Alright, let’s talk about how leadership coaching can totally transform a small business—using a real-world example. I recently worked with the owner of 24 Hours Locksmith Tempe, a locksmith business serving Tempe, Arizona. But the focus today is how leadership coaching helped them scale their team, streamline their operations, and ultimately grow their business.
When the owner, let’s call him Jake, first reached out, his business was doing okay, but just okay. He’d built a reputation as a reliable locksmith in Tempe, but things were starting to feel stuck. The business had plateaued, and Jake was wearing all the hats—owner, technician, dispatcher, and sometimes even marketer. He wanted to expand but couldn’t figure out how to let go of some of that control or delegate effectively. Sound familiar?
So, we started with a deep dive into his leadership style. Jake is a classic hands-on leader, which is great for quality control but can also create bottlenecks. For example, he was the one scheduling every single job and felt like he had to personally oversee each new hire before trusting them with customer calls. That’s exhausting, right? And honestly, it’s not sustainable.
The first thing we worked on was defining his role as a leader. I asked him, “What does this business look like if you’re not doing everything?” That question hit hard because, like many small business owners, Jake hadn’t really thought about that before. But once we started mapping it out, it became clear, he needed to shift from being the doer to being the coach for his team.
We worked together to create processes for hiring and onboarding. Before, Jake was looking for people who could do the job exactly like him. Now, he’s hiring people who bring their own strengths to the table. And instead of micromanaging, he’s focused on training them to meet his high standards while giving them room to grow. That mindset shift alone was huge for him (and his employees).
Another area we tackled was communication. Jake had been frustrated by what he saw as a lack of initiative from his team, but when we dug into it, the real issue was clarity. His employees didn’t always know what he expected or why certain things were priorities. We worked on setting clear goals and having regular check-ins so everyone stayed on the same page. This turned his team into a more cohesive unit.
The results? Well, within six months, Jake hired two new technicians and a part-time dispatcher. He started using a scheduling app, which freed him up to focus on growing the business. And the best part? His revenue went up by 40%, mostly because he wasn’t turning away calls anymore. With more bandwidth, he was able to take on bigger jobs and even sign some contracts with local businesses.
Jake told me he feels like he’s running a business now, not just chasing it. And his team? They’re more motivated and engaged because they feel trusted and valued. It’s a win-win.
So, if you’re feeling stuck or like you’re doing it all, take a page from Jake’s book. Leadership coaching isn’t just for CEOs of giant companies—it’s for anyone who wants to lead better, grow their team, and create a business that doesn’t rely on them 24/7.
And if you’re ever in Arizona and need a reliable locksmith in Tempe, you know who to call.
