ABOUT
ASCENT COACHING & CONSULTING
Hi, I'm ALLEN L. ABBOTT, MS MBA ACC
Coach, advisor, recovering ladder climber
I spent years following the default script: work harder, earn more, move up. I moved into senior roles, helped grow a company from a small team into a large operation, and checked a lot of traditional career boxes.
It worked, until it did not.
The higher I climbed, the clearer it became that “more” is not a strategy. It is just more. I watched capable people burn themselves out chasing goals they never stopped to question. I did some of that myself.
Now I help people do it differently.
My work is most rewarding when...
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An executive realizes they don't have to - nor should they - grind themselves into the ground to succeed.
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Seeing someone break free from the trap of overwork and actually enjoy their lives they have worked to build.
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Helping people get off of the "more is better" treadmill. Data tells us this is a fool's errand.
What I Bring
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Experience as a Director, EVP, and COO in high-growth, entrepreneur driven, financial services companies.
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Current work as an Organizational Development Consultant and Executive Coach in a major academic medical campus that brings in $3 Billion in anual revenue to the state of Colorado.
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Founder of Ascent Partners, focused on leadership development, strengths based coaching, and strategic planning.
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Training in psychology, an Executive MBA, and an MS in Organizational Development.
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CliftonStrengths coaching certification.
How I Work
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Whole person focus: work, relationships, money, and health all matter.
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Strengths aware: we use what is already strong instead of obsessing only on weaknesses.
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Direct and kind: I will not sugar coat, and I will not shame you.
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Practical: big ideas only count if they survive contact with your calendar, your team, and your family.
1. LEARNER
2. HARMONY
3. CONTEXT
4. RELATOR
5. INTELLECTION
(The Rest of the Top 10: 6. INPUT 7. POSITIVITY 8. CONSISTENCY 9. CONNECTEDNESS 10. DEVELOPER )
University Education
MS, Organizational Development
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS at DALLAS
"Scholar of High Distinction"
The Master of Science in Leadership and Organizational Development (w/ emphasis in Exec. Coaching) degree program explores essential issues associated with leadership and human systems to conduct planned interventions, using the behavioral-science knowledge that will increase an organization’s effectiveness and health. (ACTP Accreditation)
MBA, International Business (APAC)
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI - KANSAS CITY
Graduated Beta Gamma Sigma
The mission of the Bloch Executive MBA Program is to transform leaders through a rigorous team-based experience, allowing them to see their world differently with an integration of strategic, innovative, global, and civic perspectives. This community of leaders is equipped to create value and impact for our organizations, our city, and the world.
BS, Psychology
ROCKHURST UNIVERSITY
The psychology major at Rockhurst University fosters both scientific and critical thinking. The program promotes the application of research methods to understand how and why organisms do what they do. The major is designed to familiarize students with several different areas of psychology.
Key Certifications
CERTIFIED CLIFTONSTRENGTHS COACH - Gallup
CliftonStrengths is a game-changer in coaching because it shifts the focus from fixing weaknesses to maximizing strengths. Rather than a one-size-fits-all leadership model, it provides a deeply personalized roadmap for growth based on what you naturally do best. By identifying and harnessing core talents, leaders gain greater self-awareness, make more aligned decisions, and build high-performing teams with complementary strengths.
ASSOCIATE CERTIFIED COACH - International Coaching Federation
The ACTP-certified Coaching Program from the University of Texas at Dallas is one of the most rigorous and respected coaching certifications available. As an Accredited Coach Training Program (ACTP) under the International Coaching Federation (ICF), it meets the highest industry standards for professional coaching. This certification emphasizes evidence-based coaching methodologies, ethical practice, and real-world application, equipping coaches to facilitate meaningful growth.
360 ASSESSMENT CERTIFIED - Center for Creative Leadership
The 360 Benchmark Certification from the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) is a powerful tool for leadership development, providing deep insights into a leader’s strengths, blind spots, and growth opportunities. This certification equips me with the expertise to administer and interpret CCL’s industry-leading 360-degree assessments, helping leaders gain a well-rounded perspective on their impact. By leveraging this data-driven approach, I guide executives in identifying key leadership behaviors, improving team dynamics, and driving meaningful, long-term change.
CRUCIAL CONVERSATIONS TRAINER - Crucial Learning
Backed by 30 years of social science, Crucial Conversations skills represent the standard in effective communication and the marker of high-performance individuals and organizations. Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue teaches nine research-backed skills through engaging video, interactive practice exercises, and personal application—making the learning both effective and lasting. Throughout the course, participants watch scenarios unfold, practice real‑world conversations, and share and receive immediate feedback with peers to internalize the skills.