Sounding Board (2)
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Experience a more meaningful mentorship program that pairs you with an experienced, tenured Small Giant leader who understands the challenges of building a purpose-driven business.

What is the Small Giants Sounding Board?

Sounding Board is a transformative business leader mentorship program designed to help purpose-driven leaders (like you!) navigate challenges, unlock growth, and build enduring businesses. Through this paid program, you’ll be paired with a mentor who will provide guidance, support, and accountability as you pursue your goals.

Sounding Board (4)
Sounding Board (3)

Benefits of Sounding Board’s Peer Mentorship Program

Trust is the foundation of any strong relationship, especially for a business mentorship. Small Giants Sounding Board guarantees you’ll connect with a mentor who shares your values and can bring an outside perspective that will lend clarity to your own personal vision. In these structured, monthly one-on-one meetings, your mentor will help you problem-solve day-to-day issues, create a sense of personal accountability, and deepen your servant-leadership practices. 

How Sounding Board Works

We take great care to match you to mentors who will compliment your personal values, growth goals, and business industry.

  • Compatibility is Key

    Share a bit about you, your business, your goals, and your working style in an in-depth application and assessment. This will help your mentor understand how to best help you develop and grow. 

  • Monthly Meetings

    Meet with your mentor monthly, following a set agenda to get the most out of your time, and discuss personal or professional updates, review your progress, and document new action items.

  • Navigate Growth and Change

    Learn from the experience of your mentor over a 12-month commitment. Your mentor will quickly build trust and act as a sounding board as you tackle your business or leadership challenges together.

  • More Than Just a Mentor
    Your mentor is not only a personal and trusted sounding board, but a partner who will keep you on track and accountable to your goals. 
  • A Community of Support
    As a participant in Sounding Board, you’ll get access to virtual meet ups and special events with peers on a similar journey.
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Praise for the Small Giants Sounding Board

  • "By asking thoughtful questions and listening intently to my responses, Lance has helped me identify professional areas of growth. He has the unique ability to actively listen while coupling his feedback with action-oriented advice. Lance leads from a place of understanding and genuine care. I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn and grow under his counsel."

    Bridget Falco

    Bridget Falco

    Mentee, Director of Inside Sales and Operations, Alpine Power Systems

  • "Through the Small Giants Sounding Board, I’ve been exposed to best-in-class practices and have met business owners further along in the journey, offering invaluable mentorship and insight. Their experiences and guidance have helped me navigate the complexities of building a mission-driven company."

    Dan Grech

    Dan Grech

    Mentee, Founder/CEO of BizHack Academy

  • "The Sounding Board Program has brought even more joy to my own leadership journey. I get such pleasure in hearing my mentee's leadership challenges and being able to validate and encourage her. It is fun to be able to give back in a way that honors all of the mentors I have had along the way."

    Jean Pitzo

    Jean Pitzo

    Mentor, CEO, Ace Metal Crafts

  • "Great to have access to a mentor who understands both people and performance! Real business experience mixed with wisdom about people, purpose, and vision is soooo valuable."

    Jean-Paul Lausell

    Jean-Paul Lausell

    Mentee, Organizational Coach, Thriving Systems Partners

  • "It has been a great pleasure to participate in the Sounding Board. What could be better than showing up to support another business leader who is anxious to invest in their growth and development?"

    Kevin Schnieders

    Kevin Schnieders

    Mentor, CEO, EDSI

  • "Sounding Board has been extraordinarily valuable for me. I get something out of each and every session. I love learning from like-minded leaders' lived experiences and the stories they have to share, and that's what this program is all about."

    Sam Adiv

    Sam Adiv

    Mentee, Founder/CEO, OpenTent

  • "Sounding Board was exactly what I needed as I began my first year as Executive Chair of the Knight Agency.  Having one-on-one access to someone who has built a company the right way is invaluable. My mentor was a great guy who was there to help."

    Marshall Lockton

    Marshall Lockton

    Mentee, Knight Agency

  • "The Sounding Board program has allowed me to develop a friendship with a business owner in a field different from mine. It is a program of mutual learning and mutual benefits."

    Tom Walter

    Tom Walter

    Mentor, Chief Culture Officer, Tasty Catering

    Get Started with Sounding Board

    What To Expect

    • Apply & Interview
      To start, we’ll get to know you with a Zoom chat and application, digging into the nuts and bolts of your organization, role, challenges, and opportunities you’re facing.

    • Acceptance
      We double-check all information to ensure an aligned fit across the board before accepting payment and formally welcoming you to Sounding Board.

    • Self-Assessment 
      To help support your matching process, fill out an assessment addressing your strengths and leadership style.

    • Meet & Greet
      Say hello to your potential mentor over Zoom! We’ll check in afterwards to ensure it’s a good match that you’re excited to move forward with.

    • Start Connecting 
      If all thumbs are up, your mentorship officially starts. You’ll have a final orientation call and then begin your monthly 1-on-1 meetings. 

    Frequently Asked Questions

    • Who is this program ideal for?
      Small Giants Sounding Board is perfect for purpose-driven leaders at all levels who are looking for one-on-one support and guidance from a mentor. Whether you're a seasoned executive or a rising leader, Sounding Board can match you with an ideal mentor.
    • What’s typically discussed in a mentorship session?
      No challenge is too big or too small! Mentees can bring topics related to your role, operations, strategy, people, work-life balance, or personal growth. Some mentees come with specific goals, while others know they want to improve and grow, and go from there.
    • What is unique about the Sounding Board mentorship program?
      Our program stands apart because our mentor bench is entirely made up of experienced practitioners, who have "been there, done that" and are looking to give back by supporting others. They’ll also be deeply aligned with the Small Giants philosophy as they share their real-world insights, so you can trust they understand your personal values and aspirations.
    • How do you select your mentors?
      Our mentors are experienced Small Giants leaders. They’re trusted members of the community, participated in our programs, embody our values, and have a proven track record of success. Basically, they’re some of our favorite, most trusted people—and we’re confident you’ll agree!
    • How do you make the mentor-mentee pairings?
      We get to know you through an in-depth application, assessment, and Zoom conversation. Based on your goals and needs, we carefully match you with a mentor who has relevant experience and a compatible leadership style.
    • Is the Small Giants Sounding Board a paid program?
      We believe that investing in yourself is one of the best decisions you can make.  Contact us to learn more about the Small Giants Sounding Board cost and how it can benefit your leadership journey.

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