CASE STUDY: Driving Connection – How Steve Helped Unite a Scattered, Diverse Team

Client: Sheri Kortgaard, Owner of a specialized funeral transport company across Alberta and Saskatchewan

Learn More about Sheri & Platinum Transfer

A Growing Business, A Fractured Team

Sheri Kortgaard runs a company with a uniquely human mission – transporting deceased loved ones with dignity and care.  But with six locations across two provinces and a workforce spanning diverse generations, cultures, and motivations, the leadership team was struggling to stay connected.

“We weren’t one team. We were six islands.”

Silos had formed.  Communication was spotty   Managers weren’t aligned.  And as the business grew, so did the strain.

Building the Leadership Toolbox

Steve stepped in to help Sheri assess where the company was and where it needed to go.  He launched a leadership effectiveness survey that pulled no punches.  The results are some affirming, many surprising, and all deeply valuable.

“Steve helped me see what I couldn’t and gave me the tools to do something about it.”

He didn’t bring easy answers.  He brought clarity, structure, and support   And he coached Sheri and her team through real, lasting change.

A Retreat that Changed Everything

The breakthrough came during a four-day leadership retreat Steve designed and facilitated.  The retreat took the team out of their day-to-day grind and into honest conversation.

There were team-building sessions, personality mapping, deep reflection, and a fireside “airing of grievances” that cleared years of quiet resentment.

“That retreat changed everything. It created bonds that distance had made impossible.”

For the first time, a manager in Prince Albert could call someone in Calgary and say, “Hey, how did you handle this?” The team stopped operating in silos and started working as one.

Real coaching.  Real results.

Steve’s style is direct, warm, and unwavering.  He listens deeply.  He challenges respectfully, And he keeps people accountable without judgment.

“He supports you when it’s hard and reminds you what you’re capable of.”

Today, Sheri’s business runs with more cohesion, trust, and clarity.  Managers have a shared language   Staff feel heard.  And what once felt overwhelming is now grounded in structure and support.

Coaching with Strength and Sensitivity

As a woman entrepreneur leading a complex, emotionally demanding company, Sheri needed more than a coach – she needed a guide.  Steve showed up with honesty, empathy, and no ego.

“Steve’s an old-school army guy, but he’s not stuck in old ways. He’s inclusive, compassionate, and deeply respected by everyone on my team – no matter their background.”

From tough HR moments to cultural friction, Steve created space for resolution and growth.  His presence gives the team a third party they can trust and a compass for navigating the hard stuff.

“Steve helped us build something stable and sustainable.”