Client Testimonials
Letter from Terry Hunefeld, CEO of By Referral Only, Inc.
To Whom it May Concern:
Several years ago I knew I needed an executive coach. I set out to find the best of the best and identified an initial pool of 100 top drawer coaches. I narrowed the list to the top ten that I interviewed. When I selected Kurt Southam as my coach, I felt strongly that I would get a good “mirror” to monitor how I show up to my leadership team, along with “best practices” of how to lead, and you delivered. But I got so much more.
In our weekly phone sessions, Kurt came to know me and my staff intimately. He understood the interpersonal dynamics between me and my staff from our conversations. His attention to detail and recall of past events and interactions was amazing. As a result of his coaching, I was able to focus on areas in which to improve, but more importantly to build on my strengths. I learned how to really communicate on a deep level with my direct reports, thereby strengthening my relationships with them and watching their motivation and results soar.
With Kurt I have a trusted friend and advisor available whenever I need an objective sounding board. Now, instead of wondering what to do, I know that I have someone I can talk to, discuss facts with, and get clear, concise, “right-on” feedback that I can take and immediately implement. His advice is always spot on! I have learned to have confidence in his counsel because it works. He is all about results and relationships and keeps me focused on these high leverage areas.
His valuable insights come from the rare combination of being a seasoned and successful corporate president, having solid academic credentials, and a strong track record of coaching and consulting experience as evidenced by others he has helped.
He has been instrumental in helping me “trust my instincts” and to lead inspirationally and decisively. With his guidance I was able to make many tough calls, add 60 new high performers to meet our growth opportunities, and increase our net profitability from $200,000 to $1.6 million in only 18 months since our coaching relationship began! I now have an “A” team of directors reporting to me who do all the heavy lifting. I would not have been able to lead this massive change without Kurt.
The skills he helped me develop will last me lifetime, both in business and my personal life. On top of all that, he is a good friend, for a lifetime. He changed my life.
Terry Hunefeld
President, CEO
By Referral Only, Inc.
Dr. Kurt Southam