Women Of The C-Suite: Michelle Pyan Of Commercial Investigations On The Five Things You Need To Succeed As A Senior Executive
An Interview With Vanessa Morcom
Own Your Unique Leadership Approach. Build Real Relationships. Face Decisions Head-On. Determination Outshines Skill. Acknowledge Your Successes.
As a part of our interview series called “Women Of The C-Suite”, we had the pleasure of interviewing Michelle Pyan.
Michelle Pyan, founder and President of Commercial Investigations LLC, has transformed the background investigations industry with her proactive approach and strategic leadership. Her commitment to excellence has garnered recognition, including the Woman to Watch award in 2009. With a legal background from Winona State University and an MBA from The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Michelle provides clients worldwide with information to make the best hiring decisions. As an industry leader, licensed private investigator, and sought-after speaker, Michelle combines legal expertise with business acumen to drive success for her clients.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your “backstory”? What led you to this particular career path?
I’m a born investigator, curious to uncover the truth and find solutions. My path to leading Commercial Investigations really started with a competitive fire that was stoked playing baseball as the only girl on my high school boys’ team.
From an early age, I had a drive to compete and succeed, even when facing stereotypes in male-dominated spaces. Playing baseball helped ingrain that resilient mentality of always pushing forward despite the obstacles.
After getting my legal background from Winona State University and MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, I could have followed a more conventional corporate career. But that competitive spirit drew me toward the investigative world instead.
When I had my first opportunity to prove myself as a private investigator, I ran with it full speed. From those early days doing undercover surveillance and workers’ comp cases, I found my true calling.
Slowly but surely, I carved out a niche focusing on employment background checks and workplace investigations for regulated industries. That drive to compete and make a positive impact motivated me to start Commercial Investigations.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company?
Absolutely, one of the most impactful moments in my career aligns closely with the core of what we do here. We were investigating on an individual who had applied for a position within an organization that works with children.
During the course of our investigation, we uncovered that the person had a prior conviction for selling drugs in a school zone not once, but twice.
While the individual didn’t ultimately secure the position, the essence of our work goes beyond simply limiting people from getting jobs.
It’s about ensuring that the right individuals are placed in roles where they can contribute positively, especially when dealing with organizations that involve vulnerable populations, such as children.
This experience, and more like it, reinforce the significance of our work. It’s a testament to the importance of making decisions that prioritize the safety and well-being.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
One of the funnier mistakes I made when first starting out was drastically miscalculating the cost of renting our first big office space.
I somehow got turned around and thought the listed price per square foot was the monthly rate instead of an annual charge.
You can imagine the absolute panic that set in. The place was completely outside our budget at the time!
It wasn’t until my realtor set me straight that the weight lifted off my shoulders.
While embarrassing, it taught me a lesson about always clarifying details and not making assumptions, no matter how basic they may seem.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
Mentorship has played a significant role in shaping my authentic leadership style.
I’ve had many along my path, but a few stick out. I’ll share one story about a particular mentor, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable naming him here.
The valuable lesson involved understanding the importance of reflection before sleep. He shared that thinking about key work-related aspects before bedtime led to waking up with fresh ideas and a clear direction for the day.
I found this approach intriguing and applied it to my situation, emphasizing the significance of taking time to reflect on crucial aspects before rest.
Leadership often entails making difficult decisions or hard choices between two apparently good paths. Can you share a story with us about a hard decision or choice you had to make as a leader?
Navigating through economically challenging times has been a recurring theme throughout our 20-year journey as a business.
Each instance has presented tough decisions that required a delicate balance between sustaining the company and ensuring our team’s well-being.
Viewing our company as a collective entity, we understand that for CI to survive, we sometimes face difficult choices.
One specific instance that stands out involves the need for shared work during the COVID pandemic. It’s a stark reality that we’ve had to confront to ensure the longevity of our business.
We firmly believe that it does nobody any good if CI doesn’t survive these challenges. Our unique perspective is to look at CI as more than just a business entity — it’s akin to a person with its own set of needs and vulnerabilities.
Our commitment isn’t just for our employees, but also for our niche clientele that heavily relies on us. Through strategic decision-making, we’ve managed to stave off layoffs in recent history.
However, these long past experiences have profoundly shaped our collective view of the whole.
It reinforces the importance of staying true to what we offer, understanding our team, and making decisions that prioritize the sustainability of CI as a whole.
