Sometimes leadership is about creating stability before accelerating change. For this CEO, recent sessions have been less about firefighting and more about taking stock, reflecting, and intentionally shaping the next chapter for the company.

1. Celebrate Progress and Stability

After months of managing crises, tension with the Board, and financial hurdles, a CEO is finally seeing a solid foundation emerge. Celebrating these wins, even small ones, helps leaders internalize progress, gain confidence, and prepare for the next phase of growth.

2. Channel Creativity with Intention

With the foundational issues addressed, the CEO now has space to explore ideas for expansion, culture refresh, and new initiatives. Leadership isn’t just about generating ideas, it’s about creating mechanisms to channel creativity in ways that align with long-term goals.

3. Align Team, Vision, and Opportunity

The CEO is proactively addressing culture, team dynamics, and operational gaps, including difficult conversations with long-term employees. Leadership is about more than vision; it’s about aligning people, processes, and values to make that vision real.