How to Turn Managers Into Leaders – Brian Walch

In this episode of Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder, we’re exploring why strong managers are the backbone of every successful organization. Dave is joined by Brian Walch, owner of Shift Focus Coaching and Consulting, who draws on his diverse career—from software development to executive coaching—to reveal what it really takes to turn managers into influential leaders.

Dave and Brian unpack the most common mistakes companies make when developing managers, the essential leadership skills every manager needs, and the tricky transition from being a peer to becoming the boss. They also dive into how empathy and emotional intelligence impact performance, culture, and retention—and why investing in managers can pay off in a big way.

If you’re an aspiring manager, a seasoned leader seeking to grow, or part of an organization striving for a stronger leadership culture, this conversation delivers actionable insights you can put to work immediately.

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About Our Guest:

Brian Walch is a certified executive coach, writer, and speaker. As the owner of Shiftfocus Coaching and Consulting, he helps organizations develop their managers and build best-in-class management cultures. Before launching his own practice, he spent 25 years at a growing national consulting firm where he worked with clients in HR, IT, Finance, Operations, and the C-suite. As a partner, he filled diverse leadership roles in HR, business development, operations, and project execution. He built a comprehensive employer branding and recruiting program and spearheaded employee retention and development initiatives.  

In addition to his business experience, he has led projects that have transformed small businesses, modernized government agencies, and improved enterprise-wide systems and processes.  Today, Brian uses his experience with people and systems to develop tools and programs to empower managers to lead themselves, their teams, and their organizations.

About the Host:

Dave Bookbinder is known as an expert in business valuation and he is the person that business owners and entrepreneurs reach out to when they need to know what their most important assets are worth. Known as a collaborative adviser, Dave has served thousands of client companies of all sizes and industries. 

Dave is the author of two #1 best-selling books about the impact of human capital (PEOPLE!) on the valuation of a business enterprise called The NEW ROI: Return On Individuals & The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers. 

He’s on a mission to change the conversation about how the accounting world recognizes the value of people’s contributions to a business enterprise, and to quantify what every CEO on the planet claims: “Our people are this company’s most valuable asset.”

Dave’s book, A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know, was recognized as a top new release in Business and Valuation and is designed to provide practical insights and tools to help understand what really drives business value, how to prepare for an exit, and just make better decisions.

He’s also the host of the highly rated Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder business podcast which is enjoyed in more than 100 countries.

🔸 Grab Dave’s Books: The New ROI: Return on Individuals  | The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers  |  A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know

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