The Corner Office

CEO Blog

You’ve built something remarkable. But what happens when you—or your top leaders—aren’t in the chair tomorrow? For many CEOs, succession planning feels like tomorrow’s problem. It’s uncomfortable. It’s complex. It’s easy to deprioritize when you’re in growth mode or battling today’s fires. But here’s the hard truth: if you haven’t planned for continuity, you’ve planned

Strategy can point the way. Execution can move the needle.But in today’s hyper-competitive world, neither is enough. If you’re not intentionally shaping culture, you’re leaving performance—and potential—on the table. According to Bain & Company, 70% of business leaders cite culture as their greatest source of competitive advantage. Why? Because culture is what makes strategy real.

The second quarter is flying by—and if you’re like most CEOs, your calendar is packed, your team is pushing hard, and your attention is split between urgent demands and long-term growth. But here’s the truth: Q2 is your moment.The moment to pause. To assess. To lead with intention. Great CEOs don’t just run the business—they

The CEO glanced at their overflowing calendar, sighing as another day slipped away in back-to-back meetings, urgent emails, and putting out fires. “How did I become so busy… yet feel so ineffective?” The vision they once had for leading strategically—focusing on growth, innovation, and the big picture—had been buried under an avalanche of operational demands.

The CEO leaned back in their chair, rubbing their temples as another leadership meeting spiraled into a familiar cycle of frustration. “Why are we always playing catch-up?” they finally asked. The team exchanged glances, but no one had an answer. Board presentations were rushed. Quarterly reports were last-minute fire drills. Strategic initiatives seemed to stall

The CEO stared at the latest performance report, frustration growing. “We should be further ahead by now.” Despite years of steady success, growth had slowed. The company had reached a plateau, and certain leaders—once the driving force behind the company’s achievements—were now struggling to keep up with the demands of the next stage. It was

The CEO sat at the head of the conference table, frustration evident in their expression. The executive team had spent months refining a bold new growth strategy—yet something wasn’t clicking. Sales was pushing one agenda. Operations had a different set of priorities. Marketing was running in another direction entirely. “Why does it feel like we’re

The CEO stood at the front of the room, scanning the faces of their employees. Some were checking emails, others stared blankly at the screen, and a few were sneaking glances at the clock. The quarterly All Hands meeting was meant to energize and align the company. Instead, it had become just another meeting—a routine

The boardroom was silent as the CEO wrapped up the annual strategy presentation. The slide on the screen read: “Our vision: To be the #1 company in our industry.” Heads nodded, but the energy in the room was flat. The statement sounded solid—but was it truly inspiring? Would it guide bold decision-making and drive innovation?

The boardroom was buzzing with excitement. After months of deep dives, strategic debates, and scenario planning, the leadership team had finally completed their three-year strategic plan. It was bold. It was ambitious. It had the potential to redefine their market position. But as the celebratory coffee cups clinked together, one question lingered in the air: