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July 28, 2025 25 mins

Karl is a certified Executive Coach, Leadership, Team, and Organization Development Consultant, and international speaker with over 25 years of corporate experience. He holds a PhD in Organizational Psychology and has authored three books: The How and Why: Taking Care of Business with the Enneagram (now in its third edition), Nina and the Really, Really Tough Decision (available in English, Spanish, French, and Greek), and Explicit Expectations: The Essential Guide & Toolkit of Management Fundamentals.

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to successfully transition from corporate life to a thriving solopreneur career and the vital role of relationships and community in long-term business growth.

R. Karl and I discuss:

  • Why he left a successful corporate career to become a solopreneur [00:02:04]
  • The biggest surprises after leaving employment [00:04:20]
  • How he created structure and flexibility as a solopreneur [00:06:01]
  • The importance of leveraging your network [00:09:48]
  • Work-life integration vs. work-life balance [00:11:00]
  • How social and volunteer activities can lead to business opportunities [00:11:36]
  • When companies seek external consultants and coaches [00:15:04]
  • Trends in leadership development and organizational consulting demand [00:16:48]
  • Practical strategies for successful client engagements [00:18:31]
  • How communities of practice support entrepreneurs [00:19:40]
  • The most important step a corporate refugee can take today [00:21:34]
  • Why you can’t do it alone—and the power of asking for help [00:22:11]

Learn more about R. Karl at:

www.performandfunction.com

https://linkedin.com/in/rkarlhebenstreit

The How and Why: Taking Care of Business with the Enneagram: 

https://a.co/d/afDU79r

Nina and the Really, Really Tough Decision, English version: 

https://a.co/d/jgt0uxr

Nina and the Really, Really Tough Decision, Spanish version: 

https://a.co/d/fnRvn9o

Nina and the Really, Really Tough Decision, French version: 

https://a.co/d/068uRvGv

Nina and the Really, Really Tough Decision, Greek version: 

https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?Np4TNouttaDLgprAMd5jNl7hC1DjYrBMeWmJc4jIJYl


Thank you to our sponsor:

The Smashing the Plateau Community


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