Disguise, a platform for creatives to deliver spectacular visual experiences at live and immersive events.
I started Disguise in 2017, a development of a previous software design studio that I’d been bought in to lead. I had a really good coach who’d been making it easier for me work with the founder of the previous incarnation of the firm, who was quite hands on. But I wanted to switch my focus to really growing this business. When I first met Phil, in 2018, I told him I intended to build a unicorn. He said he could help.
Since then, he’s assisted in delivering a strategy to diversify revenue streams, including switching Disguise from a product-led to a platform-led business.
He helped me find the practical skills and emotional tools I needed to manage an ever-growing staff and customer base, including dealing with some negative relationships. He made me more decisive, too.
Phil has become our coach in residence, working with the senior Exec team. He has helped them to lift up their individual performance and to gel as unit to drive growth in the business.
Where we are finding relations in the team difficult, Phil has acted as a mediator. I’m a very dominant, outspoken person and people used to find it difficult to question my strategy. Phil has created a dynamic in our C-suite where everybody can share their ideas, speak up, commit to a shared plan and then move forward. A big part of this is getting me to calm down and give people space!
He’s also helped me to stop obsessing over the day to day. Of course, I can execute and operate. But Phi’s made me realise that that was me 15 years ago. I don’t have to prove it anymore. He’s shown me that my greatest value to the company is connecting the dots and selling big ideas and strategy. To become a true inspirational leader.
He’s such a healthy guy, always portraying an image of “slow down, be mindful”.
We talk about our kids and more personal stuff and he’s helped me find a nice balance on that side of things, too.
He allowed me to identify my zone of genius, too. I’m good at fast, analytical thinking and motivating people to feel they are part of a movement for change, for instance. I live within that zone of genius far more now, rather than trying to be too many different things to different people.”
Disguise since working with Phil
Phil has also worked with most of the senior team to build up the executives as an effective unit.
Contact me today to discuss how we can tailor a partnership to best suit your unique challenges and opportunities.
It all starts with a cup of coffee — whether in person or virtually.