Accidental Culture: Why It Happens “We’re making more money than ever, so why does it feel like everything is falling apart?” The question hung in the air of Maria’s office. As the new president of a family-owned manufacturing firm, she had inherited a business that was, by all financial metrics, a runaway success. Yet, she spent her days [ Read More ]
“I thought I had more time.” That’s the most common phrase we hear from business owners after an unexpected exit — whether it’s due to a health crisis, a surprise opportunity, or simply burnout that came on faster than expected. And yet, over and over again, leaders delay business succession planning. Not because they don’t care — but because [ Read More ]
What Growth Actually Feels Like At the end of the first workshop in Aileron’s Becoming a More Conscious Leader 12-month program, a participant laughed and sighed while sharing, “I feel like I’ve been through a workout — for my brain and my heart.” That’s not unusual. In fact, it’s expected. As Erika Alessandrini, Aileron Leadership Coach, often reminds [ Read More ]
“We just assumed you’d be here.” That’s what the operations lead said to her founder, after he announced—abruptly—that he was stepping away. There was no handoff. No plan. Just silence, followed by uncertainty. And while they managed to keep things moving, no one would describe what followed as smooth. Long-standing team members left. Clients began asking questions. Trust wavered. [ Read More ]
When Pressure Takes Over, What Happens Next Defines Your Leadership Picture this: A CEO walks into a meeting just after a tense call with a client. Frustration lingers. An employee raises a concern — and the CEO snaps. The conversation shuts down. Nothing gets solved. Later, the CEO regrets it. The issue was minor. The reaction wasn’t. We’ve [ Read More ]
Succession Planning Isn’t About Leaving, It’s About Leading Better When you hear succession planning, what pops into your head? For many business leaders, it feels tied to retirement or selling the company — events that may be far off in the future. But the truth is, succession planning isn’t about the day you step away; it’s about strengthening [ Read More ]
Why Conscious Leadership Lasts a Lifetime Ten years after attending a leadership session, a former participant sent a note with a simple reflection: “I still use these tools every single day.” That’s the power of conscious leadership. It’s not a quick fix or a one-time event. It’s a way of showing up — one that continues to grow [ Read More ]
The Most Effective Leadership Begins Within The room was quiet. A group of leaders — directors, owners, C-suite executives, and entrepreneurs — sat in a circle. Some crossed their arms, others leaned back, cautious and curious. One participant, a director of operations at a mid-sized company, admitted: “I thought this would be about managing my team better. But [ Read More ]
3 Key Takeaways from Stacey Lawson’s Summit 2025 Community Spotlight Growth is the most powerful thing a leader can commit to—especially in times of uncertainty. When leaders choose to stretch themselves, they not only unlock their own potential but also create the conditions for their teams and organizations to thrive. At Summit 2025, as part of our Community [ Read More ]
If you’re a business owner who doesn’t have a plan for how your business will continue without you, you’re not alone. ~70% of family-owned businesses fail to survive the transition from the first to the second generation, and only about 12% make it to the third. 47% of family business owners looking to retire in the next five [ Read More ]
Your calendar and to-do list are probably screaming at you to delegate, but in case that isn't enough, here are eight evidence-based reasons you should invest in learning how to harness this leadership superpower. Increased engagement: Employees who feel their managers delegate effectively are 63% more engaged at work. Source: HBR Higher retention: 91% of employees say that [ Read More ]
As a business leader, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day whirlwind of running your organization. You have fires to put out, decisions to make, and projects to oversee —and that can leave little time to pause and consider the bigger picture. But as a leader in your business, setting and executing your strategy is some [ Read More ]
