I have sat in the seat.

The conversation that changed how I lead.

A mentor had me take a personality assessment. When he saw the results, he said, “You have the profile of a CEO, but you had better have a relationship-driven right hand, because you will leave bodies behind.”

He was right. I was chasing results, and connection was an afterthought. That conversation changed how I lead and is the root of how I coach.

Change the story, change the leader.

I spent my early career trying to be the best and doing it alone. It worked on paper, and it cost me real connection with my teams. Once I saw that, I wanted to help other leaders see it sooner than I did.

Today I’m a Vistage Chair and executive coach. I help lead the Alliance, a coaching community for business owners, and work with rising leaders on an ongoing basis. I coach the whole person: business, mind, body, and spirit.

Thomas, beyond the work.

I’m a husband and a dad to three young kids, and I coach their youth sports teams. When work gets heavy, I get outside: a walk, a fishing rod, anything with sunlight and water.

I’m on the leadership team of First Tuesday and co-host Muddy Waters Clear Vision, interviewing Louisiana entrepreneurs about leadership and community. I want my kids to look at Baton Rouge at 18 and see a place worth staying in.