In this episode of Leadership Story Talks, hosts Jerome Deroy and Julienne Ryan speak with Greg Smith—General Manager of FranklinCovey’s Executive Coaching practice and a leader with more than 25 years of experience developing executives across global organizations. Greg has supported leaders at Walmart, Deloitte, Starbucks, FedEx, Disney, and many others, and today his practice delivers an extraordinary 97% coaching success rate. Greg begins by sharing a defining moment early in his career: a CEO’s deceptively simple piece of advice—“If you want to fly like the eagles, hang out with the eagles.” What made it powerful wasn’t the phrase itself, but who said it and the way it awakened Greg’s belief in aligning himself with excellence. That shift in mindset still shapes how he approaches leadership development today. Throughout the conversation, Greg breaks down why executive coaching is no longer a perk but a strategic imperative—especially in a landscape defined by rapid change, restructuring, and rising complexity. He walks through FranklinCovey’s four-phase coaching methodology, shares a striking example of a leader whose newfound courage saved the company $20 million in one meeting, and explores why human connection, empathy, and trust remain irreplaceable even as AI becomes more deeply integrated into leadership work. You’ll Hear: “Fly With the Eagles” – How one comment from a founder shifted Greg’s trajectory by redefining what—and who—he aligned himself with. Coaching as a Strategic Lever – Why organizations facing disruption increasingly rely on coaching to accelerate capability and navigate complexity. The 4-Phase Methodology – Alignment, data-driven insight, focused coaching, and sustainable transition—and why this structure produces measurable results. Courage in Practice – How a single leadership intervention, rooted in new skills, averted a multimillion-dollar loss. Human Leadership in an AI Era – Why the future belongs to leaders who cultivate empathy, curiosity, trust, and adaptability. Preparing for What’s Next – How CEOs, COOs, CHROs, and talent teams can rethink development to meet tomorrow’s challenges. Whether you’re an HR leader, an executive, or a coach yourself, Greg’s insights offer a clear, actionable roadmap for strengthening leadership in times of uncertainty—and for keeping humanity at the center of growth.
Resources
Coaching | FranklinCovey
LinkedIn — Greg Smith
Forbes Coaches Council — Greg Smith
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