Dan

As CEO/owner, I could only see two paths: grind forever or sell everything and have nothing. Black-and-white thinking. Lise asked, "What would you like to do if you sold?" I gave trite answers; she demolished them: "That's just what everybody says. What do you actually want?" Then: "There's a third way: get someone else to run it while you do what you want." I was like, "Oh God, I hadn't thought of that. I felt trapped forever."

She also said: "Try what you fancy with your job as safety net," writing, speaking, books, podcasts. I realised I don't have to jump into the dark and stare at a kitchen table. That freed my mind for the third way. No one's said that before. Maybe nature freed me up to think, "Yeah, that's right."

Now I feel in control. I quit a lucrative partnership that didn't align: I don't care about the money. I didn't want less time with kids.

We have ongoing sessions where she challenged me again. I was only bringing my successes: "Come in the middle of problems, not just when solved." Lise highlights what's working: "You're aligned with your values, making great choices." She spots rehearsed vs. passionate voice: "Notice the gleam in your eye. Follow the excitement, not 'yes to everything.'"

She pushed me to listen to who I am and trust that for direction. Even when we're not coaching, her voice is in my head: "Lise wouldn't like that."

My advice to fellow CEOs:
Lise works on humans first, business second. She's coached enough CEOs to instantly see the patterns (partners, tax, innovation). She won't miss your context. Start with nature and continue with ongoing coaching. Ongoing coaching stores up insights. It's a journey like the dentist, regularly brushing your teeth so all stays well.

Lise + cowbells = unbeatable.

Here's some of the fantastic stuff Dan pulled off with his company Icons:
New York Times
Unofficial Partner Podcast