit isn't necessarily the most famous name, it's the speaker whose experience and delivery actually match your team and your goals. Take the time to compare a couple of options directly, ask the questions above, and trust the answers more than the promotional copy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to hire a motivational speaker? Costs vary based on event length, audience size, and travel requirements. Ask for an itemized quote rather than a flat number so you know exactly what's included before you commit to a budget.

What's the difference between a motivational speaker and a keynote speaker? "Keynote speaker" describes the speaking slot itself, while "motivational speaker" describes the content style. A keynote can be motivational, educational, or industry-specific depending on who's delivering it and what the event calls for.

How do I find a motivational speaker for my company? Start with your event's specific goal, then look for speakers with relevant industry experience and verifiable audience feedback, rather than choosing based on name recognition alone.

How long should a motivational speaker talk? Most corporate keynotes run thirty to sixty minutes, though workshop-style sessions can run several hours depending on how hands-on the content is and how much practice time is built in.

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Knowledge and Wisdom

I have written about wisdom before; however, the question is: what do knowledge and wisdom mean to you?

Today, with the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) becoming more prevalent, what does wisdom mean to you?

What is each one of us doing to increase it and learn from the wisdom of others?

Some of it is a knowledge transfer to our youth for those who want to listen.

Some of it is being poured into by others attending conferences and learning new things we did not know.

For all practical purposes, let’s use the word metacognition.  Merriam-Webster defines it as “The awareness or analysis of one’s own learning or thinking processes.”

METACOGNITION Definition & Meaning – Merriam-Webster

As a lifelong learner, I’m still working every day to acquire new information I was either numb to or didn’t know existed.

We are all an open book.  “When we live our life as if it is an open book, we are free in body, mind, and spirit and allow anyone to read from our pages.” — Unknown

I remember hearing a homily about being a “Living Letter.”

It’s something that I strive to be as I share my knowledge and wisdom with others.

2 Corinthians 4: Living Letters | Ken Boa Reflections

Part of what I have learned over the last three years is a deeper understanding of both my faith and the wisdom packed within the Bible.

I don’t profess to be a Bible scholar by any means; however, what I know today is light-years ahead of what I knew three years ago.

Sometimes we must be intentional in learning more, and that is what I have done over the last three years.

If you have ever read “The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz and Janet Mills,” it’s this wisdom that I continue to learn and dream from as I search for new knowledge and wisdom.

Many of us discriminate against what we want to learn and dream about, or against what we perceive as worth knowing.

Although my parents are no longer on this earth, the life lessons they imparted to me are and remain a powerful insight into who I am today.

It’s that wisdom and knowledge that make me who I am.

Each of us has the freedom to learn once we leave the house as we strike out in our adult lives.

To me, there is so much we can learn from the wisdom that is yet unknown or untapped.

Years ago, I converted to Catholicism and found myself with the wisdom to understand the word “judgment”.

It’s within the specific word that I found out about the poison we put on others and ourselves.

It’s poison when we judge others and feel the need to judge them.

Today, the wisdom and knowledge of understanding that being a living letter is not about judging others and reading have helped take my wisdom to another level.

My question to you is: how has your search for knowledge and wisdom turned out, and what does it mean to you?

I’m well aware that each of us has blind spots we can’t see, yet what do others see in you when they ask for your opinion on something?

I’ll close with a specific reminder that stays with me when I’m attending any social or conference event and talking with people for the first time.

It’s having the wisdom to speak on any topic, or at least to know something about it, as a sign of being well-read.

Although I don’t profess to be a know-it-all, growing up, some adults would tell me, “I’ve forgotten more than you know,” which was a driving factor in learning more than the person I was speaking to.

When I hear those words, it’s a reminder that there is more to learn.

Marcus Aurelius consistently stressed virtues like self-control, patience, fortitude, and wisdom.

“Knowledge alone is not power; it becomes power only when applied effectively through action, judgment, and influence.”

Knowledge Is Not Power | Conversational Leadership

Today, I challenge you to consider what knowledge and wisdom mean to you. Are you passing it on to the next generation, or are you just living and allowing your wisdom to shrink or atrophy?

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/knowledge-and-wisdom/

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