About Us

As Seen On / Service Provider of Choice For:

  • St Louis Cty
  • The Leading Edge Maxwell Blog
  • Maxwell Leadership Certified Team
  • Indus School Trojan Logo (1)
  • TOPS
  • UW–Superior Logo
  • WDIO
  • Epilepsy Foundation Foundation
  • EQUIP 2018
  • EQUIP Header General
  • HACC
  • EWN Logo Final
  • Channel 3 Duluth
  • Duluthian Article July August 2024
  • Enbridge
  • Hibbing Public Utilities
  • Best Of Best 2025
  • Best Of Best 2024
  • Best Of The Best 2023
  • Duluth Community Votes
  • ATD Logo
  • BNI Logo Black RGB
  • Business North Logo
  • Authority Magazine The Medium
  • Print
  • Duluth Gospel Tabernacle
  • DACC
  • The Lift
  • Duluth News Tribune Improving Office Dynamics

We Help Leaders Transform Themselves—and Their Businesses

At Metamorphosis CCT, our mission is simple: to grow better leaders who build better businesses. We deliver leadership training and leadership development that equip practical leadership skills to reduce COGS, improve profits, and grow business without chaos.

Whether it’s an insurance agency in Michigan, a manufacturer in Wisconsin, or a construction company in Minnesota, we help organizations like yours:

  • Communicate more clearly
  • Reduce COGS and improve profitability
  • Retain top talent
  • Create healthy, accountable cultures

We believe leadership development isn’t a buzzword—it’s a bottom-line strategy. Our approach blends behavioral science (DISC and EQ) with hands-on leadership training, coaching, and workshops that stick. The result: real leadership skills that show up in daily behaviors, measurable KPIs, and decisions that grow business.

Who We Serve

We specialize in executive coaching, leadership training, and leadership development for service-based organizations ready to grow business across:

  • Construction & skilled trades
  • Healthcare & wellness
  • Insurance & financial services
  • Manufacturing & logistics
  • Small business, family-run companies & nonprofits
  • Primarily located in Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin

Why “Metamorphosis”?

Real business transformation doesn’t happen overnight. It takes guidance, intentional practice, and the courage to change. Our name reflects our commitment to helping people grow—becoming more self-aware, confident, and effective through leadership development that ties directly to outcomes. We link business metrics to leadership training because leadership skills must drive results in the workplace. If improvement isn’t showing up on the floor, in the field, or on the P&L, either the wrong skills are being trained—or they aren’t being applied consistently.

That’s why we recommend ongoing coaching to turn ideas into habits. Our cadence helps your team apply what they learn in leadership training and leadership development, track impact, and iterate quickly. Over the years, we’ve honed a focused set of leadership skills that reliably grow business in measurable ways.

Our Approach: The Karnowski Method™

Clients tell us, “This isn’t like any leadership training we’ve done before.” That’s the point. We combine clarity, accountability, and practice:

  • KPI & Culture Audit: Establish baselines for COGS, labor efficiency, retention, and engagement so you can see progress tied to specific leadership skills.
  • Hands-On Leadership Training: Short, practical drills that leaders can use the same day with their teams—no fluff.
  • Leadership Development Plans: Role-specific behaviors and checkpoints that align with KPIs to grow business quarter over quarter.
  • Coaching & Reinforcement: 1:1 and team sessions that turn leadership training into consistent habits.
  • Real-world results, like increased profit, retention, and communication flow

Everything we do is built to make leaders better—and businesses stronger.

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Michael Karnowski

Co-Founder | Strategic Advisor | Coach | Trainer

Michael combines sharp analytical thinking with steady leadership. A former physical therapist and engineer (practicing since 2011) turned executive coach and systems strategist, he helps clients diagnose root causes, design systems, and apply leadership skills that grow business with intention. His coaching connects leadership development directly to numbers leaders own every week.

  • Metamorphosis Coaching, Consulting and Training Co-owner
  • Certified Human Behavioral Specialist
  • DISC Model of Human Behavior Master Trainer
  • John Maxwell Leadership Certified Coach, Speaker and Trainer
  • Baldrige Process Excellence Certified Evaluator
  • Bachelor’s in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
  • Doctorate of Physical Therapy
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Nicole (Nikki) Karnowski

Co-Founder | Coach | Speaker | Trainer

Nicole brings contagious energy, deep empathy, and a gift for connection to every room she enters. As a certified DISC and EQ consultant and leadership coach, she equips teams and individuals with practical tools for clarity, confidence, and culture transformation. She loves creating unique and memorable experiences for our clients and is an expert in human dynamics and relationships. Additionally, she has extensive experience in healthcare systems in various cities around the U.S.

  • Metamorphosis Coaching, Consulting and Training Co-owner
  • Certified Human Behavioral Specialist
  • DISC Model of Human Behavior Master Trainer
  • John Maxwell Leadership Certified Coach, Speaker and Trainer
  • B.S. in Broadcast News from Kent State University and has a background in Radio and TV News
  • Baldrige Process Excellence Certified Evaluator
  • Former News Producer at WKBN-TV in Youngstown, Ohio
  • Board Certified Master’s In Life Coaching – Pursuing ICF certification (2023)
  • Masters in Counseling
  • Duluth and Hermantown Area Chamber Ambassador several years
  • Hermantown Area Chamber of Commerce President (2023)
  • Former Business Networking International President (2022)
  • Former Empowered Woman’s Network President (2023)

Other Qualifications

  • Training and coaching leaders across industries since 2015.
  • Voted “Best Consulting Firm” by the Duluth News Tribune (2022–2025) and featured for enhancing workplace dynamics and leadership skills.
  • Frequent media features, including “The Lift” on WDIO and Life 97.3; former weekly TV segment “Eye on Lifestyle.”
    • Founders recognized as local business thought-leaders and trusted media experts
  • International training in Lithuania (2019) and Paraguay (with John Maxwell, 2017).
  • Professional speaking for ATD, Enbridge, UW-Superior Business School, RSM, American Family Insurance, regional Chambers, and PEN.
  • Baldrige Performance Excellence evaluators applying proven leadership and management practices.

