We recently connected with Adam Coffey and have shared our conversation below.
Adam, appreciate you joining us today. Can you share a story that illustrates an important or relevant lesson you learned in school
When I entered college, I viewed myself to be quite smart. I had done well in high school, with not a whole lot of effort and time devoted to my academic success. However, I was not prepared for the challenges facing me in my undergraduate coursework. After my first semester, I chose to reassess my intended major, not only because I didn’t find it very interesting, but also due to my somewhat bleak grades. Part of this reassessment involved discussions with an academic mentor and others who I trusted. Yet, likely the most important conversation I had was with myself. I needed to readjust the way I viewed intelligence, especially mine. I needed to work smarter, not harder. I had to look at my priorities as they related to the way I spent my time. And, I had to manage that time more efficiently, as going to school full-time and working 30 hours weekly required this. My self-conversation was rawly honest at a level I had not encountered before, and it fueled humility related to the way I saw myself. In time, I began seeing learning and curiosity, whether within formal or informal contexts, as aspirational states for anyone who wants to enjoy the good life.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I primarily work with couples and executives, providing therapy and professional coaching designed to increase emotional intelligence. Since 1991, I have enjoyed guiding others through challenging circumstances. Whether your primary partnership is marred by communication pitfalls, or your professional leadership doesn’t consistently produce the outcomes you want, I’m here to support your solutions by strengthening relationships and fostering your best. My work is very practical, often grounded in moment-to-moment awareness and how this awareness clarifies the emotions that impact what we say, do, and how we live.
Let’s talk M&A – we’d love to hear your about your experience with buying businesses.
Several years ago, I purchased a business that focused on building life skills for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder. I had two contract employees, a built-in reputation from the previous owner, and a particular niche that seemed to be connected to ongoing referrals. As a business-minded fellow, I frequently look for ways to create residual income, and I hoped that this business would provide such income with very little effort. The acquisition process was quite tedious, involving much correspondence with the previous owner, the contract employees, and even some of the frequent referral sources. Additionally, there were numerous legal things that had to be done to not only vet the business, but also protect me, should my vetting not accurately indicate what profits could emerge.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
When I opened my private practice in 1998, I was frequently involved in my favorite marketing strategy: meeting people. I didn’t view this strategy as a primary way to build my practice; instead, I focused on getting to know other professionals. Finding out what their specialties were. Asking about their interests. And, learning about the possible intersections between what they were doing and what I wanted to create. Even now, with the web-related advantages that have had a significant impact on professionalism, I still enjoy meeting with others. As an extension to this, when I meet with clients, I frequently will gain their permission to talk to others with whom they are connected. By doing so, I attempt to honor the broader social contexts that likely influence the health of my clients. Understanding these contexts often expedites the solutions I help my clients create.
Finally, I have a strong skepticism about many traditional mental-health positions; such positions are embedded in the representative three that follow: 1) I do not think that knowing the answers to “why” will frequently yield the best solutions; 2) IF mental health is related to neurochemicals, overall and lasting wellness cannot be reduced to only taking medications; and 3) Relationships that promote strengths, skills, and competency often sustain our best lives. Clearly, this list is not exhaustive, but these positions have continued to echo within my clinical and coaching reputations.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.drcoffey.net; www.adleycoaching.com
- Instagram: dradamdcoffey
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/Dradamcoffey
- Linkedin: www.LinkedIn.com/in/adcoffey
- Twitter: @dradamcoffey