134 - Diagnosing the Small Foxes: Damon Rich: Relationship-Driven Consulting, Leadership, & Coaching

Host Mark McNees interviews Damon Rich of Rich Coaching and Consulting on the InNOLEvation® Mindset podcast. Rich explains how his firm helps organizations strengthen internal and vendor relationships, often stepping in during crisis to diagnose root issues by starting with the story rather than becoming “data blind.” He shares his background from rural Carrabelle, Florida, lessons in hard work and reading, and the completion of his degree at WGU after building a career in healthcare and government, including 13 years as a bureau chief at Florida’s Agency for Healthcare Administration. Rich discusses leadership principles influenced by Sun Tzu, avoiding micromanagement, humility, and seeking wise counsel. He describes leaving AHCA in 2022 due to stress, funding his transition through temporary roles, and growing into trusted-advisor coaching that includes personal support, faith, and capacity management, ending with advice to not overthink the small stuff. Website and Social media addresses: • www.richcoachingandconsulting.com • https://www.instagram.com/richcoaching_consultinggroup • https://www.linkedin.com/in/damon-rich/ 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:30 What Rich Coaching Does 01:28 Crisis Relationship Fixing 02:46 Story Before Data 03:38 Roots in Rural Florida 04:46 Reading and Self-Education 08:49 Relationships and Father Figures 10:17 Books and Leadership Quotes 13:21 Delegation Without Micromanaging 18:32 Career Path in Healthcare 22:22 Leaving to Start the Business 24:48 First Clients and Networking Hurdles 27:11 Spouse Support Leap 28:05 Bootstrapping Through Temp Work 30:09 Entrepreneur Fear Moments 32:53 People First Mission 36:05 Small Fox Diagnosis 40:36 Consultant Questions Humility 46:05 Trusted Advisor Coaching Model 51:02 Mindset Capacity Boundaries 55:29 Final Advice Wrap Up