Building Trust (and Clients) at the Highest Levels with Achim Nowak

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mewFVYOGxCg

I couldn’t think of a better person to kick off The Business of Trust podcast than my friend and mentor, Achim Nowak.

Achim has a client roster that will make your jaw drop—Takeda, Owens Corning, WinTrust, and more. He’s an executive coach, a two-time TEDx speaker, and the author of four books. But beyond all that, what really stands out about Achim is how he’s built his business: through deep relationships, authentic connection, and the champions who’ve carried his name into boardrooms across the world.

In this episode, Achim and I talk about how he transitioned from being a theater director to running a leadership training company, and eventually into executive coaching. He shares the story of his first client, the ethical dilemma he faced with a non-compete, and how that relationship became the start of a career built on trust.

We also dive into:

1. How he landed his first client
2. The power of champions who carry you through your entire career
3. Why he refuses to chase strangers when his existing network keeps referring him
4. His simple exercise for anyone starting out: "Write down 20 people who believe in you..."

If you’re a coach or consultant looking to grow your business, this conversation will remind you that your next best client will probably come from the relationships you’ve already built.

Connect with Achim

https://achimnowak.com/

https://myfourthact.com/