We’re looking forward to introducing you to Labeaud Colbert . Check out our conversation below.
Labeaud , really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about your customers?
A lot of CEOs and executives are learning on the job, even when their businesses bring in plenty of revenue. That success doesn’t always mean they’re navigating with expertise. In fact, even the most profitable companies in the country are surprisingly disorganized. They’re essentially reinventing the wheel month after month. It’s like how many Americans live paycheck to paycheck: a lot of businesses are running in a similar way, making it by the skin of their teeth.
The people who really know what they’re doing tend to be owners who’ve bought and run multiple businesses, not just one. My work often exposes this reality. It’s similar to giving someone a fitness assessment: companies don’t realize how weak their systems are until they’re put through a test. When we shine a light on their profitability, expenses, waste, and overall efficiency, it becomes clear.
What I’ve learned is that people often assume these business leaders are much smarter than they are, but the truth is, a lot of it comes down to luck, favors, and smoke and mirrors.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Labeaud Colbert, founder and CEO of Panoramic Solutions Management, or PSM for short. At our core, we focus on solutions engineering, financial strategy, and workforce development training.
My story is a mix of business, research, and a passion for human behavior. I’ve always been fascinated by how people and organizations make decisions, so PSM is built on that curiosity.
Right now, we’re working on projects that combine human strategy and AI-driven tools that help companies measure performance, cut waste, and make better long-term decisions.
The goal is to give companies the kind of insight that helps them move with clarity and confidence.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
When I was a child, I believed I was stupid and defective. I felt ugly and talentless, and I carried a completely distorted perception of myself because of the people and circumstances I grew up around. I experienced abuse and bullying from multiple directions, often from people who were battling their own insecurities.
The truth was that I was gifted. I had talents in art, writing, music, dance, and I had beauty as well. I was targeted for it and for a long time, I internalized what others wanted me to believe about myself, which was the exact opposite of who I really was.
Today, I know my worth and I understand my power. I no longer dull myself to make others comfortable, and I don’t carry the burden of trying to make insecure people feel secure. I embrace my confidence fully and no longer fear the consequences of doing so.
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
When I started my first business with employees, I didn’t fully understand financial sustainability. Before that, I had launched several projects that failed for the same reason. I simply didn’t prioritize money. Growing up in the church, I was taught to devalue money, to see it as something you shouldn’t center your life around. Because of that, I developed an aversion to learning about it.
While running that business, I began educating myself on finances, but I started too late. By the time I began to grasp what sustainability really meant, my company was already in trouble and I nearly lost it. That experience was a turning point for me.
It’s actually one of the reasons PSM exists today. My passion is helping business owners avoid the mistakes I made. Being proactive with your finances, structure, and operations isn’t optional. If you wait until a crisis to bring in an advisor, your options are already limited, and sometimes it’s too late.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
I’d say yes and no. Yes, I put my true character forward. But how the public interprets me is often shaped by societal conditions that can make my personality seem threatening or controversial. Some people say I come across as harsh or rigid, but the truth is, I’m actually soft-hearted and non-judgmental.
What people usually react to is my bluntness. I’m outspoken about injustice and malicious intent, and I have a strong sense of moral integrity. Sometimes that’s misread as self-righteousness, but I’m not interested in projecting perfection. I openly embrace my flaws and put them on display because I don’t want anyone to think I see myself as “better than” others.
At the same time, I do have a low tolerance for the victimization of disadvantaged people. That’s where my edge comes from.
In person I’m easygoing, I don’t talk much, and I’m usually the one cracking jokes. I’m not someone who follows the crowd, and while I understand the value of tact, I’m not going to dilute my voice just to appease people who are committed to misunderstanding me.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
I live in a constant state of both dissatisfaction and contentment and it comes in cycles. Day to day, I’m content, but I’m also never fully satisfied with my efforts, and that dissatisfaction is what drives me to keep pushing for more. By the time I achieve something, I’m already focused on the next thing, so I rarely pause to celebrate.
Even when people compliment or congratulate me, I do appreciate the sincerity of the gesture. It makes me feel valued by them but I don’t personally find much fulfillment in praise or accolades. For me, the work itself isn’t about being recognized; it’s about the pursuit, the process, and the growth that comes with it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.panoramicsolutionsmanagement.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/panoramicsolutionsmanagement/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18oam2wyTf/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Image Credits
Labeaud C.