Why Clients Work with Us (And Stay with Us)

  • Improved top-line growth & bottom-line profitability
  • Reduced COGS, employee turnover, & improved engagement
  • Stronger leadership pipelines and accountability
  • Clearer communication and ownership across teams
  • Tangible impact across teams, departments, and culture

 Ready to build a stronger, more aligned team? If you want leadership training that moves the needle, leadership development that sticks, and leadership skills your people can use tomorrow to grow business, let’s talk.

As Seen On WDIO “Eye On LifeStyle”, The Lift, & in the Duluth News Tribune

Nicole & Michael Karnowski are leadership experts and trusted voices in the business community. They are frequently featured by regional and national media for their insights on leadership development, communication, employee engagement, and business growth. 

AS Seen On:

Metamorphosis As Seen On

Outlet Title / Segment Date Type
WDIO – The Lift Improve Your Emotional Intelligence with Nicole Karnowski Aug 2025 TV Interview
WDIO – Eye on Lifestyle The Myth of Work-Life Balance Jun 2025 TV Segment
WDIO – Eye on Lifestyle DISC Styles Series (Dominant, Inspiring, Supportive, Cautious) May 2025 TV Mini-Series
WDIO – Eye on Lifestyle Best Tool for Decision Making: Six Thinking Hats Apr 2025 TV Interview
WDIO – Eye on Lifestyle Goals and Accountability for Leaders Jan 2025 TV Segment
Channel 3 News Dealing with Difficult Co-Workers Sep 2024 TV Segment
Duluth News Tribune Duluth Couple Improving Office Dynamics as Metamorphosis CCT Jun 2023 Print Feature
Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce Leading Well: Building Strong Teams Through Communication Feb 2024 Speaking Event
Association for Talent Development (ATD) Appreciation in the Workplace Training Oct 2024 Professional Training
Clear Publicist / WDIO – Eye on Lifestyle Increasing Your Management Techniques Mar 2024 TV Segment + Online Article
WDIO – The Lift Attitude in the Workplace 2025 (est.) TV Segment
WDIO – The Lift What Is a Coach? 2025 (est.) TV Segment
WDIO – Eye on Lifestyle Self-Care for Leaders 2024 (est.) TV Segment
WDIO – Eye on Lifestyle Physical & Emotional Self-Care for Teams 2024 (est.) TV Segment
Channel 3 News Creating a Daily Vision 2024 (est.) TV Segment
WDIO – The Lift Empathetic Listening in Leadership 2025 (est.) TV Segment
Channel 3 News Personal & Professional Development 2024 (est.) TV Segment
Channel 3 News Productivity Tips for Leaders 2024 (est.) TV Segment
Channel 3 News Mindset for Leadership Success 2024 (est.) TV Segment
WDIO – The Lift Refocusing on Priorities 2025 (est.) TV Segment
Channel 3 News Applying Coaching Principles in Your Life 2024 (est.) TV Segment
Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce How to Write a Compelling Press Release Nov 2023 Workshop
Business Networking International (BNI) Givers Gain – The Power of Serving First Aug 2024 Keynote

See all 20+ segments here:

Full WDIO YouTube Playlist

Publications

Outlet Title Date
Authority Magazine Mindset Matters: Nicole Karnowski of Metamorphosis Coaching, Consulting & Training On How To Build Stress Resilience with a Positive Mindset Aug 27 2024
Authority Magazine Nicole L. Karnowski of Metamorphosis CCT: 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Launched My Business May 23 2025
John Maxwell Team Blog The Leading Edge: Leadership Lessons from a Tracy and a Nancy – Which One Would You Follow? ~2017
John Maxwell Team Blog The Leading Edge: The Powerful Law All Successful People Practice ~2018
John Maxwell Team Blog The Leading Edge: Say Goodbye to Resolutions and Instead Be Resolute with Six Steps for Success in 2018 ~2017
John Maxwell Team Blog The Leading Edge: Three Little Tips to Bring Big Results When Speaking to Your Next Audience ~2018
Duluth News Tribune Duluth Couple Improving Office Dynamics as Metamorphosis CCT Mar 31 2019
Business North Magazine Feature on Metamorphosis CCT’s Impact on Service-Based Business Leadership ~2022
The Duluthian Magazine Chamber Profile: Nicole & Michael Karnowski of Metamorphosis CCT Jul/Aug 2025
Enterprise Podcast Network (EPN) Why Everyone Could Benefit from a Coach ~2018
eHealth Radio Network Choosing Joy, Gratitude & Good Thoughts Each Day ~2018

“Our goal is to make leadership simple, practical, and people-centered — whether that’s in the boardroom, on a job site, or on morning television.” 

– M&N Karnowski

Ready To Train Better Leaders?

Let’s set up leadership training to improve communication skills, team performance, and profits —starting now.