Episode 797 • July 28, 2025 • 25 min
How to Create a Fulfilling Consulting Business by Integrating Structure, Community, and Powerful Professional Relationships Featuring R. Karl Hebenstreit
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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:
https://linkedin.com/in/rkarlhebenstreit
The How and Why: Taking Care of Business with the Enneagram:
Nina and the Really, Really Tough Decision, English version:
Nina and the Really, Really Tough Decision, Spanish version:
Nina and the Really, Really Tough Decision, French version:
Nina and the Really, Really Tough Decision, Greek version:
https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?Np4TNouttaDLgprAMd5jNl7hC1DjYrBMeWmJc4jIJYl
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The Smashing the Plateau Community
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