Field notes for leaders
Practical guidance you can put to work this week — articles, templates, and tools built on the same principles we teach in every engagement.
Leadership, written down
Short, direct guides on the problems leaders actually face. New articles are published regularly — here's what's on the way.
Running an After-Action Review That People Actually Learn From
How to run a structured debrief where people tell the truth, own their part, and leave with fixes — not blame. Coming soon.
Coaching vs. Commanding: When to Use Each
Both have their place. Knowing which one the moment calls for is what separates managers from leaders. Coming soon.
The Weekly Accountability Meeting, Step by Step
A one-hour rhythm that keeps commitments visible, decisions made, and follow-through automatic. Coming soon.
How to Set Expectations New Managers Can Execute
Most first-time managers fail because nobody defined the standard. Here's how to define it clearly. Coming soon.
Difficult Conversations Without the Damage
A framework for direct feedback that builds trust instead of resentment. Coming soon.
Why Your Best People Leave — and How Culture Keeps Them
Retention is a leadership problem before it's a compensation problem. What disciplined organizations do differently. Coming soon.
The leadership podcast — launching soon
A weekly show hosted by Jay Dorleus on leading teams under real-world pressure.
Each episode takes one leadership problem — a stalled team, a hard conversation, a culture drifting off course — and breaks down how to handle it with clear expectations, disciplined communication, and accountability. No theory for theory's sake. Just what works.
Topics on the docket
- Decision-making under pressure
- Building trust as a new leader
- Turning meetings into decisions
- Delegation without dropped balls
- Hiring and keeping top performers
- Conversations with leaders from business, nonprofits, and public service
- Follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube to catch the first episode
Tools you can use today
The same templates we use inside client engagements — free, no strings attached.
Leadership Self-Assessment Checklist
Score yourself across communication, accountability, coaching, and culture — and find the gap to close first. Coming soon.
After-Action Review Template
A one-page guide to running a structured AAR: what was planned, what happened, why, and what changes next time. Coming soon.
Weekly Accountability Meeting Agenda
A ready-to-run agenda that keeps your team's commitments, metrics, and decisions on one page. Coming soon.
One leadership brief, every week
A short weekly email with one principle, one tool, and one question to ask your team. Read it in three minutes. Use it the same day.
Ready to build stronger leaders?
Book a discovery call and find out where your organization stands.