My story

Hello, I’m Shawn. It’s nice to meet you.

I have a confession to make. I have a love/hate relationship with leadership. I love the opportunities that being a leader can provide. Great leadership is powerful, and momentous events in our history were accomplished through the guidance of great leaders. But leadership is difficult. Unfortunately I have seen (as I’m sure you have) too many people who abuse or neglect their responsibility. Other times, the burden of leadership is too heavy and people with great leadership potential give up. Leadership is an amazing opportunity, but to use Spider-Man’s famous quote, “With great power comes great responsibility.”

I have one more confession to make. I am a coach at heart.

But not a coach in sports who focuses on traditional wins, losses, and the scoreboard. My “wins” are when people and organizations reach their potential and accomplish their goals. My “losses” are when I see potential being wasted or underutilized. Throughout my leadership journey, I have met so many people who have the potential to lead effectively. They just need a little assistance to get there. Maybe you are in that place right now.

My passion for equipping other leaders is due to the coaching and guidance I received along the road of my own leadership journey. I can remember my first leadership role at the age of 17. I was a senior in high school and just named captain of our basketball team. I had no clue how to be a leader. I thought leadership was about titles and positions and getting extra privileges. Plus, I thought it was cool that I got to talk with the referees and the other team’s captain at half court before the start of the game.

My perspective of leadership may have been skewed back then, but thankfully I had other leaders come alongside me and help refine my definition of leadership.

Since those early days of leadership, I have received many opportunities to lead organizations like Pine Cove (Camp Director), Hawaiian Falls Waterparks (General Manager), and Typhoon Texas Waterparks (Director of Organizational Development). These professional roles, coupled with so many other leadership experiences (such as coaching youth sports, working with college students, and speaking at events), have shaped my leadership ability.

When I look back over this journey, I’ve had seasons where I felt very competent as a leader and others where insecurity got the best of me. I have experienced successes and failures, but every one of them provided me with leadership skills and key lessons that guided me throughout the years.

That’s why I created this company: to use the lessons I’ve learned to help equip you and your leadership team for maximum influence. And to provide leadership tools that will help you make a difference in the lives of the people around you.

I think the most effective leaders win at home first and that helps them have successful influence at work. Which is why I’m so grateful for my beautiful wife, Jen. She consistently encourages, challenges, and inspires me to be the best version of myself I can be.

When we’re not helping leaders, Jen and I enjoy spending time with our family and taking our English Springer Spaniel, Rudy, on long walks. I also love sports, both watching them and playing. Since I am from the New Orleans area in Louisiana, I am a huge Saints fan (Who Dat)! And I enjoy playing basketball, golf, and fishing (when the weather is nice).

I look forward to walking alongside you and your leadership team as you embark on your leadership journey. Make sure to check out our leadership training sessions at Your Leadership Coach.