I recently completed 5on4 Group's Rising Leaders course. This course helped with both career growth and building confidence in becoming a successful leader. There were many skills of this program that I was able to take away, but the one that stands out the most was Goal Setting. I was able to incorporate these skills in my current role at work and my personal life. I am truly thankful for the opportunity to work with Ian Mathews and this amazing program! I highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to take their career and leadership skills to the next level!

I went through the Rising Leaders class and it was awesome! It helped me better understand leadership, especially if I decide to go that route. The best thing about 5on4 Group was that Ian uses creative ways to help you understand the topic, whether it be a personal story or movie reference.  Ian's delivery really helps the topic click!

Hi, my name is Jennifer! I recently completed Ian Mathews’ Rising Leader course, and I have to say, it was an incredible experience. This program has truly helped me build confidence in myself and empowered me to trust my own judgment instead of immediately turning to my manager for answers I’m capable of finding on my own. One of my favorite parts of the course was the “Hot Potatoes” week. I won’t give away any details, but it’s a concept that has stuck with me and influences how I approach challenges every day. Ian has a unique ability to make the material relatable to anyone, regardless of their role. He keeps things real, creates a comfortable environment for open discussion, and encourages questions about anything and everything. I highly recommend this course to anyone looking to grow professionally and take their career to the next level!

I recently completed the Rising Leaders course with Ian Mathews, and the experience and knowledge that I gained was everything that I could have hoped for. I learned new techniques that have not only brought out the best in me, but my co-workers around me as well. I noticed an immediate positive effect in my work and in our company due to the methods that we learned from Ian being implemented. I highly recommend this course for anyone who aspires to further their career and everyday life. Thank you!

Rising Leaders program was a fascinating experience, starting with Ian Mathews as our mentor. The structure of his program is incredible and makes you analyze and have more clarity in many different ways, not only professional experiences but also personal. Ian definitely encouraged me to come out of my caterpillar cocoon and took me out of my comfort zone.  This program challenged me to overcome my fears and helped me get closer to my team. It changed my mindset and perspective in some many levels, and every lesson makes an impact in so many ways.  I have improved confidence and communication when handling escalated situations. The best thing about 5on4 Group training is getting to meet new people and growing professionally and personally.

I am a new construction sales rep focused on growing both my production and my leadership abilities. I recently completed the Rising Leaders program, and it made a real difference in how I work. The training helped me reset my habits, clarify my priorities, and communicate with more confidence and intention. I feel more organized, more consistent, and better equipped to lead conversations with buyers and colleagues. The best part of working with the 5on4 Group is Ian Mathews. He is personable, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in your success. He takes big leadership concepts and explains them in a way that is simple to understand and easy to implement right away. He has a strong professional background and brings real credibility and insight to every session. I would recommend Rising Leaders to anyone who wants to level up their leadership skills and create meaningful change in their habits, mindset, and performance.

The training has helped me, and my organization, by sharpening leadership skills, improving best practices, and encouraging more efficient ways of working. What really stood out to me was the discussion-based format. Each session allowed us to bring in real, relevant scenarios from our day-to-day work, which made the lessons feel practical and applicable. I also appreciated that the groups included people from many different departments. Hearing their perspectives gave me a deeper understanding of what it takes to drive successful sales and support the company as a whole. Working with the 5on4 Group was a great experience. The conversations felt natural, and Ian Matthews had a unique ability to relate to everyone in the room. His style made the training feel supportive, validating, and very engaging. Overall, I found the program incredibly helpful and would highly recommend it to anyone looking to grow as a leader or strengthen collaboration across teams.

I recently completed the Leadership Essentials class with Ian Mathews at 5on4 Group. I found Ian to be extremely engaging with good energy on every call. The structure allows for participation from every person in the class and engaged discussions were common. The topics were broad and wide ranging so you could find nuggets of wisdom in each class. My particular favorites were the classes on interviewing, team evaluation, and delivering feedback. I would highly recommend this course to any aspiring manager.

