In this episode, Stephen Miles, CEO of TMG, and John Nasr, Senior Managing Director, discuss how leaders can scale their impact by developing a structured management operating system. Many leaders advance by relying on intellect and adaptability, but as responsibilities grow, those skills alone aren’t enough. The key to navigating this shift is implementing a system that enables leaders to scale effectively while demonstrating their growth and capacity.Join us as we discuss:The key components of an effective management system, from defining the "gold star" to signaling your leadership styleHow to build the right relationships and structure to scale leadership without falling into micromanagementWhy tensioning the system and refining metrics are essential for detecting risks early and driving results

In this episode, Taylor sits down with Laura Cococcia, Managing Director at Council Advisors, for a conversation on leadership, career growth, and the skills that set top executives apart. Drawing from her experience across nonprofits, tech giants, and corporate enterprises, Laura shares insights on leading through uncertainty, building strong teams, and the role of mentorship and feedback in shaping effective leaders. She also reflects on the importance of clear communication in high-stakes situations, and how adaptability enables leaders to navigate complexity and drive results.Tune in as we explore:How transparent communication builds trust in times of crisisStrategies for leading effectively under pressureWhy adaptability is a non-negotiable skill for C-suite leaders

Today, we’re exploring a leadership skill that’s often overlooked: signaling your leadership style. Stephen is joined by Courtney Hamilton, Senior Managing Director at TMG, to discuss how intentional signaling builds trust, fosters collaboration, and drives team success. They’ll explore how choices like structuring team check-ins and communicating your preferences can create clarity and improve performance. The conversation also delves into micro-leadership versus micromanagement, the challenges of onboarding, and the value of consistent, predictable leadership.Join us as we discuss:How clear leadership signaling builds trust and creates a more collaborative and aligned team.The key differences between micro-leadership and micromanagement, and how to mentor without undermining trust.Strategies for evaluating past leadership, establishing clear expectations, and aligning your team around a common goal.

In today’s episode, Stephen is joined by John Nasr, Senior Managing Director at TMG, for the second part of our two-part series on building effective relationships with Boards. Together, they explore how trust and alignment between leadership teams and the Board can improve decision-making, clarify strategy, and support long-term success.Join us as we discuss:Practical strategies for handling tough questions and facilitating productive discussions using a Socratic approach.How to establish trust with the Board through consistent, thoughtful engagement and communication.Techniques for managing aggressive Board members and maintaining strategic alignment.

In today’s episode, Stephen is joined by John Nasr, Senior Managing Director at TMG, for the first part of a two-part series on building effective relationships with Boards. Together, they explore how trust and alignment between leadership teams and the Board can improve decision-making, clarify strategy, and support long-term success.Join us as we discuss:Practical strategies for handling tough questions and facilitating productive discussions using a Socratic approach.How to establish trust with the Board through consistent, thoughtful engagement and communication.Techniques for managing aggressive Board members and maintaining strategic alignment.

In today’s episode, TMG CEO Stephen Miles and Managing Director Stephanie McCoy Loquvam discuss the importance of fostering idea conflict without devolving into social conflict. They explore going “hard on the idea, soft on the person” to drive effective decision-making and encourage diverse perspectives. Tune in for insights on what causes social conflict, why it undermines team dynamics, and how leaders can create the conditions for open, productive debate.Join us as we discuss:Practical strategies for promoting idea conflict without causing personal friction.The role of context, trust, and structured processes in fostering a culture of constructive debate.How to lead open debates that center on the ideas, not the individuals.

In this episode, Stephen is joined by Taylor Griffin, COO of TMG, to explore how spotting early signs of potential threats can transform the way senior leaders navigate their organizations. Together, they’ll discuss how the ability to identify subtle warning signs—before a full-blown crisis emerges—empowers leaders to make smarter, proactive decisions. They’ll also share a practical toolkit for detecting those early whiffs of smoke and preventing issues from escalating into larger problems.Join us as we discuss: How successful leaders act on weak or missing signals to stay ahead of emerging threats.The importance of ongoing team engagement for effective signal detection and spotting emerging threats and opportunities.The courage it takes to challenge the status quo and address potential issues that others may not see.

What exactly is founder mode? Is it just another form of micromanagement, or is it a practical approach to leadership in today’s fast-paced business environment?In this episode, Stephen and Taylor dive into the debate sparked by figures like Paul Graham and Brian Chesky, proposing a middle ground between founder and manager mode—micro-leadership. By striking the right balance between employee empowerment and direct managerial involvement, leaders can drive results and foster innovation, staying engaged with both their work and their teams while supporting autonomy and creativity.Join us as we discuss:How to embrace micro-leadership by staying connected to your team’s work.How to build a management system with regular check-ins that balance stability with high performance.How to give top performers the context and guidance they need to maximize their potential and drive success.Learn more:Founder Mode, by Paul Graham Lenny’s Podcast featuring Brian Chesky 

Choosing the right talent for a role is always important, but it's even more crucial when that role is essential to meeting your company's strategic priorities. A leader in a critical position who can't foster deep team alignment and synchronized prioritization can have a cascading negative effect. In this episode, TMG CEO Stephen Miles and COO Taylor Griffin discuss how to determine a role's criticality and evaluate whether a leader has what it takes to be effective.Join us as we discuss: Judo vs. MMA and why "sharp-elbowed" executives aren't always the most effective.The importance of stress testing executives in critical roles.How a clear 12-month plan can help mitigate scope risk when an executive takes on a new role.

In today's episode, we're joined by Courtney Hamilton, Senior Managing Director at TMG, to discuss one of our favorite coaching concepts: shifting to a manual operating mode. As leaders succeed in their careers, they often start defaulting to autopilot. However, there are situations where making the conscious decision to "go to manual"–a process that involves consciously hijacking your automatic response to an event and taking a new, more deliberate approach–will help you become a more effective leader.Join us as we discuss:How slowing down and staying open can help you avoid stasis and maintain a growth mindset.Ways to shift out of automatic mode in everyday activities, such as meetings, to consistently show up as the best version of yourself.The importance of shifting to manual during times of crisis to ensure you're acting as an absorber and not an amplifier.