By Marc C. Shaffer
Each year I set new goals and commit to something that will stretch me personally and professionally. Some of those commitments only last a season, while others become part of my long-term growth journey.
Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to participate in programs and groups like The LEADERs Institute, the Centurions Leadership Program, Rotary International, the Wabash Cannonball Steering Committee, writing a book, and serving on the board for Growing Futures Early Education Center.
Looking at this list, some people might think it is too much. But I try to be strategic about where I spend my time and energy, and I feel blessed that my role allows me to be involved in opportunities that shape me while giving back to others.
This year, one of those opportunities is joining Acumen.
What is Acumen?
Acumen is a community of CEOs, business owners, and executives who come together to grow in both life and leadership.
Founded by Dan Cooper, Acumen is designed to help leaders sharpen one another through peer advisory groups, one-on-one coaching, and shared experiences. Dan also wrote Sharpen – A Guide Book for Business Ownership and Adventures in Leadership, a book inspired by the wisdom of Proverbs and how it relates to leading a business with purpose.
What drew me to Acumen is its emphasis on weaving faith into business.
For me, that doesn’t mean pushing a message onto clients but rather keeping gratitude and purpose at the center of my work. It is about remembering the blessings that come with leadership and focusing on how business can be a force for good in humanity.
Why Acumen and Not Another Group?
I have missed the experience of being in a peer advisory group ever since my time with Mic Johnson’s informal “Introducing Awesome” group over 10 years ago. Many of the relationships from that group still remain strong today. One even grew into an excellent accountability partnership and a podcast co-hosting experience.
When considering where to plug back in, I looked at several options including Vistage, Entrepreneurs Organization, Accelerant, Young Professionals Organization, and HEMP. All of these groups have incredible coaches and offer powerful experiences. For me, Acumen stood out because:
- The schedule works with my commitments. Meetings run once a month from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM, which doesn’t overlap with our internal TACO Tuesday sessions focused on EOS (and yes, those days are full of good stuff… including tacos).
- The Growth Catalyst coach I work with, Billy Hodes, has firsthand experience buying, selling, and scaling businesses. While I’m not looking to buy or sell companies, I value learning from someone who has navigated those challenges successfully.
- I now have access to 14 other business owners who are in the trenches growing and scaling companies. Our meetings are part mastermind and part strategic advisory board, which gives me both new perspectives and practical takeaways.
Beyond the Meetings
Acumen also hosts quarterly gatherings where members and their leadership teams come together for high-energy learning, practical tools, and catalytic peer interaction. Once a year, the group also goes “off the grid” to step away from the daily grind and focus on renewal and vision. I’m excited to experience that with my new group.
Looking Ahead
I see Acumen as another step in my ongoing growth journey. It is an investment in myself, my company, and the people I get to serve. If you are interested in learning more about Acumen, I would be happy to connect you with the founder, Dan Cooper.