Inside Seven Ways Consulting with Jenn Christison

A Conversation with Seven Ways Consulting Owner and Principal Consultant, Jenn Christison

When I joined Jae Encarnacion on the Founders Future podcast, we dug into the real story behind Seven Ways Consulting—why I started it, how I work with leaders today, and where I see the leadership and continuous improvement industry heading.

If you’ve ever wondered what effective leadership coaching looks like, why process improvement efforts fail, or how organizations can grow without burning out their people, this conversation is for you.

From Internal Consultant to Small Business Owner: Why Seven Ways Exists

Before launching Seven Ways Consulting, I spent most of my career as an internal consultant inside large, complex organizations like Boeing and Seattle Children’s. I worked directly with leaders on process improvement, team dynamics, and organizational transformation. And we often partnered with external consultants.

And in that work, I started noticing something troubling.

“Too many external consultants lead with their box instead of listening for what you actually need.”

Leaders weren’t getting custom-fit guidance—they were getting off-the-shelf solutions. That might work for simple projects, but not for culture, leadership habits, or large-scale change.

Leadership challenges are never one-size-fits-all. They’re as unique as the organization itself.

That realization pushed me to build a consulting model centered on deep listening, customized approaches, and implementation support that meets leaders exactly where they are.

How My Services Have Evolved (And Who I Serve Now)

Like many small business owners, I started my business as a side hustle. During the pandemic, when virtual work became widely accepted, I began offering workshops and coaching using up my vacation time. Early clients were nonprofits looking for just-in-time support—one-off sessions on goal-setting, prioritization, or team communication.

Fast-forward to today:

• Seven Ways Consulting is now my full-time business.

• My client base includes healthcare, aerospace, tech, nonprofits, and mid-size operations teams.

• Engagements are longer-term, deeper, and more comprehensive.

Our core services include:

1. Executive Coaching (Individual + Tiered Team Models)

We work one-on-one with senior leaders and with their full leadership teams. This includes coaching, structured capability-building, small-group support, and ongoing office hours for real-time issues like difficult conversations or resetting team routines.

2. Custom Workshops

We design and facilitate sessions on:

• Goal setting

• Prioritization

• Team dynamics

• Process improvement

• Creative problem solving

Everything is customized and focused on learn-by-doing, immediately applicable experiences.

“If you want to be different, you need to practice being different.”

The Biggest Misconception About Continuous Improvement & Coaching

People often think they already know what “continuous improvement” means—maybe because they read one Lean book or worked with one consultant.

But that narrow definition leaves a lot of value on the table.

“There’s no single right way to do leadership or process improvement. That’s why the relationship between leader and coach matters so much.”

I always encourage clients to shop around. This work is intensely relational. Your coach needs to be someone you trust, someone who tells you the truth, and someone who is willing to say, “I’m not the right fit,” when that’s the case.

Where My Clients Come From (And Why Referrals Matter)

While my social media presence helps with visibility, the majority of my business still comes through referrals and repeat engagements.

“Consulting is a relationship-based business. Trust (not algorithms) is what builds a client base.”

Video content, like my YouTube channel, helps leaders get a “vibe check” before reaching out. But the real growth comes from doing great work and building long-term partnerships.

The Real Bottleneck: Me (and Most Leaders)

One of the most honest moments in the podcast came when we talked about bottlenecks.

“I am definitely the bottleneck. My energy and my desire to not feel spammy can all get in my way.”

Like many small business owners, I wear all the hats—delivery, sales, marketing, bookkeeping. Staying consistent with outreach while doing high-quality client work is a constant balancing act.

But consistency matters. Building trusting relationships takes time and requires showing up.

What’s Ahead: Scaling Through Accessible, Practical Tools

Over the next 6–12 months, my focus is on making Seven Ways Consulting easier to find, easier to determine fit, and easier to refer. That includes:

• Strengthening online presence and messaging

• Expanding video content

• Offering approachable, tangible leadership tools

My book—Even Better Leadership: Provocative Reflections to Guide Improvement—is a big part of that. Many leaders want development they can do at their own pace, and the book provides that entry point.

I’m also building a workshop series based on the book’s content, making the ideas more actionable for teams.

And yes—I’m aiming high.

“Ultimately, I want to grow Seven Ways to $2 million a year. That means experimenting, stretching, and doing things that feel outside my comfort zone.”

If Money Were No Object… (A Fun Thought Experiment)

When Jae asked what I’d invest in with unlimited resources, my answer was immediate:

“I’d purchase a dedicated event space—an environment designed specifically for learning and transformational work.”

Leadership development requires you to step outside your day-to-day environment. A space curated for creativity, reflection, and experimentation would make that possible at an entirely new level.

The Future of Leadership Development in an AI World

Yes, AI is changing everything, but I’m not worried.

“I’m not threatened by AI because leaders don’t struggle to find answers—they struggle to apply them.”

Leaders don’t need more information. They need support translating ideas into action, navigating change, and building habits that last. That’s where human coaching remains irreplaceable.

Final Thoughts

This conversation with Jae was an energizing deep dive into why I do this work and where Seven Ways Consulting is going. At the heart of everything is a simple belief:

Leadership gets better when leaders feel supported, trusted, challenged, and equipped.

If this resonates, let’s talk. I work with senior leaders who want sharper clarity, stronger teams, and real movement on the goals that matter. Reach out to explore how we can work together—and what “even better” could look like in your organization.