As a purchasing manager working to grow my leadership skills, I’ve taken several classes with the 5on4 Group—and each one has built on the last to equip me with powerful, practical tools. The training has helped me reduce costs for my company, lead my team more effectively, communicate expectations clearly, and hold people accountable. One of the most valuable parts is the opportunity to discuss real-time challenges with Ian and benefit from his honest yet supportive feedback. His insight is both practical and motivating. If you’re serious about excelling in your career, these classes are a must!

Leadership isn’t just about building homes—it’s about building people. It’s about cultivating trust, fostering accountability, and casting a clear vision that others want to follow. Just like a well-built home depends on a solid foundation, a high-performing team depends on strong, intentional leadership. That’s why leadership development isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Ian Mathews with 5on4 Group has helped us lay the groundwork for a culture where people feel empowered to lead with clarity, communicate with purpose, and hold themselves and each other to a higher standard. His work with our management team has strengthened our alignment, elevated our leadership capacity, and reinforced the values that drive our success.

I went through 5on4 Group's "Rising Leaders" course. The program’s structure—especially the weekly meetings—created a strong sense of accountability and consistency that supported my growth throughout the course. The thoughtfully designed assignments challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and reflect more deeply on my career goals. These exercises provided clarity and direction, helping me align my actions with my long-term aspirations. While I’ve always valued a growth mindset in my annual goal-setting process, this class equipped me with practical tools and strategies to pursue those goals more effectively. Ian’s personal guidance helped translate intention into action, and I now feel better prepared to lead with purpose. Top Three Impactful Weeks Week 5: Hot Potatoes, Eisenhower Matrix, Dependency Problem. This week sparked a meaningful conversation with my manager about the tendency to delegate problems I’m capable of solving. It helped me shift toward a more solutions-oriented mindset and empowered me to take initiative. Using the Eisenhower Matrix, I was able to prioritize tasks more effectively, resulting in more focused and productive workdays. This experience strengthened my leadership style by emphasizing independence, accountability, and ownership. Week 7: More Feedback Is Not Always Better - This session reshaped my approach to feedback. I learned that quality, timing, and delivery matter more than quantity. I now focus on feedback that is: Specific and action-based Balanced, highlighting strengths and areas for growth Empowering, with clear suggestions for development I’ve also become more intentional about communication norms within my team, fostering a culture of trust, clarity, and continuous improvement. Week 9: Defining Non-Negotiables & Behavioral Interviewing Reflecting on past experiences helped me define my core professional values: Professionalism, Integrity, Confidentiality, Time Management, Growth Mindset, Collaboration, and Adaptability. I created behavioral interview questions aligned with these values using the STAR format. This approach ensures a more intentional and effective hiring process focused on long-term fit and accountability. The weekly cadence was ideal. It provided ample time to reflect, complete assignments, and engage in interviews without falling behind on work responsibilities.

Ian's program has made a significant impact on my leadership skills and the skills of my employees who have gone through his program. The training seamlessly aligns with my leadership style and how I like to see a team led. As a result, my team has learned how to communicate more effectively, take ownership of their tasks, and operate more efficiently. The best thing about working with 5on4 Group is Ian's ability to tailor his training to fit our specific needs and leadership style. Their approach has been instrumental in fostering a cohesive and high-performing team. I have personally been through Leadership Essentials and done 1-on-1 coaching with Ian. His insight and thought-provoking style have made me a better leader. Additionally, my team has benefited greatly from his leadership development program.

I have taken the Leadership Essentials and Rising Leaders courses. These courses have been pivotal in my career growth. They didn't just teach me how to manage people—they helped me become a professional manager. From learning how to hire the right people to making tough decisions around letting someone go, I now approach every part of my role with greater confidence and clarity. I learned how to coach my team toward growth, give feedback that actually drives performance, and handle difficult conversations with empathy and strength. 

Just as importantly, the courses taught me how to manage up—to communicate more effectively with senior leadership and influence strategically. Every lesson was grounded in real-world strategy, not just theory. I left each session with tools I could apply immediately. Today, I lead with more intention, navigate challenges with professionalism, and contribute to my organization’s goals in a far more meaningful way. I truly credit these courses for helping me grow into the leader I am today.

