Elevate Your IT Leadership From Within
What is "CoachSulting?"
What if you could combine bespoke Consulting, Training, and Coaching to your IT Team Leaders in a way that reduced costs, increased effectiveness… and finally… FINALLY got rid of Technical Debts from years of teams being “too busy” to deal with it?
What if you could have an industry leader with over 25 years of experience not just sell you yet another certification program, but CUSTOM DESIGN a program of growth suited specifically to YOUR COMPANY?
Did you see our article in Digital Trends?
Bespoke IT Leadership Enablement
Our “CoachSulting” offer is a unique blend of Consulting, Instruction, and Coaching, crafted to empower IT leaders with essential skills beyond their technical expertise, all from an industry leader who has not only been there – but has been dedicated to helping the next generation of IT Leaders to THRIVE.
We recognize that many IT professionals are promoted based on their technical prowess, yet often lack the leadership skills necessary for effective team management. The problem only gets worse, because most learning programs cover industry certifications, AI and other ‘shiny objects’ that don’t offer solutions… but MORE TO MANGAGE! Our approach addresses these gaps by focusing on crucial soft skills such as project management, communication, and delegation. First, the Team Lead learns what is most important to the business to be successful… and say no to everything else until that occurs!
No more wasted time.
No more burnout.
Through our RiskLESS Methodology, we guide leaders through the phases of Understand, Plan, Change, and Maintain; ensuring sustainable growth and efficiency. Our mission is to provide companies with a “Virtual CTO” who collaborates with their leaders to enhance team performance amidst challenges like AI advancements, technical debt, and staff burnout.
This vCTO will work with leadership to define priorities, and formulate agreements with Team Leaders – equipping and coaching them to success with ongoing support and peer-based masterminds.
There simply isn’t another program like it, because most so-called ‘coaches’ are not as FANATICALLY DEDICATED to seeing positively transformed leaders that inspire the next generation of leaders.
AND – the goal is to promote ownership in the WHOLE TEAM. Whether we engage in ongoing support of just team leads, or the entire team… the solution is bespoke to your organization!
Key Features of CoachSulting
Comprehensive Skill Development
Our program enhances leadership capabilities by focusing on critical soft skills, ensuring your team leaders are equipped to manage and inspire effectively.
Project Methodology
Our program will begin with a proven methodology as a framework for the entire team. This methodology works not only for IT Projects, but for goal setting and common ground as well.
Communications
Feedback from the majority of companies that we work with is that their Team Leads are not equipped to effectively communicate with other teams or company leadership. Workshops and ongoing coaching assure this challenge is addressed.
SMARTER Goal Setting
A key component to any team is to have goals that align with the buisiness. By using the SMART-ER Framework, Leads are guided on setting the example in both their teams and in their personal lives. With ongoing coaching and support, goals are maintained and adjusted over time.
Career and Life Management
To assure the Team Lead is confident in their future, time is taken to assess and make plans to move forward on a regular basis. Team Leads are encouraged to meet regularly with company leaders and managers to set goals for advancement within the company with a proactive plan for the current team, or in some cases to increase their satisfaction in staying exactly where they are.
Each person is different, so our solution relies on regular 1 on 1 coaching sessions where confidential support is found.
As the Team Lead grows – coaching follows, spotting unseen issues and appropriately challenging them for growth.
Tailored Leadership Strategies
We customize our approach to fit your organization’s unique needs, providing strategies that align with your goals and challenges.
Proven Strategies
Content from industry leaders is brought into the “Multi-Pass” membership portion of the program. Members in good standing will have access to a library of content from our network of proven leaders.
In addition, materials from certification sources such as John Maxwell Leadership and others are made available to program members with new content arriving every month.
Lead Small, Win Big
Unlike some programs that focus on a one-size-fits-all ‘rah, rah’ style of leadership, we feel it is important to focus on the small team leaders first. These individuals have the most dramatic impact on their smaller teams, and therefore we focus our efforts on equipping them. Each team is different, and each leader is different – so a coaching mastermind is made available to accomodate this. New challenges meet with inspired solutions from a group of the small team leader’s peers.
This practical “at the table” method is, we find, far more effective than leading from the stage.
Lead from the Shoulder
The Team Lead learns to “Lead from the Shoulder” rather than from the front. Most newer team leads find that they are taking on too much of the work because they are the most ‘senior’ person. Rather than this form of leading from the back or worse, handing down assignments from ‘on high’, the Team Lead is equipped to inspire forward progress as an equal without having to demand it or take on too much work themselves in the process. All members are elevated as a result.
Company-Oriented Goals
The very first step in our process is to have the Team Lead formulate agreements with company leadership on what their goals are, how they can be measured, and how to best strategize their team’s place in that. Using time-honored strategies such as Lean, TPS, and TOC (Theory of Constraints), the company goals are translated into team goals during the consulting phase.
Sustainable Growth Solutions
Our RiskLESS Methodology ensures continuous improvement and adaptability, helping your teams thrive in a rapidly changing IT landscape.
Proactive Time Management
A critical item for any team is learning how to manage their time proactively instead of reactively. We work with the Team Lead and Management to determine and adjust these strategies, using D.J.’s Covey-Inspired time accounting process. Time is scored with a value number which leadership can easily see trends of when team members are less productive because they are focused on the wrong things. This gives the Lead the ability to re-assign responsibilities (delegate) using data, not just intuition.
