“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 ]
As we approach January, consider the many ways you might learn about and through the power of perspective. Each Founder’s Day, Aileron honors Clay Mathile through a month of Learning, Doing, and Giving – three pillars Clay believed were essential to building a meaningful life. This year, the Aileron community is gathering on Campus on January 9 as [ Read More ]
Aileron is excited to invite you to join us this January as we collectively set out to leverage the power of perspective to improve our businesses and our lives. Founder’s Day is Aileron’s annual opportunity for our community to gather, advance our mission, and perpetuate Clay Mathile’s legacy through a month of Learning, Doing, and Giving. Each year, [ Read More ]
We’re knee-deep in Q4, and preparing for 2025 is top-of-mind for many business owners. If you’re ready to set you, your team, and your organization up for success next year, consider preparing in these three ways. 1. Prepare yourself: Lead your business with more confidence, intention, and clarity in 2025 Most businesses reach an inflection point where their [ Read More ]
