Leading with a Clear Purpose: Interview #2

Last month, Gil and Wes Dove recorded a Facebook Live interview, discussing what it means to lead with a clear purpose. This month, it was Nell-Marie's turn!

You can watch the replay to hear how she went from essentially hiding in the "individual contributor" role for years, to being willing to step up and serve her teams as a leader. To her, if "leadership" means caring for people, creating an environment where they can thrive, and moving everyone toward a shared purpose, then she's all in.

Here's an overview transcript from the interview . . .

Podcast Transcript: Leading at the Next Level with Dove Development and Consulting

Host: Wes Dove | Guest: Nell-Marie Colman

Wes:

Welcome to the Leading at the Next Level podcast with Dove Development & Consulting. I’m thrilled today to talk with someone who's become a great friend to Cindy and me—Nell-Marie Colman. Not Gil—though we love him too—but Nell-Marie herself, who has brought tremendous value to both our friendship and professional partnerships.

She’s been a high-level tech writer in the cloud computing and AI industry, working directly with senior leadership on global projects. But more recently, she’s moved into a new role with Colman Engineering, the company her husband Gil started in 2010. On paper, her role might look part-time, but as any business owner knows—there’s no such thing as part-time when it’s your business.

She’s part of our Executive Leadership Elite Think Tank and will also be one of our panelists at the upcoming Leadership Legacy Experience. Today, we’ll talk about her background, her purpose, and how that purpose is lived out at Colman Engineering.

Nell-Marie:

Thanks, Wes! This is fun. I’ve spent my whole career in the tech sector, starting with writing how-to guides for people intimidated by technology—things like how to create and save a Word document. My bread and butter has always been translating technical info into something accessible.

And although I wasn’t officially part of Colman Engineering when Gil founded it, I’ve always been involved behind the scenes. Recently, we reached a place—both professionally and relationally—where we knew we could work together full-time and still enjoy being married. So that’s where we are now!

Wes:

I love it! A lot of people tell Cindy and me, “I could never work with my spouse,” and we’re like, “We’ll pray for you!” It’s the best part of my day, even when it’s hard. Communication and understanding personality styles go a long way, and I know you and Gil are a lot like us in that way.

What I want to ask is: What’s driven you to take on leadership roles throughout your career—even when your default has been to stay in the background?

Nell-Marie:

It really shifted when I turned 42. That was the year I realized it was time to get out of my own way and start caring more about the team than about staying comfortable. A former manager inspired me—she stepped into big shoes and led by focusing on us. She advocated for us and had hard conversations on our behalf.

I thought, “I can do that. I care about people.” And if I focus on caring for them, I can push past my insecurities. That’s what helped me move from individual contributor to leader.

Wes:

That’s powerful. You’ve grown so much as a leader, not just in your professional role, but also in your church, where you serve as a liaison.

Where would you say you’ve found the most fulfillment in all of this?

Nell-Marie:

Honestly, it’s in realizing that I do have something to say—and when I say it, it helps people. That’s been deeply fulfilling. I love advocating for people, helping leaders hear what’s going on in the community or on the team, and being a bridge in that way.

Wes:

You’ve definitely made a difference, not just internally at Colman but with your broader community too. I know leadership development is something you’ve been really intentional about—what led you to pursue it?

Nell-Marie:

Because I don’t like failing—and I especially don’t like failing other people. I wanted to step into leadership well, not just wing it. So I started learning—attending Live2Lead, joining training sessions with you and Cindy. My motivation was partly selfish—not wanting to fail at leadership—and the other part compassion. I didn’t want to mess up something that would affect others.

Wes:

And that heart for others really shows. That’s why you and Gil are such valued partners—not just sponsors, but true partners. You’ve both been involved in Live2Lead and now you’re a panelist for the Leadership Legacy Experience. What made you say “yes” to stepping into such a public role?

Nell-Marie:

Because I actually have a lot to say about this! Purpose and values have been my focus for the past year at Colman Engineering, and I’ve seen how transformative it is. I’ve worked for purpose-driven companies before, and I’ve carried their culture with me. I want that for our team—and I want to share it with others, too.

Wes:

Let’s talk about that tagline—“Engineering for a Better World.” What would you want the community to know about what that really means for Colman?

Nell-Marie:

That it’s not just a tagline—it’s who Gil is. He started this company with a commitment to doing what’s right: being honest about project costs, treating regulators with respect, doing good work for clients, and caring about the community. Our purpose and values are a reflection of who he is—and now, they’re baked into everything we do.

Wes:

That’s evident in how you run staff meetings, interact with clients, and approach every project. Are there any initiatives you’re working on right now that you’re particularly excited about?

Nell-Marie:

Yes! One project I’m working on is highlighting how our clients are making the world a better place. It’s about telling their stories and helping them see the impact they’re having. And by doing that, we’re extending our own purpose—it becomes a shared purpose.

Even asking the question—“How are you making the world a better place?”—can help clients articulate their impact and feel more connected to it.

Wes:

That’s the definition of legacy—making a difference that outlives you. And you’ve been intentional about aligning your own personal purpose with Gil’s vision. When you joined the company full-time, what made you feel it was the right time?

Nell-Marie:

It was knowing that I could take Gil’s vision and help organize and implement it. I love taking complex ideas and making them simple. That’s what I’ve always done as a writer—and now I get to do that with our company’s purpose, values, and systems.

Wes:

And you’ve done it beautifully. Last question: What advice would you give to someone younger, earlier in their career, who wants to grow into a leadership role?

Nell-Marie:

Find someone who leads the way you want to lead—and go work under them. Even if it means a less prestigious job or lower pay, that experience is priceless. It doesn’t even have to be in your field—good leadership is universal.

That’s what made the difference for me: working under someone who truly cared and believed in me.

Wes:

That’s phenomenal advice. Nell-Marie, thank you for sharing your journey, your heart, and your leadership lessons. You and the Colman Engineering team are an inspiration. We’re grateful for you!