By Thomas J. Perrone, CLU,CIC
From the Building and Protecting Your Business Worth Broadcast | Guest: Nancy Jonker, PhD
Most business owners are great at strategy. Where they get stuck? People. The persistent, uncomfortable, often-avoided challenges that quietly drain productivity, erode partnerships, and eat into the bottom line.
That’s exactly what Dr. Nancy Jonker, Business Consulting Psychologist and Executive Coach at DaptaWise, helps leaders untangle.
When Strategy Is Actually a People Problem in Disguise
One of the most common traps business owners fall into is diagnosing a people challenge as a strategy or execution issue. When results aren’t coming in, it’s tempting to tweak the plan — but often, the real friction lives in how people are communicating, collaborating (or not), and responding to change.
Nancy specializes in uncovering these hidden dynamics using tools like AQai adaptability assessments, Kolbe, and Systemic Team Coaching to get beneath the surface fast.
The Real Cost of Avoiding Hard Conversations
Silence is expensive. When leaders sidestep difficult conversations — with partners, team members, or direct reports — those gaps compound over time. Misalignment grows, resentment builds, and talented people disengage. By the time it shows up in the numbers, the damage is already done.
The good news: there’s almost always a clear path forward, even when a situation feels hopeless at first.
You Shouldn’t Have to Figure This Out Alone
Many owners believe they should be able to resolve people problems themselves. But just as you’d call a financial advisor for complex tax strategy, there’s real value in bringing in an expert when human dynamics are at stake — before the cost of avoidance becomes irreversible.
Nancy’s approach cuts to clarity without months of therapy or extended offsite retreats. Often, one small shift in how a leader frames a conversation or responds to conflict can unlock momentum for the entire team.
One Takeaway for Overwhelmed Leaders
If you’re stuck in a sticky people challenge right now, start here: name the gap, not the person. Shift the conversation from blame to behavior, and focus the team on what outcome you’re all actually trying to reach. That one reframe can move a stuck partnership from silence to action.
To learn more or connect with Nancy Jonker, visit DaptaWise on LinkedIn.
Interested in estate and business planning support? Contact Thomas J. Perrone at tperrone@necgginc.com or call 203-530-6615. His book, “Unlocking Your Business’ DNA,” is available on Amazon — profits go to Veteran Groups.
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