Mike Ungar
Mike Ungar is a Certified FocalPoint Business Coach and Executive Coach with over 40 years of experience in a variety of continuous improvement, operations, finance, human resource, and leadership roles. He believes strongly that one’s legacy lies with one’s family. He makes a difference by helping others achieve their full potential.
What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before starting your corporate journey/venture/initiative.
I grew up in Denver, Colorado. I had the good fortune of being able to walk back and forth from school each day. I enjoyed academics and athletics and was involved in school clubs and activities. I was not sure about what I wanted to study in University. I took an interest survey when I was a Junior in High School and my likes and dislikes closely matched those of a military officer. I applied to the United States Military Academy, was accepted, and decided to explore this great opportunity. I think back now about how I got this opportunity and think how lucky I was to have pursued it.
Every industry that is now a large-scale, top-notch business once started as a small idea in the minds of entrepreneurs. What was that idea or motivation that made you start your business /initiative? What motivated you within to say YES, go for it!”
I had always committed to myself that I would enjoy what I did everyday. I found my corporate role was no longer motivating me. I thought about what I had enjoyed through the years and settled on coaching. I had never started my own business before, but my success at Michelin gave me the confidence that I could succeed in a completely different role if I just put my mind to it. So I stepped out of the corporate role and started my own coaching business.
Tell us something about your initiative or current role. What is it about, and what impact are you trying to make?
As a Certified Business and Executive Coach at FocalPoint, I partner with business leaders and entrepreneurs to help them turn their potential into reality. I leverage my expertise in strategy, management, and diversity to enable my clients to achieve their business and personal goals.
I specialize in providing business performance coaching and training for both experienced and emerging leaders, using proven methods and tools that deliver results. My mission is to empower my clients to overcome their challenges, improve their skills, and enjoy maximum success.
Your journey and your vision are very inspiring, but are there any achievements or accomplishments you would like to mention?
I am a husband of 38 years (and counting), a proud father of two, and a proud grandfather for three amazing grandchildren. I am a graduate of the United State Military Academy and a proud member of the Class of 1980, the first West Point class to graduate women as part of the class. I obtained the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt when I was working for Michelin in France from Ecole Polytechnique in Paris.
Would you like to share with our young budding women entrepreneurs the change you would like to see in the world if given an opportunity?
I would hope that each individual is taught to believe in themselves so that they can be true to who they are and that they also have the freedom to exist as their true self.
Women are a growing force in the workplaces worldwide, standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. There are cracks in glass ceilings everywhere, with many women breaking through to carve out a space right at the top of the pyramid. What are your thoughts about women leadership today?
Leadership is not a gender trait. It is so very important that there are women in leadership roles in all walks of life. I believe strongly in the moniker, “If you can see it, you can be it.” We want to see people like ourselves in leadership roles to add confidence that each of us can achieve similar accomplishments. We need to continue to put people in leadership roles based upon their skills and competencies and develop these skills and competencies in other young women so that they are prepared to replace today’s women and men leaders.
What would you want to say to our young women leaders/audience reading this?
Believe in yourself and your abilities. Surround yourself with people who also believe in you and will support your pursuit of your dreams and ambitions.