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. Most of our readers — in fact, most people — think they have a pretty good idea of what a CEO or executive does. But in just a few words can you explain what an executive does that is different from the responsibilities of the other leaders?
That’s quite a thought-provoking question.
When it comes to differentiating the role of an executive, I’d say two key distinctions are having a big-picture perspective and the ability to manage across all levels of the organization.
As an executive, you can’t get siloed or caught up in any one area. You have to see the overarching vision and how all the moving pieces interconnect. Operations to sales to finance to human resources all impact your larger mission.
I like to say that I don’t really have a boss giving top-down directives. Instead, I have thousands of ‘bosses’ in the form of every client and end-user who utilizes our services.
Keeping their needs in mind is what shapes the overall strategic direction.
At the same time, translating that big-picture thinking into actionable realities requires management of all parts. It’s a constant balancing act of future vision and execution.
What are the “myths” that you would like to dispel about being a CEO or executive? Can you explain what you mean?
My two myths are the notions that we don’t really answer to anyone, and that we need to be subject-matter experts on every aspect of the business.
I just mentioned that I don’t have a single supervising boss giving me orders, the reality is that I have thousands of ‘bosses’ in the form of our clients and end users.
I’m very much accountable to that collective ‘board’ of customers.
The other myth is this idea that executives need to possess deep expertise and be able to do every job we delegate to others. That’s simply not feasible, especially as an organization scales and evolves over time.
My role is to provide high-level direction, acquire the right talent, and enable them to thrive by removing roadblocks.
But I don’t need to know the intricate details of how to perform every single task. That’s what I have an incredible team for.
Leadership is about taking a comprehensive view, understanding how to optimize and align resources, and empowering others to execute in their own areas.
My powers are more based in influence than total control.
In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges faced by women executives that aren’t typically faced by their male counterparts?
In my experience, some of the biggest challenges involve perceptions around professionalism and emotions.
Little things, like being conscientious of cleavage when getting dressed for the office, are considerations women have to make. I’m only half-kidding.
Then there’s the notion that women are seen as more emotional in the workplace. Things like shedding tears, even happy ones, can be unfairly viewed as a detriment. We have to walk that tightrope of appearing confident yet warm, authoritative but still relatable.
So, in addition to all the actual weighty executive responsibilities, us ladies have the added task of heavily managing those perceptions when it comes to our persona.
Maybe someday it’ll be a non-issue, but for now, we’ve simply got to master the art of the empowered hair toss!
What is the most striking difference between your actual job and how you thought the job would be?
The most striking difference is that I don’t really get to do what would be my ‘ideal job’ in a sense.
When I first started Commercial Investigations, I had a dream to spend my career as a private investigator out in the field. That thrill of the investigation was what truly invigorated me.
As the company grew, my responsibilities evolved. While I created this ‘ideal’ investigator role, I don’t actually get to fill that position anymore. These days, I have a terrific team of skilled investigators who get to live out that passion daily.
Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely wouldn’t trade what I get to do today for anything. Leading the organization, setting our vision, and empowering this team is incredibly rewarding.
Fortunately, I get to live vicariously through the trials and tribulations our investigators experience.
But there’s no denying my role has become far more high-level and zoomed-out compared to those gritty investigative dreams.
The irony is that the more successful we’ve become, the further removed I am from that frontline work that first sparked my love for this industry.
Though, at the end of the day, realizing my vision and supporting this incredible team is more than I could’ve ever hoped for.
Is everyone cut out to be an executive? In your opinion, which specific traits increase the likelihood that a person will be a successful executive and what type of person should avoid aspiring to be an executive? Can you explain what you mean?
No, I don’t think so. Thankfully, not everyone actually wants that path.
The traits that successful executives posses include a teaching mindset, perseverance, dedication, and a willingness to work outside the 9-to-5 schedule.
Most importantly, it stops being primarily about you as an individual. Instead, it becomes entirely about empowering your colleagues to be their best selves. Your core drive needs to stem from a desire to elevate those around you each and every day.
You have to genuinely enjoy rolling up your sleeves alongside your team, guiding them through challenges, and creating an environment where people feel supported to take chances and learn.
If you crave recognition, well, that’s probably a sign that the executive lifestyle isn’t going to be a proper fit.
Making the leap to a leadership role like this has to be about more than just title or money. It’s a profound lifestyle transition.
So, while not everyone may be cut out for it, those who do ascend to executive ranks have to embrace that selflessness as their new normal. It’s about leaving your ego at the door to elevate others.
What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started” and why?
1. Own Your Unique Leadership Approach
In the business world, authenticity is your secret weapon. As a woman, your leadership style is your strength. It’s not about conforming to stereotypes; it’s about embracing your uniqueness. Authenticity breeds trust and sets you apart in a crowded marketplace.
I grew up playing baseball with the boys, and even played on the High School team. I wasn’t thinking about breaking barriers at the time, I just wanted to play. Looking back, I’m proud of being the first girl at my school to play on the team, and I continue to try and challenge those stereotypes.
Stay authentic to yourself, and those same qualities will translate to your business.
2. Build Real Relationships
Building a network is more than just collecting business cards. It’s about cultivating genuine connections. As a woman-owned business, we bring a distinct perspective. Leverage this advantage to foster relationships that go beyond transactions. Your network is your greatest asset.
I’m personally a big advocate for mentorship groups. As a member of the Women Presidents Organization (WPO), I’m able to meet new people, bounce ideas off others, and generate strong business relationships. Some I’ve had going for 20+ years, all because of joining the group.
3. Face Decisions Head-On
As women business owners, don’t be afraid to embrace decisiveness and show clear direction. Put your foot down when tough decisions need to be made.
If you’re lucky enough to be in business for 20 years, you know it can be a rollercoaster. Those same tough decisions will not please everyone.
Even though those actions are normally viewed as masculine, there have been moments where I’ve said, ‘This is what we’re going to do’ — when I might not be completely sure, but know I need to reassure faith in the team. It’s not about being inflexible or domineering, but rather about having the conviction to make choices that align with our vision and goals.
4. Determination Outshines Skill
There’s a saying that success is often one part talent and nine parts perseverance. I live by that. My journey as a woman in business has taught me that the real magic happens when talent is complemented by unwavering perseverance. Talent may open doors, but it’s perseverance that keeps those doors from closing.
When COVID hit, the hiring world was turned on it’s head overnight. We had to explore other avenues to keep the business alive, and avoid layoffs. While we were able to do both, the toughest moments show that perseverance becomes the driving force behind overcoming obstacles.
5. Acknowledge Your Successes
In the journey of entrepreneurship, every milestone deserves recognition. As a woman in business, it’s important to celebrate not just your successes, but the unique achievements that come with being a trailblazer. Take pride in your journey.
One win I will always remember is when we were investigating an individual who had applied for a position within an organization that works with children. During the course of our investigation, we uncovered that the person had a prior conviction for selling drugs in a school zone not once, but twice.
While we don’t actively root for a person to be denied employment, these situations highlight the importance of what we do to protect vulnerable populations.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good for the greatest number of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
If I could start a movement that would bring the most good to the most people, it would focus on addressing hunger among children. I am extremely passionate about ensuring that no child goes hungry. The movement would involve supporting gardens in schools, providing children with the opportunity to learn how to grow their own food.
By integrating gardening education into school curricula, children would not only gain practical skills like controlling soil in a pot or nurturing a tomato seed but also develop a profound understanding of where their food comes from.
This initiative aims to combat hunger at its roots, both literally and figuratively, by empowering children with the knowledge and skills to produce their own sustenance.
The goal would be to make education on food sources an integral part of their learning experience, fostering a connection to the food they consume. In doing so, we can contribute to reducing hunger among American children and promoting a more sustainable and nourished future.
By starting at the grassroots level, you create potential to bring positive change to the lives of countless children, addressing not just the immediate need but also building a foundation for lifelong well-being.
We are very blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them.
It would absolutely have to be Warren Buffett.
After I graduated from college, I was lucky enough to be able to purchase a single share of Berkshire Hathaway stock. It was pretty much all I had at the time.
I did my due diligence as an investigator, but I never could’ve expected the wild ride it’s taken me on over the years.
Getting a front-row view of Berkshire’s growth under Buffett’s leadership has been inspiring. So, the chance to actual meet the man would be an absolute dream come true.
I’d love to gain wisdom on living a truly principled life in total alignment with your authentic values.
My colleagues often tell me that I never slow down, constantly inquisitive about every new idea, so I can only imagine the amazing conversations Buffett and I might have.
That’s a breakfast I’d be happy to buy!
Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this.
About The Interviewer: Vanessa Morcom is a millennial mom of three and founder of Morcom Media, a performance PR shop for thought leaders. She earned her degree in journalism and worked for Canada’s largest social enterprise. She can be reached at vanessa@morcom.media
