J.R. Flatter Ph.D.

J.R. Flatter, Ph.D., ICF-PCC

A Passion for Courageous Coaching and Leadership

Dr. J.R. Flatter offers unrivaled insights into what it means to be a courageous coach and leader in today’s world based on his knowledge & experience gained through 40+ years leading organizations; teaching & consulting on leadership; and studying & writing about leadership. J.R. is a successful business owner, author, retired Marine Corps Officer, scholar, professor , speaker, consultant, certified coach, mentor, husband, and father.

J.R. possesses a comprehensive knowledge of leadership theory and history plus he has decades of practical application of proven leadership principles in numerous organizational settings. He leads and teaches people from all walks of life – across all levels of experience from CEOs to entry-level; across all fields of profession from blue collar to white collar; and across all levels of education from Ph.D.’s to GED’s.

Moreover, the lessons in J.R.’s books are borne directly from his experiences gained as a successful ICF Professional Coach (PCC), Mentor Coach, and Coach Trainer. Based on his extensive coaching experience and academic training, he presents these lessons in his signature Courageous Coaching Accelerator Seminar- both in-person and remotely.

In addition to J.R.’s courageous coaching practice, he currently leads a team of ICF-certified Courageous Coaches delivering world-class coaching with leaders from across government, academia, and industry including leaders within the Department of the Air Force, United States Marine Corps, U.S. Department of Agriculture, (USDA), Penn National Gaming, G6 Hospitality, LLC, and the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce.

As the founding owner of Flatter, Inc. (Flatter), J.R. has served as Flatter Inc.’s Chairman since its beginning in 2002. Flatter, Inc. is a successful, multi-million-dollar Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business that plans, integrates, and sustains holistic, best-in-class support services solutions (www.Flatterinc.com). J.R. actively leads Flatter’s global operations from the front - visiting each program personally to ensure teams are motivated and performing up to Flatter’s standards of excellence.

Concurrently, as Flatter’s Chief Learning Officer, he leads all leadership development and coaching programs, including the Department of the Air Force Senior Leader Development Program (DAFSLDP) which provides leadership development and coaching for Flag Officers and Senior Executives from across the Department of the Air Force.

Prior to founding Flatter, Inc., J.R. served 22 years of active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps, rising from Private to Staff Sergeant before receiving a commission as a Lieutenant and eventually retiring as a Major.

J.R. complements his coaching experience, leadership skills, business experience, and analytical acumen with a strong educational background that includes a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Washington, a Master of Science in Management from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a Ph.D. in Public Administration with a concentration in Leadership Development from the George Washington University. In addition, J.R. is a Certified Executive Coach through the Center for Executive Coaching (CEC) and a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) through the International Coaching Federation (ICF).

With this widespread breadth of knowledge and passion for courageous coaching and leadership, J.R. has authored the following books:

1. Courageous Leadership: Identify and Achieve Your Lifetime Goals,

2. Courageous Leadership: A Handbook for First-Time Leaders,

3. Courageous Leadership: A Handbook for Leaders of Leaders,

4. Courageous Leadership: A Handbook for Mentors, and

5. Courageous Coaching Handbook.

J.R. was born on a small plot of land in the northeastern corner of Washington. He calls his home a “farm,” but in reality, the only things that grew with much success on the steep hills and jagged rocks were children: being one of seven raised by his parents. In addition to their small herd of children, they had several dogs, a milk cow, her yearly calf, a dozen chickens, and a few rabbits. J.R. accredits this upbringing to his practical, down to earth approach to leadership development.

J.R. and his wife Alicia have 4 grown children and 8 grandchildren. On a day-to-day basis, J.R. enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, learning & leading in both his business & non-profit organizations.