Show Notes:

In this episode of the Business Growth Spotlight, Heidi Schalk sits down with leadership coach and business strategist Brent Hafele, founder of Vibrancy Unlocked. Brent shares what really happens behind the scenes for CEOs and why leadership challenges often become the biggest growth barriers organizations face.

From loneliness at the top and decision fatigue to burnout and team development, Brent provides powerful insights into what separates struggling leaders from thriving ones.

He also explains why most growth challenges are actually leadership challenges, how CEOs can build stronger teams, and why self awareness may be the most important skill a leader can develop.

Whether you're a CEO, founder, executive, or business owner looking to grow your organization, this conversation offers practical wisdom for leading with greater clarity, confidence, and impact.

Bio:

Brent A. Hafele, M.A., PCC, President & Coach to CEOs

Hi, I'm Brent.

Over my career, I led in the number one or number two role in multiple businesses and nonprofits on the local, national, and international level. Starting in 2008, I also worked as a consultant, partnering with 180+ CEOs and senior leaders across North America on fundraising, board governance, strategic planning, and organizational leadership.

That consulting work gave me a front-row seat to executive leadership—I observed their styles, traits, quirks, struggles, and blind spots. While I wasn't contracted specifically for leadership coaching, I often found myself helping those CEOs navigate the human side of leadership as we tackled their organizational challenges together.

The work world can too easily strip away our humanity with expectations that prevent you from being you. Given the chance, it will challenge your values, divide your family, and leave you beat up.

I founded Vibrancy Unlocked in 2022 because I saw a better way. CEOs needed more than strategic advice—they needed a partner who understood the weight of executive leadership and could help them break free from the patterns keeping them stuck.

There are few things I love more than supporting a leader and their team as they press on into the next season.

And it is my joy to walk with you toward vibrancy. To listen. To Question. To Strategize. To Encourage. To Celebrate. Bring on the real and the raw. Let's get to work.

Credentials

ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC)

Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach

M.A. in Nonprofit Leadership & Philanthropy

B.A. in Organizational Communication

20+ years leading for-profit and nonprofit organizations

Worked with 180+ CEOs as a consultant and coach since 2008

Personal

Believer. Husband. Father. Friend. Leader. Coach.

Location: Based in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

To connect with our guest, click on the links below:

LinkedIn: Brent A. Hafele, M.A., PCC | LinkedIn

Website: https://www.vibrancyunlocked.com/

Connect with me:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/

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