We recently connected with Keith Trost and have shared our conversation below.

Keith, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

I would admit I wish I had started my business sooner versus later. I was in several companies with a brother-in-law, we were not on the same page, and I was unhappy most days, yet I wouldn’t take the leap to start my coaching business. Then, in late 2016, the brother-in-law did a hostile takeover, and I was out. My future had become accessible, and in 2017, I flew to Detroit to join a group of entrepreneurs who facilitated the implementation of EOS® (Entrepreneurial Operating System), and I became a Professional EOS® Implementer. I quickly became a Certified EOS® Implementer in my first full year. Fast forward to March 2020, and COVID hits; becoming dissatisfied with increasing demands and unfriendly treatment of me and other Implementors, I chose to leave EOS®. My mentor offered me the opportunity to join Pinnacle Business Guides®, and I became one of the first two Founding Members. Joining Pinnacle Business Guides® has allowed me to meet my clients where they are and be the maverick entrepreneur I have always wanted to be. If I had started sooner, I would have had more opportunities to help more business owners not live the life I had!

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?

Starting in 2017, I flew to Detroit to join a group of entrepreneurs who facilitated the implementation of EOS® (Entrepreneurial Operating System), and I became a Professional EOS® Implementer. I quickly became a Certified EOS® Implementer in my first full year. Fast forward to March 2020, and COVID hits; becoming dissatisfied with increasing demands and unfriendly treatment of me and other Implementors, I was offered the opportunity to join my mentor as he launched Pinnacle Business Guides®, and I became one of the first two Founding Members. Joining Pinnacle Business Guides® has allowed me to meet my clients where they are and become what I have coined ‘Your Outcome Guide.’ This means that I help entrepreneurs/business owners reach the outcomes they have envisioned for their respective businesses. I do this by teaching World Class tools, facilitating their discussions, and coaching them as we climb together up their business mountain. I am a Coach, not a Consultant. A Consultant comes with answers; as a Coach, I question their answers. The problems I help my clients solve revolve around People, Purpose, Playbook, Performance, and Profit. The five Pinnacle Principles. What makes me proud is when a client & their Leadership Team look back at the work with have been implementing and executing on and see the transformations that have occurred and their ability to conquer even greater priorities and solve bigger problems or issues.

Any advice for managing a team?

The first thing that comes to mind for managing a team is you have to show them the ‘Why’ behind the ‘What.’ Too often, leaders fail to let the team know why they are going in the direction they are; they say “This is where we are going!” and don’t tell them why or ask for input from their team. I suggest to these leaders that their team can’t read their minds; you have to put clothes on the Invisible Man. When a leader allows ‘weigh-in,’ they get ‘buy-in,’ which is when magic can happen.

Maintaining high morale is not as hard as most make it. If a client is hiring based on their Core Values, these employees should be A-players. A-players fit the culture and are highly productive, and love accountability. Why? Because they are usually being heard, have a sense of community at work, and understand how their job/work makes a difference. They know the ‘Why’ behind the ‘What.’

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy has been referrals from existing clients. My goal from the beginning has been a referral from every client and every referral a client. Is it possible? Probably not, but it’s my goal. When an existing client refers me, it’s confirmation that I am providing value, are seeing results, and reaching outcomes, they had envisioned.

Contact Info:

• Website: elitesucceed.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithtrost/