After nearly 25 years of guiding strategic growth in hundreds of organizations, I’ve decided it’s time for a career change. This significant decision, while impacting many, aligns with the next season of my life. This next chapter brings an exciting opportunity to contribute directly to a company I’ve long admired.
Thanks to all the leaders and strategic partners who’ve shaped this journey.
It’s been a tremendous blessing and, as I have said to many clients, “super-fun.” 😊 When I approach a new project, I consider it a puzzle to be solved 
where no one really knows what the final image will look like. I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with exceptional leaders and teams in piecing these puzzles together.
Let’s face it, strategy is hard – it is predicting the future, the grey area, involves change, and takes Level 5 leaders, or as Cyndi and I say, Healthy Leaders. These leaders must be vulnerable, open to feedback, and expand decision making throughout the organization. This is not easy work, and I have truly enjoyed “most” of it… except for the really frustrating ones when I am banging my head on the wall (many times I say I should wear a helmet). The difference between enjoying the hard work or getting stuck is leadership and I have worked with amazing ones – you know who you are and THANK YOU!
The NEW reality: strategy is essential in today’s world.
If a company doesn’t have a strategic plan with living core values, a clear purpose, and vision, I don’t think you’re going to make it in five years. There is simply too much change from technology and too many options for the new generation. They won’t work (or stay) in a culture that doesn’t drive a healthy culture with meaningful connection and work. Big shout-out to many of my clients who have “brought strategy to life” by cascading the strategy to their teams, engaging them in implementation, and committing to ongoing strategic communication plans. Not surprisingly, the success rate of these clients is significantly higher than their peers. These stand out as my favorites and greatest sources of pride. 😊
Stretch will live on!
Cyndi will continue to support healthy leaders and high-performing teams who are going through change. Look for the newsletter to continue and register for Stretch Leadership Academy, starting in January 2025. Kathy DeLaura, my mentor and business partner for years with Partners in Change LLC, will also continue with her positive impact of mission-based strategic planning. I believe in our Growth Culture model = Healthy Leader + Winning Strategy + High Performing Teams.
To fill the strategy void, “Strategy in Motion” training will continue.
I want to continue my mission, “Democratize strategy so that everyone will understand it,” with my book, Strategy in Motion: A Proven Playbook for Companies Who Win, training, and access to the tools. There is an easy online training on Teachables to become familiar and/or refresh on key concepts. I am also hosting a hybrid Strategic Bootcamp session on October 10. This is an opportunity for you to train (or go deeper) on the entire process. You will receive a hardcopy training/tool workbook and gain access to 30+ proven strategic tools and templates. I love this work and want to continue to share this proven process and tools for mid-size organizations in a growth phase. I am also happy to discuss licensing my process and tools – please reach out to me directly if you are interested.
I am so excited to share my next season with an amazing company.
My next season of growth is as the COO at a very dynamic organization, Bryan Equipment Sales, the leading distributor of outdoor power equipment as well as the number one distributor of STIHL power tools in the USA. Fortunately, I will be working with a strong and experienced team of leaders with the gold standard of products and services. I have known Rick Bryan, the CEO, for almost 20 years and have admired his leadership, the company, and the team for a long time. I have also been fortunate to support a few of their strategic updates over the years. Bryan Equipment Sales has successfully transformed post-Covid and has an exciting future ahead of them with new and innovative products from STIHL. My transition plan will start in October, and I will be fully functional in the COO role by the end of the year.
The next five years will look much different than the last five years – that’s what makes this new opportunity exciting and scary at the same time. It’s what we call Stretching and I can’t wait!