Cornerstone Leadership Solutions is the Midwest’s center for influential leadership and organizational development. They are a resource for business owners, CEOs, executives, entrepreneurs, or anyone who wants to become a peak performer while driving the performance of their organization to its full potential. Nat Crawford is the President of Cornerstone Leadership Solutions.
Tell us a little about your business. – Our primary purpose is to help move our clients from success to significance by helping them do what they do better than anyone else. Whether it’s a need for a new company culture to drive employee engagement, executive coaching to peak performance, strategic planning to achieve organizational goals or a keynote address to motivate your team, we are at your service.
How did you get started in the business? – John Roberts, CEO and owner of Cornerstone, and I have been friends for about 5 years. He and I led some mission trips together. During that time he saw in me a desire to grow professionally and to add value to other people. Knowing our skills and abilities complemented each other’s, he brought me on board.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – I believe one of the biggest challenges in our industry is getting people to deal with their behavior skills over their technical skills. Organizations focus so much effort on industry or division specific training. However, they overlook behavior skills which are the fundamental leverage point that drives organizational performance. If an organization can figure out how to grow its people and their capacity first, the business will naturally follow.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – We’ve been intimately involved with 26 of Nebraska’s hospitals in creating a Culture By Design™. One aspect of our business is helping shape the culture of an organization. By consulting and walking alongside these hospitals, we’ve seen the consistent increase in HCAP scores, employee engagement increase, and patient satisfaction grow as well. Since I’ve had a son consistently at Children’s in Omaha, I know the importance of peak performing (and caring) organizations.
Tell me a little about your family. – They are my pride and my joy. My beautiful and talented wife of 11 years, Tiffany, is a stay-at-home mom. We have three sons: Simon, Landon, and Gracen. We are heavily involved in our church and we also love being outdoors, playing board games, and exploring and adventuring.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – I’m wrapping up a Master’s degree, so outside of being with my family, the answer is study? As I recall, before I began grad work, I saw friends, watched movies, and even played video games.
What are you the most proud of? – My family. They are a testament to the grace of God!
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I’m an apologist at First Free Church in Lincoln. I help provide answers to those challenging questions about life, the universe and faith.
Which talent would you most like to have? – I’d like to learn how to play the bagpipes!
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – Pro wrestling or a restaurateur.
What is your favorite local restaurant? – This is like asking which child is my favorite! I can give three fav’s: The Oven, Honest Abe’s, and Yia Yia’s.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – Give me a call at (402) 421-2356, email me at ncrawford@cornerstone-leadership.com, or visit our website at www.cornerstone-leadership.com.