Ian’s leadership programs have been remarkably impactful for our company. Each program is thoughtfully designed for various roles and levels of management, equipping our employees with theoretical knowledge, insights and practical leadership skills. These programs have helped our team achieve tangible improvements in their current roles while preparing them for future opportunities. The feedback from my team has been overwhelmingly positive. Here are a few examples of what they found most helpful and transformative.  Understanding the importance of defining their non-negotiables and upholding key behaviors.  Learning valuable techniques to improve our hiring and onboarding practices.  Coaching and empowering team members to make decisions, fostering ownership and accountability.  Mastering techniques to prioritize tasks and delegate effectively. I highly recommend Ian’s leadership programs to any organization looking to grow and elevate their leadership capabilities. Francine Gutierrez, Senior Vice President Contracts and Closings Kolter Homes, LLC

When I first started working with 5on4 Group, I had been promoted to a new role for a new department that required navigating unfamiliar territory. Ian helped me through this experience by developing communication skills that were necessary to navigate my new responsibilities. 5on4 group helped me understand how others want to be communicated with, and how to find a voice when communicating confidently is required. This skill set has helped me enhance my relationships at work, as well as my personal life. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to work with a great coach like Ian Mathews.

Having the opportunity to work with Ian has been one of the highlights of my young leadership career. I experienced his rising leaders class and we touched on basically every one of the challenges I have faced and foresee facing as I work my way up the corporate food chain. He had a unique ability to cut through the bull and have real conversations about the problems that we all face. He broke it down on a day to day scale all the way up to the 3 year plan and included incredible real life stories that really tied it all together. I left Ian's class hungry and humbled as I learned some of my deficits I had not previously recognized while dismissing thoughts that had held me back. I've already reflected on some of the lessons just a few months out from taking the class and applied them to real work situations. All of this on top of the fact that Ian is an incredibly personable guy who made the class itself an enjoyable process. Overall, I feel incredibly luckily to have gotten the opportunity to be a part of this program and equally lucky to have Ian as a resource in my network today.

I recently completed the Rising Leaders course from 5on4 Group. What an incredible opportunity to learn from Ian Mathews! The course was a great balance of reading material, homework, group discussion and some inspiring life experiences shared by Ian. This class helped me sharpen my skills in delegating and equipping others so that we can all be more productive, resourceful and respectful of each other’s time in our workday. I can now better prioritize my tasks each day, conduct interviews more effectively, communicate successfully with former peers and a host of other tools that will guide me to be a better manager and person professionally and personally. This course is all about improving and I am thankful for Ian, the 5on4 Group and my employer for this invaluable opportunity! Cheers to you Ian! Can’t wait for the next class!

I completed the Leadership Essentials course during a busy professional and personal season. My biggest takeaways are i) making time for, and the importance of, active listening and direct communication, ii) how to properly grow, lead, and maintain a team, and iii) improving delegation in order to focus on your most impactful tasks and provide growth opportunities for your team. Ian Mathews' enthusiasm to impact positive growth is unmatched! 

I recently took Ian's rising leader's class. As a retired Police Detective who transitioned into the building industry, I was initially reluctant to step into a leadership role. Taking Ian's class gave me the confidence and abilities to overcome my hesitancy and take the next step forward in my new career. As a new leader, I have already utilized Ian's strategies time and time again. From time management tips, to the best ways to interview new hires, Ian has given me the tools I need to succeed and is still always available for questions and advice. I honestly believe that every company's success starts with it's leadership. Having Ian involved in training your leaders will be the best investment you can make to achieve your goals. I highly recommend Ian and the 5on4 team!!

Since engaging Ian, I've observed tangible improvements in my team’s confidence, decision-making skills, and ability to navigate complex challenges. Employees who were hesitant to step into leadership roles have shown remarkable growth, and the overall morale and cohesion of the team have significantly improved. Whether helping a manager refine their leadership style, or simply equipping them with tools to handle stress, Ian has been instrumental in unlocking their potential. The feedback from my team has been overwhelmingly positive. It's clear Ian truly cares about his clients and is committed to driving meaningful and lasting change. I would highly recommend Ian Mathews and 5on4 Group to any organization looking to invest in their employees' development. Ian’s expertise has proven invaluable, and the ripple effect of his coaching has contributed significantly to our company’s success, profitability, and culture.

