Here’s our interview with Michael Schreiber, Strategist and Business Coach, about his rules for success.

Michael is a strategist and business coach with a performance, communication, and systems thinking background. His work helps individuals, teams, and organizations move beyond rigid roles to find more natural and dynamic ways to grow and contribute. His interests have followed a clear progression—starting with the individual, expanding to the community, and then outward to larger systems. Michael began in the performing arts, first developing his own ability to communicate with clarity and presence, then coaching others to do the same. As his focus shifted from individuals to ensembles, Michael Schreiber moved into directing, becoming increasingly interested in the creative process of storytelling and the structures supporting artists and communities.

Michael Schreiber’s Background

Transitioning into coaching, strategy, and leadership development was natural–everything Michael Schreiber learned from the arts applied to his professional life. He helped individuals build capacity and shape roles that truly fit them. He guided teams to work in more adaptive, dynamic ways. And he’s increasingly focused on how organizations serve and enliven the ecosystems they’re nested within.

Mindmap

Michael Schreiber Questions and Discussions

Here’s a bullet-point summary of the questions and discussions from our interview with Michael:

1. Introduction to Michael Schreiber

• Joseph Varghese introduces Michael Schreiber as a business, communication, and leadership coach.
• They connected through mutual circles and formed a close relationship, with Michael coaching Joseph on improving communication.
• Michael is recognized for helping individuals and businesses move beyond rigid roles into more dynamic and effective interactions.

2. Michael’s Philosophy on Coaching

• Rejects traditional labels like “expert” or “authority” as they can strip individuals of their own agency.
• Believes in unlocking people’s natural abilities and helping them navigate dynamic situations rather than providing one-size-fits-all solutions.
• Michael Schreiber focuses on enabling people to tap into their own wisdom, making them more adaptable and resilient.

3. Transition from Acting to Business Coaching

• Originally studied acting and found a passion for helping others express themselves authentically.
• Transitioned into directing and later coaching performers, which naturally led to business coaching.
• Sees business interactions as performances where authenticity and adaptability are key to success.

4. Applying Performance Skills to Business & Sales

• Sales and leadership are performances in their own right—requiring presence, adaptability, and effective communication.
• Uses his background in theater and communication to help clients refine their sales techniques.
• Conducts sales call reviews, analyzing where people lose connection or create friction in conversations.
• Advocates for active listening and alignment with a prospect’s needs rather than rigidly following sales scripts.

5. Personal Growth & Overcoming Challenges

• Shared a pivotal moment when he was conned out of a large sum of money, leading to bankruptcy and the passing of his father.
• This hardship forced him to develop deeper self-awareness and emotional resilience, which later influenced his coaching.
• Highlights the importance of processing and releasing tension to move forward in life and business.

6. The Role of Tension in Communication & Leadership

• Tension is the enemy of effective communication and leadership.
• Recognizing and releasing tension in conversations allows for deeper connections and better decision-making.
• Michael Schreiber gave an example of a public speaker with MS who failed to acknowledge a moment of personal struggle, losing an opportunity for authentic engagement.

7. Impact of Personal Development on Professional Growth

• Personal growth directly correlates with business success and leadership effectiveness.
• Michael encouraged individuals to continually refine their self-awareness and let go of outdated beliefs.
• Emphasizes the power of adaptability and not being overly attached to past methods or rigid identities.

8. Energy & Presence in Leadership

• Discusses how people are drawn to those who hold space effectively and radiate a sense of calm.
• Shared a practice of breathing in negative energy and releasing calmness, which made people naturally gravitate toward him.

9. Practical Tips & Final Thoughts from Michael Schreiber

• Encourages people to trust their instincts and stop looking externally for all the answers.
• Recommends refining personal awareness and recognizing the power of small shifts in mindset and behavior.
• Advocates for self-trust, integrity, and taking responsibility for one’s presence in any professional setting.

Michael Schreiber’s coaching is a unique blend of performance, communication, and business strategy. His ability to analyze sales calls and leadership challenges through the lens of performance sets him apart. By focusing on unlocking natural communication abilities, he helps individuals and businesses engage more authentically, improving their overall effectiveness. His clients gain not only technical skills but also a deeper sense of self-trust, allowing them to perform at a higher level in any professional setting.

Whether it’s navigating high-stakes sales conversations or leading a team, if you want to foster an environment of clarity, connection, and momentum, contact Michael Schreiber and understand that business and leadership are not about rigid structures but about dynamic interactions. Go to https://michaelschreiber.com.

Onward and Upwards,

Joseph