Develop Leaders. Transform Teams. Multiply Impact.

Great leadership isn’t theory—it’s action. Equip your leaders with tools to build trust, create ownership, and drive lasting impact.

Photo by Kalen Jesse Photography

Strong Teams Don’t Happen By Accident

Leadership training isn’t about theory—it’s about what leaders actually do every day. As a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member, I help leaders step up with real tools to influence, communicate, and create accountability that sticks. When leaders own their role, teams thrive—and organizations finally see the results they’ve been chasing.

Other Ways To Work With Michelle

1-on-1 Coaching

For leaders who want clarity, confidence, and the tools to lead authentically. Together, we’ll craft an action-plan to cut through the noise, challenge your old habits, and build a leadership style that’s both effective and impacful.

Keynote Speaking

Talks that inspire audiences to think bigger, act bolder, and lead stronger. Your group will walk away motivated and equipped with practical strategies they can apply immediately—not just feel-good inspiration that fades.

Trusted by Leaders and Teams Across Industries

I’m Michelle Gruening, a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member who believes strong leadership changes everything. With over 20 years of experience leading elite customer experience teams at Walt Disney World, Starbucks, and a global SaaS company, I know firsthand what it takes to build leaders and teams that deliver results.

I believe everyone has the potential to be a leader if they’re willing to step up. Managing is not the same as leading—and my work is focused on helping people move beyond management to become the kind of leaders others want to follow.

Today, I partner with organizations and individuals to cut through the noise, build influence, and create cultures of accountability. Whether I’m delivering leadership training, coaching one-on-one, or speaking on stage, my mission is simple: equip leaders with practical tools that create stronger teams and measurable results.

Photo by Kalen Jesse Photography

What my clients are saying:

  • Engaging and Actionable Frameworks

    “Michelle has a gift for making big ideas feel totally doable! The examples in her talk were real and relatable. If you’re growing a business or just navigating a new season in life, Michelle’s framework is GOLD! She’s the kind of speaker who makes you laugh, reflect, and leave with actual tools to put into action!”

    Lizzy Moffett, Lizzy Moffett Designs

  • Practical + Transformative Guidance

    “I have been so lucky to work with Michelle Gruening over the last year and a half. From the very first session, Michelle created a warm, welcoming environment that made me feel comfortable and understood. Her approach is compassionate, yet highly practical—helping me uncover behaviors about myself while giving strategies to achieve my goals.

    As a small business owner, it is so nice to have someone in your corner to listen, question and devise a plan. Changing thinking patterns and actions is difficult enough to do by yourself, but to know you have another viewpoint is so amazing! Whether it was goal-setting, time management, or overcoming self-doubt, I always left our sessions feeling like I had a clear path forward.

    My time with Michelle is invaluable and has gotten rid of stressful situations that I found myself in over and over. I have received such great support and am continuing to grow, both personally and as a business owner.”

    Renee Johnson, Orangetheory Fitness Franchise Owner

  • 5x Business Growth

    “Earlier this year I decided to invest in myself. Michelle is worth every penny. My personal growth this year has been extraordinary and it has spilled over into every part of my life, even my business. I have grown my client base five times what it was this time last year. And the best part is, I can handle the growth because I have grown personally. I’ve become stronger in boundary setting, self-awareness, and goal accomplishing. I’m so thankful for her.”

    Lisa Leanne, Owner of Esthetics with Love Salon and Spa

  • Increased Confidence + Productivity

    “MG Coaching has been such an asset to my business journey. Michelle is knowledgeable, professional and truly cares about my growth as a business owner. She has guided me through the peaks + pits of entrepreneurship, while providing me with the proper tools to move forward in the future. Michelle has pushed me out of my comfort zone (many times) both personally & professionally by encouraging me to set goals and hold myself accountable, all while being intentional and enjoying the process of entrepreneurship. My confidence is at an all-time high because Michelle has helped me develop skills to help take my business to the next level. My profits + productivity have grown so much over the past year and that is truly a reflection of MG Coaching’s guidance and support.”

    Katy Brosious, Owner of King Interior Designs

  • Reclaimed Control + Focus

    “Working with Michelle has been extremely transformative and restorative for how I view myself and the world around me. After enduring some major life changes, I no longer viewed myself as the person in charge of my life. I didn’t feel confident in my choices and I felt stuck and ambivalent about my next steps. Michelle met me without judgment, listened to me, and guided me through understanding what I really wanted out of my life. Having accountability with other people who are aspiring to improve themselves offers comfort and reassurance that I am making progress. Now, I’m pursuing a career path that I want, I’m setting boundaries, and I’m focused on self-care. It’s been a 180 from how I started the year!”

    Chauntée Clark, Fintech + Risk Management Consultant

  • Personal and Professional Focus

    “I joined MG Coaching looking for professional growth and training. Not only did it deliver on that promise, but it also exceeded my expectations. Michelle's coaching has helped me find my focus both in my personal and professional life. I better understand my strengths and how to use them. I feel supported, heard, and challenged to always take the next step in my journey for growth. This has been a reset for my frame of mind and my vision. I feel more at peace and centered, which has allowed me greater growth both personally and professionally. I would strongly recommend MG Coaching’s training to anyone who is looking for growth, guidance, and support in any facet of life.”

    Stephanie Arthur, Creative Works

  • Clarity + Systems Implementation

    “Between her hearing my words and repeating them back to me so I slow down and hear myself, books she’s recommended, the accountability, and mindset shifts that were so necessary, my mindset has made a huge change. She’s helped me hone in on and implement systems that I desperately needed, and she’s helped me see what I need and what I actually don’t.

    She’s one of the reasons I’m still an agent and a successful [real estate] agent. I truly can’t recommend her enough. I cant imagine anyone working with her who doesn’t improve and reach their goals. She really is that good!”

    Ruthie Graham, eXp Realty

  • Prioritized Energy + Growth

    “MG Coaching’s training is not just a conversation, there is work every week to push ourselves, our boundaries, and grow our skills and mindset for our growth journey. We are held accountable for doing the work and I have more focus and clarity across the important things, and I know where to place my energy.”

    Shawn Hackett, Capabilities Lead + CRM at Conagra Brands

Working with me is simple.

Step One

Book A Discovery Call

We’ll identify the type of support that fits best—whether that’s leadership training for your team, 1:1 coaching for yourself, or a keynote that inspires your audience. This is your chance to get clarity, define direction, and make a plan.

Step Two

Choose To Take Action

Your perfect pathway might look like leadership training for your team, 1:1 coaching, or a keynote that sparks change. Whatever it is, we’ll nail it down—and then get to work creating extraordinary results.

Step Three

Deliver With Impact

Growth doesn’t happen by accident—it happens when leaders stop managing and start leading. With the right training, coaching, or keynote, you’ll see confidence rise, ownership deepen, and results you can’t ignore.