Steve Graves

About Steve Graves

Steve Graves is behind Cornerstone Coaching, based in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

On episode 47 of NWA Founders, the Northwest Arkansas business podcast, published August 25, 2026, Steve Graves shared the story of the business. The conversation runs 1 hr 33 min. Steve Graves joins NWA Founders to talk about his four-decade career coaching CEOs, founders, and business owners through his firm, Cornerstone Coaching. He shares his philosophy of working with individuals rather than companies directly, on the belief that as the leader grows, so does the organization. He explains how he and his original partner, Tom Addington, start the business on faith and word-of-mouth alone, deliberately keep a small client portfolio to protect quality and their personal lives, and eventually build a scalable model only after multiple failed attempts, with the right team finally making it work.

Jump into the conversation

1. 0:44The "composite scorecard" concept: your results reveal your organization's design.
2. 10:57Steve's origin story: choosing philosophy/theology over law, and eventually founding Cornerstone with Tom Addington.
3. 34:44"A man with a testimony is never at the mercy of a man with an argument", on overcoming the "age barrier" as a young coach.
4. 45:04The two voices every founder hears: unlimited inspiration vs. very limited, trustworthy strategic guidance.
5. 50:46Why his core strategy is offensive, not defensive, set your own pace and execute your plan.
6. 58:01"Businesses create cultures, cultures create businesses, but people create the businesses and the cultures."

All 9 chapters, with the transcript →

About Cornerstone Coaching

• Four decades coaching CEOs and founders; author of 20 books
• Executive coaching / advisory, Fayetteville
• www.cornerstoneco.com

Show notes, chapters and transcript →