Every executive team is talking about AI. Many have formed steering committees, purchased licenses, and asked IT to evaluate tools, assess risk, and develop governance. Some have even declared AI a strategic priority. Yet very few organizations are fundamentally changing the way people work. The reason is simple:…
AI Can Give You Answers. It Can’t Give You Judgment. Last month, I realized I hadn’t heard from a long-time client in a while. She had recently started a new C-suite role, so I called to see how things were going. Her response caught me off guard. Sheepishly,…
Everywhere I go right now, leaders are talking about AI. Boards are asking about it. CEOs are demanding plans. Technology teams are being told to “move faster.” HR teams are trying to support employees through uncertainty. And somewhere in the middle of it all, organizations are rushing to…
Why Strong Leaders Stall at The Top At the C-suite level, leadership stops being about decisions and starts being about which decisions can survive visibility, politics, and consequence. That shift catches even proven executives off guard. Up to that point, most executives succeed by being exceptional specialists: they…
Most people never see what really happens behind the closed doors of executive advisory. They assume it’s coaching with better titles — reflective questions, personal insights, and a few action items. But the truth is this: Senior executives don’t bring me in for reflection. They bring me in…
(And How to Fix it Before 2026) As many of my clients start to plan for 2026, I’ve been thinking about a pattern I’ve observed in hundreds of strategic planning sessions. Picture this: A newly appointed CEO sits at the head of a conference table, surrounded by their…
Resist the change or harness its power to evolve? When I think of all the ‘Vision 2020’s’ that have been created over the past 15 years, it is hard to believe we’re actually here in Q4 of 2025! We don’t know exactly what this year is going to…
Adding Value When You Don’t Think You Have Any: A C-Suite Leader’s Guide to Overcoming Imposter Syndrome You’re sitting in a high-stakes senior leadership team meeting. The conversation swirls around complex supply chain issues, technical specifications, or financial derivatives – topics far from your core expertise. Your palms…
When Strategy Stalls, a Summit Is Often the Missing Link When executives step into the C-suite, the expectations are massive—and the margin for misalignment is razor-thin. The job is no longer just about knowing the answer. It’s about aligning other smart people to the *right* question and *one*…
Stepping into the C-Suite isn’t just a career move. It’s a mindset shift. And nothing accelerates (or derails) executive success faster than the assumptions you bring with you.Many leaders believe they have a solid grasp on the reality inside their organization. And why wouldn’t they? Reports are coming…
Turbulence management is more important than ever… If you’re waiting for the waters to calm, you’re going to be waiting a long time. Today’s business environment isn’t heading back to “normal.” It’s more like permanent whitecaps—volatile, fast-changing, and full of unexpected undercurrents. As a senior leader, you’re not…
In the wake of the Great Resignation, a seismic shift is occurring in the job market. Big bureaucratic organizations are witnessing an exodus of employees seeking greener pastures and more fulfilling work experiences. For midsize companies, this presents a golden opportunity to attract top talent and enhance their…