Eliminating Technical Debt
When new challenges arrive (for example, Mergers and Aquisitions), often there is a buildup of intended changes and integrations that grow larger and more challenging over time. By addressing these problems proactively, the team will set the standard for efficiency, dramatically reducing operating costs.
Right-Fit Assignments
The Team Lead is equipped with tools to determine who on their team is best suited for various tasks and requirements, and assigns tasks based on either existing talent or talents to be developed.
When new staff are brought onboard, the right balance of new responsibility and operating from one’s developed talents are easy to assign.
Paying it Forward - Mentorship
Team Leads work to create a culture of internal membership, so that when the time comes to move on – others in the team are already leading from the shoulder!
Bridging Leadership Gaps
In the fast-paced world of IT, technical prowess alone is not enough to lead effectively. Many IT professionals find themselves in leadership roles without the necessary soft skills to manage teams successfully.
The CoachSulting program addresses these critical gaps, focusing on areas such as project management, effective communication, and strategic delegation. These skills are essential for fostering a collaborative environment where team members feel valued and motivated. By enhancing these competencies, we help transform technically skilled individuals into well-rounded leaders who can inspire and guide their teams to achieve greater success.
Understand
- Involves a deep dive into the current state of your team and processes, identifying key strengths and areas for improvement.
Plan
- Focuses on developing strategic initiatives tailored to address identified gaps and enhance team capabilities.
Change
- Our plans are implemented, fostering a culture of adaptability and growth.
Maintain
Ensures that improvements are sustained over time, with continuous support and adjustments as needed to keep your team thriving.
RiskLESS Methodology
As seen in the book “Just Do THIS: A Simpler Way to Succeed in I.T.”
The RiskLESS Methodology is a comprehensive approach designed to transform IT leadership through four distinct phases.
These same phases can be used beyond IT – in fact D.J. has used these in services, business development, sales, marketing, and even personal planning!
Limited Time Offer: Those who book a complementary call will gain audiobook access to Just Do THIS… and those that complete a call will be eligible for bulk orders of the hardcover for their entire team at up to 60% off!
Our methodology is not just about immediate fixes; it’s about creating a sustainable framework that empowers IT leaders to navigate challenges effectively. By Understanding the unique dynamics of your team, we craft a customized Plan that aligns with your organizational goals. This allows Change to be adaptable – if we find something is not working, we return to Understand and Plan until we get it right. Maintenance is key to long-term success, and our approach includes weekly ongoing support and refinement to keep your team operating at peak efficiency with lower stress.
With the CoachSulting vCTO, you gain a partner in transformation.
We work alongside your leaders to ensure that every phase is executed with excellence, resulting in a more cohesive, efficient, and resilient IT team.
This methodology is not just a service; it’s a commitment to your success and a pathway to thriving in the ever-evolving tech landscape.
Virtual CTO Benefits
Strategic Leadership Enhancement
Our Virtual CTO service provides strategic guidance to enhance leadership capabilities within your organization. By working closely with your leaders, we help them develop the skills needed to navigate complex challenges and drive innovation.
Team Efficiency Optimization
With a focus on optimizing team efficiency, our Virtual CTO collaborates with your IT department to streamline processes, reduce technical debt, and implement best practices that boost productivity and morale.
Proactive Risk Management
Our approach includes proactive risk management strategies to safeguard your organization against potential threats, including AI advancements and staff burnout. We ensure your team is equipped to handle future challenges with confidence.
Unlock Your Team's Potential
Meet Your Virtual CTO
D.J. Eshelman is the founder of Thrive-IT.
Coming from very humble beginnings – growing up in Colorado (USA) with no electricity or runnning water – D.J. has over the years learned that success does not just happen. It must be intentional.
He has been working in Information Technology since 1997, most notibly as a Resident Architect/Consultant with Citrix Consulting Services from 2011 to 2023. He has served as Chief Architect, Director of Technology, and CTO-like roles in between times of contracting with Citrix and other companies in the United States.
Now demanding consulting rates of over $350/hr, D.J. may have learned the hard way- but he mostly learned that he didn’t have to learn the hard way!
D.J. is the author of two well-respected books and programs – Be A Citrix Hero, and of course Just Do THIS – A Simpler Way to Succeed in I.T. where he introduced the RiskLESS methodology.
D.J. noted almost immediately that modern I.T. Services Consulting is often a combination of expertise (Consulting), Training, and Delivery (Engineering) that can be difficult to navigate. During his time contracting with Citrix Consulting, he was asked to guide technical teams – some of which went on to VP and Enterprise Architect levels within the company… however, it didn’t start that way. D.J. was just like most technical people that were promoted to leadership: ill-equpped to lead.
D.J. was at an industry event where one of his mentors looked around and asked “Is there anyone here under 40?”
D.J. knew it was time to start stepping away from technical work and dedicate his efforts toward growing the next generation. He has been increasingly dedicated to Coaching since 2018, adopting the “Citrix Coach” moniker on many platforms including Twitter.
He launched the Thrive-IT YouTube channel and How to Thrive in I.T. Podcasts to demonstrate how seemingly ordinary people working in I.T. – regardless of their standing, gender, race, or economic status – can learn to succeed. By having on many CTOs, respected influencers and even CEOs -the message was clear. They started out just like everyone else.
With guides such as Tony Robbins, Dan Miller, John Maxwell, and others- D.J. learned the practice of Leadership Coaching which he now combines with his decades of exposure to literally hundreds of I.T. teams over the decades.
D.J. lives in middle Tennessee with his wife and two twin cats, Thor and Loki.