What Choosing a Book Cover Taught Me About Strategy
Why the process of testing a design mirrors the process of launching any bold idea. I’m thrilled to finally reveal the cover for my new book, Fast Track Your Big Idea! Navigate Risk, Move People to Action, and Avoid Your Strategy Going Off Course. The book will launch in October—a practical guide for leaders with bold […]
Are You Really Listening? Or Stuck Just Polishing?
Have you ever built something new? And knew it was good enough to share, but you kept tweaking anyway? Design. Build. Polish.That’s the natural rhythm of creating something new. Roman architect Vitruvius said any lasting creation must have firmitas (strength), utilitas (usefulness), and venustas (beauty). The principle is timeless: build a solid foundation, make it useful, then refine it and polish it […]
How to Get an ROI on Mistakes
I was sitting in a room of executives from around the world, reviewing our results. Some people’s numbers were pretty good, but many of us had performed below target. It was awkward. Suddenly, our leader stopped, and said, “We’re going to change things up today. We’re going to talk about mistakes.” The room got quiet. People […]
Who’s Accountable for Your Strategy? Do They Even Know It?
At your last strategy retreat, did everyone walk out crystal clear on who’s accountable for what? Probably not. In a recent poll I ran, the #1 conversation most often avoided during strategy planning was: “Who is actually accountable?” (37%). Ouch! Why? Because naming names can feel risky. It stirs up power dynamics, unspoken doubts, or fears of overstepping. But […]
Why Smart People Don’t Take Action (and What to Do About It)
Last week, I had the opportunity to meet with visionary CEOs and Executive Directors from across the country. We gathered to discuss one thing: how to move strategy forward faster. One of the most powerful ideas we discussed was this: The biggest risk to your strategy is the PEOPLE side of risk. The problem isn’t that […]
When I Realized I Was The Problem
Are you leading a situation where everything seems to be falling apart? • Funding for a big project has suddenly dried up? • A critical event didn’t go as planned? • Your new offering is a flop? • A key leader just quit? In moments like these, our “leadership” instincts kick in: We feel pressure […]
From Lost in Fog to Soaring: How to Move Your Strategy Faster
Ever feel like you’re driving blind—constantly reacting to obstacles instead of confidently moving forward? You’re not alone. The good news? The breakthrough you need might not be working harder or faster. Instead, it’s stepping back to see the whole road ahead. At a recent Strategy Reboot workshop, we explored specific ways leaders can quickly clarify […]
This Isn’t How I Thought Things Would Go”—Now What?
You had a vision—a new strategy, a career move, a relationship—something that really mattered. And now, it’s not going the way you thought it would. That moment can feel like a gut punch. It’s disorienting. Frustrating. Discouraging. In the past few weeks, I’ve heard a refrain: “This isn’t how I thought it was going to turn […]
Reality Check: Your New Strategy May Get Messy
Happy New Year!! 🎉The confetti has fallen, the noise has faded, and now you’re staring at the year ahead. Do you have a bold new strategy you’re trying to get off the ground this year? “I’m going to be blunt: there’s a very real risk that your strategy won’t go as planned. In fact, I […]
Three Steps to Finish the Year Strong (Even If You’ve Stalled)
Can you hear it? The buzz of people hustling to close deals, ship inventories, and secure donations before the year wraps up? When you’ve got momentum, the end of the year feels like a grand crescendo—a symphony of progress and achievement. But what if the momentum has fizzled out? For some, year-end isn’t triumphant. It’s […]