ABOUT ME

I didn’t start out as a coach. For the first 21 years of my career, I did just about everything. I flipped burgers, mowed lawns, painted houses, delivered papers, shoveled snow, stitched overalls, lifeguarded, worked in a factory, roofed houses, counted stock, waited tables, rented videos, delivered room service, made coffee, unloaded trucks, recruited volunteers, built teams, taught kids math and science, managed business units, wrote articles, spoke to inmates, created curriculum, trained clients in the gym, negotiated contracts, cleaned warehouses, counseled students…plus a dozen other odd jobs I’ve probably forgotten.

That patchwork of jobs taught me two things: how to work hard and how to connect with people.

Both became the foundation for everything I do now.

When I was 19, a mentor handed me a cassette case full of John Maxwell’s talks. That was the spark. From then on, I knew I wanted to help people discover, articulate, and build a life that mattered.

At first, I tried copying leaders I admired. It didn’t work. Imitation might be a starting point, but it won’t sustain you. If you want to make an impact, you have to find your own voice.

So I went on the journey. I earned advanced degrees, worked across the U.S. for NGOs, and hustled on the side to build something of my own. In 2006, I filed the paperwork for my coaching business. I kept my day job, but I spent early mornings, late nights, weekends, and even vacations building a practice that felt true to me.

That journey eventually took me overseas. I packed up my little business and carried it with me to Sydney, where I had to prove to myself that my voice could translate in a whole new culture. It wasn’t easy. But I kept going with early calls, late writing sessions, and weekend workshops. I hustled to keep it alive.

Fast forward. I’ve been coaching and consulting full-time for over a decade. I’ve partnered with some of the world’s most recognized brands, major institutions, and innovative private companies, alongside dozens of family businesses and family offices across the globe.

That range of experience has given me a front-row seat to how leaders think, what holds them back, and what helps them break through. And, through it all, I’ve learned the same truth: the work is always about helping leaders discover a better way to live and work.

My approach is simple - mastery takes time, and self-awareness is your edge. Failure is feedback, consistency beats talent, and without a why, you’ll quit. Above all, meaning matters most, when your gifts align with what truly matters, everything changes.

That’s my story. But this isn’t really about me. It’s about you.

Running a business and feeling stuck? Getting the next generation ready to take over? Wondering if an outside perspective could help you see what you’re missing? Searching for meaning in the middle of all the pressure?

If this is you, I’d love to help. The first conversation is always on me. Hit me up at steve@steveknox.us or +1.832.915.9877.