My career has been marked by the distinction of being on the front lines and in the war rooms of leading organizations during critical periods of growth and disruption. I've had the privilege of navigating businesses through reputational, financial and organizational crises, restructuring, strategic reinvention, acquisition and dissolution. For better or worse, I've witnessed the undeniable impact of leadership, from master-strokes to missteps.

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I began my career working for the publisher, founder and CEO of a noted media company during the dawn of the internet. One day we were discussing layouts and editorial strategy, booking talent and talking about our circulation and in-book advertising revenue. The next, we were scrambling to develop a wiremap, build out a video production team, strategize how to leverage in-book advertising to monetize online ad space and shifting our value proposition to audiences and advertisers.

 

I sat in the boardroom at Sony Music when Napster launched and Apple upended the business model (seemingly) overnight. We needed to evolve our revenue model. Everything changed from marketing and digital strategies to artist contracts, merchandising and licensing deals, touring strategies and once again, our value proposition to key stakeholders.

 

I was at a leading global tech company when changes in consumer behavior and tectonic shifts to media and creative industries required a 180° change to our approach to retail, omnichannel marketing, influencer marketing and strategic partnerships.

 

The list goes on. Where leadership was exceptional I saw business challenges drive growth and opportunity. Where it was lacking I saw accountability shifted to ever lower rungs of the organization, as CEOs and senior leaders abdicated responsibility and gave up their agency to make the changes that would have turned things around.

 

Some organizations thrived and others failed to the point of dissolution. 

 

One thing I know, is that the pace of change is not slowing. Today's business leaders and professionals are expected to do more with less time, certainty and fewer resources than ever. Tomorrow's results rest on today's decisions. The outcome of progress or obsolescence rests with leadership.