Skip to main content
Babs Smith

Babs Smith

Co-founder, owner, and CEO of Strategic Coach, which she founded with partner Dan Sullivan in 1989.

Oct 16, 2026

16:19
And I'd like Babs to, um, say it right so that together we're correct.
16:25
[laughs] Well, no, I mean, it-- everything he said.
16:30
And you're look- you gotta know the role you're looking for.
16:35
So, like, if I match it to the theater model, um, there, in the theater production, there are different roles.
16:42
I mean, and that's front stage and backstage, but let's just talk about front stage roles.
16:46
You've got different roles you're trying to fill, and then they have to match up with the other people on the front stage.
16:53
Plus, they have to be, you know, supportable and all the things that happen between backstage and front stage, right, Jeff?
17:01
That is good.
37:29
Uh, I talked to my main doctor today, and I told him about this about 30 days ago, and he says, "You know, I've been using that time system that when I get up in the morning, you know, I've got 16 hours ahead of me, and I, I just think about those 16 hours and what am I going to do in those 16 hours that tomorrow morning it was a great yesterday." So anyway, I just want to share that.
37:54
Yeah.
37:54
And I notice that, um, it's-- Dan has shifted into a greater calmness and more present and more fun.
38:06
So...
38:07
And that's from-
38:07
And that matters, that Babs-
38:09
And that matters.
38:10
[both laughing] I think he gets points for making me laugh.
55:08
Babs.
55:09
Well, I built the team around Dan from the beginning.
55:12
That was, like, 36 years ago, and some of those people are still there, are still with us.
55:19
Shannon Waller and, you know, and they're just people that, um, we had met, we knew.
55:25
We, you know, it grew, and, um, Julie Cosgrave is still here after 30-something years, I think.
55:32
But, um, um, where was I going with that? I don't interview people.
55:37
Well, I see people, like, if they're coming in for certain positions, I'll see them after other people have b- basically, you know, sorted it out and show they've get- they think they're that really aligned and they're really good for us.
56:54
And even then I don't-

We value your privacy

We use cookies to understand how you use our platform and to improve your experience. Click “Accept All” to consent, or “Decline non-essential” to opt out of non-essential cookies. Read our Privacy Policy.