Rich Gee

How did you arrive at running this business?

As a upper-management executive, I had a coach (if I didn’t, I would be institutionalized today). She helped me with the the myriad of issues an executive faces and was a trusted partner. One day she said: “You would be a great coach.” It caught me off-guard (after 20 years in corporate) – so I asked why. She said that as a manager, I have always coached my team, but I also have a real empathy to help people and that I have an innate ability to get people excited and motivated. “You should try it.” she said. So I did. And I LOVED it. So much that I left my corporate position and started my own practice and 10 years later, I’ve never regretted it. In fact, I have more fun and fulfillment each year. And it takes me out of my comfort zone to challenge me to do new and exciting things. What else can you ask for?

What are you known for professionally?

There are a lot of coaches out there. Don’t get me wrong, there are some great ones that change people’s lives. Unfortunately, the majority (90-95%) are hacks and hobbyists. I hate to be blunt, but it’s true. I run one of the best executive advisory and coaching firms in the nation. How can I say that? Well . . . I bring 20 years of corporate management knowledge, 10 years executive coaching experience, a practice of 20+ clients, 25+ corporate workshops yearly, and frequently tapped by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Today Show for my views on business topics. When I come up in conversations with executives, they exclaim, “You have to meet Rich Gee.” When I meet people, when I host talks, and when I coach, I have an ability to get people charged and enthusiastic about what they do (or want to do). Some people have called me their “spark” of business.

What’s the #1 problem you are best at solving for your clients?

I help my clients THINK BIG. We all tend to constrain ourselves in one way or another — we are our worst critics. I get my clients to focus on what they can really do and help them realize that the obstacles that hold them back are pretty easy to eliminate. On calls, I sometimes yell out, “Big Smile!” or “Think Bigger!”. Clients then get the message. My clients are my best marketers. “He gets me motivated!” or “A weekly investment with a lifetime of return.” Who have you worked with in the past? I work with all levels of executives — from the board