I am a Purchasing Manager for a home builder, and it is a really big deal for our company to offer a course like the one that Ian Mathews and 5on4 Group do. My manager selected me for the “Rising Leaders” 12-week leadership course in which Ian did live online group coaching. Ian helped me understand how I can achieve results through my team instead of feeling I had to do it all myself. I've become a more confident person in my role, purpose-driven leader, equipped with the tools to inspire change and align with our companies’ efforts to encourage growth with its other top performers that join the team.

Ian is, without a doubt, the most down-to-earth and authentic coach I have had the pleasure of working with. His knowledge, career experiences, life experiences, and expertly crafted lessons have been invaluable to my growth. I have truly enjoyed his leadership courses as well as one-on-one coaching. It’s a bonus that he's also hilarious and knows exactly how to motivate, challenge, and maintain accountability. Ian has not only made a difference in how I approach my role, but he has also made a profound impact on numerous others within our company. In addition to working with Ian as a coach, we’ve had the opportunity to bring him in as our keynote speaker during annual departmental events, allowing our teams to benefit from his wisdom, candor, and coaching. Our entire department hangs on his every word and leaves feeling energized, motivated, and inspired. He’s helped our teams improve time management, address difficult conversations, overcome objections, and so much more. Simply put, working with Ian is a game changer!

I have been in a leadership role in the construction industry for about 20 years. I have always been very organized, process oriented, and motivated, but I have always struggled with demeanor/quick reactions/defensiveness/growing my team. I initially went through the Leadership Essentials course and later also completed the Rising Leaders course. I feel that with the help of Ian and these two courses, I've really been able to thrive and step up my game. I highly recommend both of these courses, but especially Leadership Essentials. 

The best thing about working with 5on4 Group, is definitely Ian. The coursework and content is amazing, but he is also a leader by example and creates a highly engaging environment during his group sessions. This training has been very valuable in some very specific areas, including providing effective feedback to my team and others, softening my approach in many situations, leading up, driving changes on my team and within myself, and being better about gaining exposure for myself and my team within my organization. 

All of these tools have assisted me in feeling more encouraged, team-oriented, and more secure in my role, which in turn creates a high return on investment when Leaders and their teams thrive, continually grow, and consistently produce winning results.

When you work with someone like Ian, you might only talk with him a few hours per week but he is thinking about your business *much* more than that - hours a day. He brings to working sessions a depth of analysis and insight that you only find when a dedicated and experienced executive chooses to internalize your struggles and challenges, as if they were his own. The same issues that keep you up at night keep him up at night. This level of involvement is unheard of in the world of executive coaching and strategic advisory services.

As a new leader, I turn to Ian for advice on how to approach specific situations with my team and clients. He shares his experience and helps me build a game plan, while making me think through every potential outcome of my decisions. My team meetings have been far more productive and inclusive as a result of his coaching. This change in approach brought my team together and has changed everything for the better.

For over a decade, I witnessed Ian successfully navigate corporate structure without losing an ounce of productivity, Ian takes lessons from some of America’s finest and largest companies and uses these skills to grow small businesses as both consultant and operator. As a small business owner, I rely on Ian as a sounding board regarding growth, staffing, market insight and strategic thinking. I find Ian’s counsel to be priceless to my company’s strategy, growth, and success. I’d not be where I am today without Ian’s friendship and counsel.

It was an opportunity like no other to connect with Ian Mathews. He possesses an invaluable pool of knowledge in leadership, management, strategy, and marketing. I brought in Mr. Mathews as a keynote speaker on the topic of leadership. His ideas and delivery energized the audience and personally helped rejuvenate my career. An hour of listening to Mr. Mathews is equivalent to reading 10 leadership books.