About Megan Patton
Megan Patton is a business strategist who has spent most of her career as a management consultant, training and development leader, and executive leadership coach. Her passion lies in the team and leader development, always aligning with company strategy. Today, Megan works with company owners and leaders to define and implement strategies that enable peak performance and growth.
The development of next-generation leaders is a personal passion for Megan. She runs multiple leadership programs within client companies and holds an MBA, as well as certifications in Leadership Development, DISC, the Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team, and the One Page Business Plan System Methodology. Megan also serves as a Director and an Officer on the Board of NAWBO.
Blue Ocean: Could you tell us about your professional journey—what inspired you to pursue this industry?
Megan Patton: My first post-college experience was as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal. I taught English and worked with local teachers on curriculum development and new teaching techniques. I lived there for almost four years and absolutely loved it.
When I returned to the U.S., I spent about a year and a half working at Peace Corps headquarters in Washington, DC. Soon after, I had the opportunity to work with my older brother, who had just left corporate America to start his own company. At the time, I was planning to pursue my MBA, and he invited me to work with him while applying to business school. I spent about a year helping him hire staff and learning what it takes to build and grow a company. He promised I’d learn more in that year than business school, but he still encouraged me to get my MBA. In the end, I got the best of both worlds.
After business school, I joined a consulting firm focused on strategy in the steel industry. I was the only woman in a very male-dominated company, which was challenging but invaluable. It taught me how to not only create strategy but also integrate it throughout the company and truly live it.
Next, I was hired by a larger consulting firm, what we now call one of the Big Four, where I was a consultant in process improvement, people development, and education. That work took me around the world, including a year in Moscow, Russia. I loved helping companies figure out how to improve, engage their people, and build capability.
I took a break when I had my third child. I stayed home for about six years until my youngest was in school. Then I joined my father, who had retired as a CEO and was consulting locally. Working with him, some of my siblings, and close friends was incredibly rewarding. Eventually, he fully retired and passed the company to me. I rebranded and continued to grow it.
Along the way, I discovered NAWBO, the National Association of Women Business Owners. I joined my local chapter as a new business owner, and even though I hadn’t started the company, I’d taken it over. I quickly became very involved as a volunteer.
During COVID, two women I met through NAWBO, both accountants who wanted to shift into strategy, approached me for advice. That’s one thing I love about NAWBO because it’s collaborative, not competitive. They asked for guidance instead of seeing me as competition. Together, we brainstormed and eventually incorporated a new company: Beyond Strategy Partners. Working with these two aligned owners, who share my values and vision about client success, has been phenomenal.
Blue Ocean: What does a typical day in your life look like?
Megan Patton: I don’t really have a typical day, and that’s one of the things I love about my business.
About 90% of my client work is virtual. I was using Zoom long before COVID. Around 10 to 15% is in person, mainly for employee off-sites and strategic planning sessions. Those are often two or three-day deep dives into client goals, with a lot of team building, strategy work, and development of KPIs to align strategy, people, and finance. We work at the intersection of those three areas.
On an average day, I spend four to six hours on Zoom, plus time for research, writing, and networking. It’s dynamic and no two days look the same. Sometimes it feels a bit like playing goalie, managing different issues and perspectives coming at me at once.
Blue Ocean: Which emerging trends in your industry most excite you?
Megan Patton: AI is incredibly exciting. It’s amazing to see how it can help not only our clients but consultants as well. Some people worry AI will replace executive coaches, but at the level we work at, the human element is still essential.
Much of our work focuses on softer skills: communication, connection, team building, and cohesion. Those things require a human touch. I don’t see AI replacing that, but I do see it enhancing how we work and opening new possibilities.
Blue Ocean: What do you believe is the key to your success, and how do you stay ahead in such a competitive environment?
Megan Patton: For me, it always comes down to caring for the person. Whether it’s a company owner, the CEO, or someone on the team, the human element is central.
That human connection is our advantage because I genuinely care. I invest in my clients and their success. When they get promoted or achieve their goals, I feel proud. That authentic investment is what keeps us in business and doing well.
