Meet Joseph Thompson: Executive Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joseph Thompson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joseph, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
For most of my life, I had always thought of myself as a solid worker, but not an entrepreneur. But as I started earning promotions and finding myself in leadership positions, especially positions that I had previously judged as ‘not for me’ (e.g., “I’ll never want to be in charge”), the possibility crept in that I could be my own boss. So when I started to realize that I had talents and interest in coaching, it started to dawn on me that running my own business would be a huge part of it. I was working with my own coach and we discussed different strategies: I could go and get some training, I could do apprentice-work, or I could just take the risk of setting up shop and learn by doing. The latter appealed to me: it was the type of empowered risk that I was experiencing and leading others to live in, and so I took the plunge! And while I was figuring it out, I ended up joining an apprentice program to more powerfully foster the growth I wanted to see. I had already jumped into the deep end and knew what that felt like and I wasn’t so afraid of it or judgmental of it. It’s been the best thing.

What should our readers know about your business?
I’m an executive coach. I serve people. They’re entrepreneurs, non-profit execs, educators, leaders in Fortune 500 companies, artists and creatives, moms, dads, teens – people! who want to find out what they’re capable of. The work I do with my clients is a renovation of mind to turn the impossible into the familiar. Everyone in the world is working on some change in their life, but not many people are actively looking for their blindspots, committed to finding out what they don’t know. In the work, we call this Meta-Performance, which asks the question, “I wonder what I’m capable of?” instead of “How can I be the best?”. My practice is currently 17 and growing. It hasn’t been easy (because rarely is that what we want), the discomfort involved with building a solid practice, undergoing the transformative work myself, all of it is part of growing, which is deeply satisfying. I am the product of this work, of asking questions that bring about a transformation of my mind, my language, and my behaviors, rather than just getting clever about hitting targets or selling more. There is a miraculous change available for everyone. Everyone. And it’s closer than you might think.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
When people come to visit, we love to share our favorite Mexican spot in our area, La Cocina del Roberto, and then usually head into town for some more eclectic fare. I think the Water Wall is such a unique experience, even if it’s a little short-lived. It’s a full-on sensory treat, though. The cafe scene in Houston is excellent though, with Common Bond being kind of the crowned jewel. I would go take them to see my friend Jane who runs Golden Bagel. We’d go to St. Arnold’s and hang out and let our kids run around under the patio and drink some excellent beers.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are several recipients for my shoutout! Firstly, without the support, partnership, and grounding that of my wife, I wouldn’t be able to do this. She keeps me level-headed and focused on the main thing while also trusting me to do the risk-taking necessary for going beyond what I think I’m capable of. Secondly, my parents – they have supported me in my transition from traditional careership to entrepreneurship. There is a yes attitude they embody that has made me who I am and ingrained a trust in my gifts, talents, and abilities. I also want to thank Sara Triana Mitchell, author, for introducing me to the Shoutout Series! Finally, my firm, Novus Global, provides constant and consistent upgrades to challenge me in what I think my highest level is. It’s great to be able to build my practice and run the day-to-day on my own, knowing there’s a tribe that has my back every step of the way.

Website: novus.global
Instagram: joseph.a.thompson
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-thompson-1b016999/

Image Credits
Dan Selmeczy