Jason Kean is the Manager of Consumer Services and employee number 42 at AutoTrader.com. As the 42nd employee in a company that's ballooned to over 2,000, Jason has seen a lot of change over the years. Founded in 1998, AutoTrader.com is now attracting more than 15 million unique monthly visitors. Sure, there have been some growing pains along the way. But you don't grow into a multi-million dollar company by fearing change. In fact, it's something AutoTrader.com has come to expect. It has set its sights on becoming a billion dollar company within the next 10 years. And though that's nothing to run from, it does require some serious preparation.

One step AutoTrader.com has taken to prepare for the exciting years ahead is to focus on improving the company's organizational performance. As part of a new initiative to unite leadership, improve customer service, and prepare for the future, AutoTrader.com has trained over 100 of its supervisors on the Inside-Out method for reaching breakthrough performance. By keeping the process in the hands of the individuals who know the systems best, employees become the champions of improvement. Jason Kean knows this firsthand.

Jason calls it "analysis paralysis." Whatever the term, we've all experienced it; that stuck feeling… you can't move forward because you're bogged down in too much data and information. That's exactly how Jason was feeling just before meeting InsideOut founder Alan Fine. For weeks Jason had been putting off making four major decisions that were important to his department. In meeting with Alan, he learned a simple and repeatable process for eliminating outside interference and reaching breakthrough performance. We call it the GROW™ model, and it equipped Jason with the ability to accomplish something that had stumped him for weeks – he was able to settle on a decisive Way Forward for each of his decisions. At the first break, when he shared his thoughts, his boss gave him the green light to move ahead.

"It was something I had been fretting over for weeks," said Jason "After listening to Alan, it was literally solved in a minute and a half." The powerful strategies presented in the InsideOut method gave Jason the tools to make the necessary decisions and help move the company in the right direction. It wasn't long before he began to apply the power of the GROW model to other areas of business and even his personal life.

One of the most significant aspects to the GROW model is its adaptability. Jason discovered this through working with a co-worker who was struggling with a problem. His coworker was having a conflict with a manager. The trouble had been going on for months and was only getting worse. Conflict in the workplace, especially with a manager, can be emotionally draining but it can also hinder productivity. As they were discussing options, it suddenly occurred to Jason that the GROW model could be used to break through hostilities and re-open channels of communication.

Using the coach for performance approach that Jason learned of the GROW training, he was able to help his coworker by providing a method to eliminate interference on the path to creating stronger professional relationships. In only one day, they were able to resolve an issue that had been steadily deteriorating productivity and morale for months.

"They didn't have the tool they needed to resolve the dispute in their tool belt," said Jason "I was able to provide that tool. Their relationship was strengthened and they were able to grow for the company. Everyone is now moving full steam ahead."

Jason has found that he can apply this powerful tool at home as well as the workplace. Getting your four-year-old to settle down for the night can be a lot of fun. But it can also be a real struggle. And for Jason, a father of twins, bedtime can feel twice as difficult. The GROW method allowed Jason to approach bedtime with a whole new mentality, which is leading to more rest for the girls and, thankfully, more rest for mom and dad.

"If my twins were the only ones who benefited from my training, I would consider it a success. But I've really been able to use it throughout many relationships," Jason said "I'm thrilled about all that I've learned."

In this case, what's good for Jason is also good for AutoTrader.com. When its people grow as individuals, the entire organization benefits. And by allowing employees to engage in assessing and aligning organizational systems, the employees become the champions of their own improved processes. AutoTrader.com isn't a billion dollar company yet. But it's getting closer each year. With the help of InsideOut, it is more prepared for all the growth and success that's certain to come its way.

Enjoy this year's final Insider stories!