Most leaders work hard… but not always on the work that actually moves things forward. The biggest needle-movers fall into 5 categories: Strategy Execution Leading People Leading Change Growth-Development Which one is your biggest opportunity right now? Drop it in the comments — let’s sharpen each other.

Discussion for the Move the Needle Collective A client asked me recently: “I know I need to be more strategic… but what does that actually look like?” It’s a great question — and one most leaders don’t ask out loud.“Be more strategic” gets thrown around constantly, but the practical definition is usually missing. At its core, strategic leadership is about seeing the bigger picture, understanding how your work fits into the organization’s values, building influence beyond your immediate team, and creating steady forward movement through intentional action (not just reacting to daily fires). Here are a few quick prompts to spark reflection and discussion: Questions to Consider - Where do you tend to operate more reactively than strategically? - How clearly do you understand the value your team is expected to deliver — not just now, but moving forward? - What small, consistent actions would create more momentum if you committed to them? - Where could you zoom out, build influence, or look beyond today’s urgencies? - What’s one area where a 1% improvement would truly move the needle for you or your team? Jump In What part of “being strategic” is the most challenging for you right now?Or — where have you recently made progress? Share your thoughts below. This is where we learn from each other.

Most leaders already know what they should be doing:Be strategic, intentional, and focused. Yet so many stay stuck in the same cycles—reactive, overloaded, and frustrated that, despite all the effort, the needle barely moves. Here’s the uncomfortable truth: Leadership progress isn’t limited by knowledge. It’s limited by what we tolerate, avoid, or refuse to change. After years coaching leaders and leading transformation initiatives, I’ve noticed the same roadblocks show up again and again. A few common ones: - Overthinking disguised as “planning” - Waiting for the perfect plan (instead of making progress) - Avoiding risk or accountability - Doing too much at once (and losing focus) - Staying stuck in reaction mode instead of creating space to think Progress doesn’t come from knowing more. It comes from changing what you tolerate — and taking small, intentional action that compounds over time. 🔹 Discussion Prompt: What’s one area in your leadership or work where you feel “stuck”?What’s holding the needle in place — and what’s one move you could make this week to create momentum?

We’ve all heard the saying: “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results.” In leadership, that’s not just a quote — it’s a wake-up call. Two of the biggest drivers that help leaders actually move the needle are: · Asking the right questions · Making the right changes Anyone who’s ever sat in a strategic planning session knows — the breakthroughs come from the questions you ask, not the answers you already have. If you want to grow — personally, professionally, or organizationally — you’ve got to start asking better questions: · Strategic leaders ask the right questions. · Reactive managers chase the right answers. To help leaders make that shift, I use the S.E.A. Change Optimization Framework — a method to rethink how you See, Experience, and Approach your leadership. S – See Your Leadership Differently - Do you have a clear vision and roadmap — or are you just surviving the week? - Do you see yourself as a forward-focused, intentional leader — or a problem-solver putting out fires all day? - What’s your perspective on your role — are you leading strategically or managing reactively? - Do you view challenges as opportunities for growth — or recurring frustrations? “Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change.” – Wayne Dyer E – Experience Your Leadership Differently - How do you experience your day? Is it filled with purpose or pressure? - How do others experience you? Are you composed, confident, and clear — or chaotic and reactive? - Are you focusing your energy on what you can control — and releasing what you can’t? - Are you aware of what (or who) drains your energy — and making the right adjustments? - Are you stacking small wins and building momentum each day? - Are you focused on the process, or fixated on results that add anxiety instead of progress? Plan the work. Work the plan. Don’t plan the results. A – Approach Your Leadership Differently - Are you working on the business — or stuck in it? - Are you leading proactively — or constantly reacting? - Do you take a structured, intentional approach — or just firefight through your day? - Do you manage your time — or does it manage you? - Are you aware of friction points and conflicting priorities that slow you down? - Are you focused on the few things that create the most value and forward movement?

Welcome to the community Alan and Tyler! I really appreciate both of you jumping on board in our inaugural first week! I'd love to hear about your biggest challenges and goals as we start to build out discussion ideas.