Top-Notch Leaders: The Powerful Skills That Make Them Stand Out

Shayne Fitz-Coy contributed to Fast Company’s expert panel, “20 ways to build a resilient company culture in uncertain times.” BUILD TRUST BEFORE A CRISIS HITS. You don’t build a resilient culture during a crisis; you build it all the time. When revenue was soaring at our travel company in 2019, we invested in culture-building programs…

Shayne Fitz-Coy contributed to Fast Company’s expert panel, “How can company leaders navigate global conflicts?.” TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE TURMOIL. Big changes make most companies panic, but smart leaders see opportunity in turmoil. If you’re not a top global leader, instability is your advantage. When rules are unclear, move first to shape them. When competitors…

Shayne Fitz-Coy contributed to Fast Company’s expert panel, “20 business strategies for engaging and connecting with your audience.” HOST INTIMATE CONVERSATIONS, NOT BROADCASTS. In lower middle-market investing, targeted online roundtables with business owners drive better engagement than an email blast could. Gathering eight to 10 business owners together fosters trust and encourages candid conversations. Our…

Shayne Fitz-Coy contributed to Fast Company’s expert panel, “20 business leaders share their best advice for the next generation.” PICK UP THE PHONE. Pick up the phone and call. In a world of asynchronous, low-friction interaction, telephony can be your secret competitive advantage. Most want to hide behind email threads and chat platforms, but I’ve…

Shayne Fitz-Coy contributed to Fast Company’s expert panel, “19 leadership principles to strengthen lasting client relationships.” NOT FEARING THE HARD TRUTHS Tell uncomfortable truths. When a client wanted a project 30% faster, my team wanted to say “yes” while knowing we couldn’t do it. Instead, I said, “We can’t do that, and here’s why.” There…

Shayne Fitz-Coy contributed to Fast Company’s expert panel, “Industry shifting? 18 leaders share their challenges and solutions.” LACKING SPONSORSHIP RESOURCES My firm focuses on lower middle-market buyouts. The rise of unfunded sponsors and the increase in Main Street-focused PE funds have added complexity to lower middle-market acquisitions, particularly in the $10 million to $30 million…