CEO Opinions

Managers are responsible for the present. Leaders are responsible for the future. This simple definition draws a line between one who manages certainty and one who leads into uncertainty.  This core difference may sound simple, yet, many leaders are afraid of the future. This fear blocks leadership qualities in many...

“The capacity to generate and sustain trust is the central ingredient in leadership.” So wrote Warren Bennis and Burt Nanus in the foreword of the book, “Leaders: The Strategies for Taking Charge.”  Trust is essential in any relationship and vitally critical in business leadership. A trustworthy leader fosters a positive and...

Some people may inherit a large fortune at a young age, and others, due to some talent like sports, may make a lot of money at a young age. We will not refer to such cases of wealth. We will refer to people who set their goals from an early...

Unlike traditional businesses that separate owners and employees, cooperatives — also known as co-ops — put the power in everyone’s hands. The farmers are the owners, stakeholders and workers all in one, which gives them a lot of sway over how they run things. The Business Cooperative Model In many...

Do you know what prompted Brad Pitt to start his own beauty brand? Apparently, he was influenced by a former relationship. So who is the woman who influenced him? Gwyneth Paltrow! He dated her for three years, from 1994 to 1997; today, he is very close to her. Let's not...

As part of ongoing cost-cutting measures under new owner and CEO Elon Musk, Twitter is shutting down its Seattle offices and Singapore offices, instructing employees to work remotely. That’s despite Musk earlier claiming that remote workers are only “pretending to work” and banning remote work at Twitter upon taking it...

After delivering a CEO group presentation this morning in Seattle, I was seeking inspiration from a storied location, only to discover Place Pigale Restaurant and Bar overlooking Elliott Bay. The old wooden bar and sky-blue ceilings beg the speculation, “If these walls could talk...” It’s been a perfect haven for...

No one would have ever suspected. I have heard people say that and I have heard that internal voice in my head start to beat me up, more times than should be reality … But let’s come back to that at the end of this executive article. The path to...

During times of financial strain, be it from the effects of the pandemic, high inflation rates, or low sales, the top of every CFO’s list is lowering costs. Although that’s an important goal, CFOs should focus on more strategic efforts, especially optimizing their product or service portfolios. Only then can...

My friends, you have finally arrived. You are a woman with 30 years of experience managing multi-million-dollar budgets, sizable teams, and a track record of solid ROI. Your proof points are a resume writer’s dream. While others are planning their exits and retirements, you are planning your next step. Yet,...