Blue Ocean: In your experience, what qualities separate those who excel in their field from those who don’t?
Megan Patton: The first is lifelong learning. I might be an expert in some areas, but I’ll never be an expert in all areas. I’m constantly reading, researching, and learning from other experts. Just always expanding our minds.
The second thing is mission before ego. Whether it’s your company’s mission or a personal one, you have to put the greater good first ahead of yourself.
Blue Ocean: How do you approach mentoring or guiding those who look up to you?
Megan Patton: It really depends on what they’re looking for. Often, it’s about listening and being a sounding board. I’ll share stories, but I rarely tell someone, “Do this,” aside from obvious situations. Everyone’s journey is unique, and I approach it with curiosity. I want to understand how their journey has been so far and what exactly they’re looking for in terms of mentoring or growth.
When I work with them, it’s not about giving all the answers, because the answers that worked for me might not work for them. Instead, I help them figure out the right questions to ask, brainstorm different opportunities, or explore alternate realities.
I also encourage people to dig into their “why.” I’ll ask, “Why do you want this? What drives you?” When people understand what they fundamentally want out of a career, a business, or the next step in life, getting into that why makes it much easier to carve a path forward.
Blue Ocean: What advice would you give to your younger self as you were starting your career in this multifaceted industry?
Megan Patton: Don’t worry so much about the trappings, such as titles and promotions, but to focus earlier on becoming a subject matter expert and on understanding the heart of people. I probably spent a few years worried about the wrong things.
When I started my own business, I realized I could give myself any title and call myself whatever I wanted. What mattered was how I was serving my clients and how I showed up as a servant leader. And that’s my passion.
Earlier in your career, it’s harder to demonstrate servant leadership because you’re often put into little boxes. I wish I had embraced it sooner.
Blue Ocean: What are you most grateful for, professionally or personally?
Megan Patton: I’m grateful for the chance to build my own business, and for the people who believed in me along the way. My brother and father both gave me opportunities early on and saw potential in me that I didn’t yet see in myself.
I’m also grateful for my husband’s support. In the early days of running my business, I wasn’t earning as much as I would at a large consulting firm, and he made sure our family was taken care of so I could pursue my dream. My kids, too, were patient and understanding. I couldn’t have done it without that support.
Blue Ocean: What’s one lesson in life that changed your perspective?
Megan Patton: Life is short. I’ve already lost three of my siblings, and both my parents are gone. Losing my siblings too early taught me not to take time for granted. We can’t keep putting things off and assume there will always be a “next year.”
We can’t do everything all at once, but we can go back to our hearts and focus on what’s most meaningful. It’s never too early to think about the legacy you want to leave — how you want to impact your family, children, neighbors, or clients. Start living in that mode. Don’t let the big things slide. Take care of them when you have the chance — whether it’s going on a bucket list trip, repairing a relationship, or telling someone you love them.
I’ve become more intentional about expressing appreciation. I tell my friends I love them, I write handwritten notes, I send cards. These things cost little or nothing, but they can mean a great deal to someone else.
Blue Ocean: Is there a particular quote or piece of advice that has guided you through your career?
Megan Patton: Always keep learning. Keep an open mind, keep studying, keep reading, and exposing yourself to new things, new technologies, and new ways of thinking. Set your ego aside and lead with your heart. Don’t worry so much about how other people see you. If you lead with heart, your light will shine.
Blue Ocean: What hobbies or interests help you maintain a balanced lifestyle outside of work?
Megan Patton: I’ve had different ones throughout various phases of my life. For about 10 years, I was on a recreational rowing team, which was so much fun to be in an eight-woman shell. I also enjoy walking, hiking, and exploring new places.
My guilty pleasure is reading novels. I sometimes call it “mind candy.” It’s a way to immerse myself in an imaginary world with characters I can follow, without having to think too much.
Conclusion
For Megan Patton, what truly matters is how she serves her clients and leads with humility. Her passion lies in caring deeply for the people she works with. She believes in putting ego aside, leading with heart and trusting that when you do, your light will shine.
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