SMART Start™
Sustainable success as a new CEO
Problems We Help Solve
Addressing Obstacles That Hinder Success for New CEOs
The CEO transition can feel overwhelming without the right preparation.
Our tailored framework equips you with the tools to lead effectively from day one.
New CEOs often struggle to align teams around a shared vision.
We’ll help you define and communicate a strategy that fosters alignment and momentum.
Blind spots can hold new leaders back.
We’ll guide you through self-awareness strategies and provide actionable insights to help you lead with clarity.
New leaders often struggle to establish accountability across their teams.
We’ll teach you how to create systems that ensure commitment and drive measurable results.
New CEOs often lack a clear plan for success.
We’ll work with you to create a 180-day plan focused on immediate wins and sustainable success.
The pressures of leadership can leave new CEOs feeling isolated.
We’ll be your trusted advisor, offering guidance to help you navigate challenges with confidence.
Gallup’s latest State of the American Workplace research reports
8 in 10 employees believes their boss lacks vision or clear communication
A ROADMAP TO MASTERING THE CEO ROLE
The SMART Start™ Process
Guiding new CEOs to align teams, build momentum, and achieve lasting results.
Strategic
Define a Clear Vision of Success
The Problem:
As a new CEO, it’s easy to get bogged down in immediate challenges without a compelling long term vision of success. Without a clear strategy, your leadership risks being reactive instead of purpose-driven.
Our Solution:
JDR helps you craft a clear, inspiring vision rooted in your company’s culture, strengths, and opportunities. Together, we develop a strategic plan that balances ambition with achievable milestones, giving you the clarity to lead effectively.
What you walk away with
A compelling vision to inspire and guide your team and workforce
A step-by-step roadmap to turn your vision into action
Alignment across your company to ensure everyone is working toward the same goals
Momentum
Build Early Wins to Establish Credibility
The Problem:
For new CEOs, it’s critical to build credibility quickly. Without early wins and clear communication, skepticism can grow, and your team may hesitate to fully commit to the changes you’re driving.
Our Solution:
JDR helps you identify quick wins that create energy and confidence in your leadership. We help you engage stakeholders and maintain focus to sustain progress and keep the organization energized.
What you walk away with
Immediate wins that demonstrate your impact as a servant leader
Increased confidence and buy-in from your team
A clear plan to sustain momentum through action and communication
Alignment
Unite Your Leadership Team Around Shared Goals
The Problem:
Stepping into a new role, you may find your leadership team pulling in different directions. Misalignment can create inefficiencies, stall progress, and undermine the performance of your leadership team.
Our Solution:
JDR helps you align your team by clarifying strategic priorities, roles and responsibilities, and decision-making processes. Through heightened levels of healthy debate and structured planning, we ensure your leadership team is united behind your collective vision.
What you walk away with
A unified leadership team fully aligned with your goals
Clear roles and responsibilities to eliminate confusion
A collaborative environment committed to the vision and goals
Results
Focus on Measurable, Tangible Outcomes
As a new CEO, proving your ability to drive measurable results is essential. But without clear priorities, strong communication, and accountability systems, resources can be spread too thin—making it hard to demonstrate progress.
Our Solution:
JDR works with you to develop a balanced scorecard to help you hold yourself and your leadership team accountable for your commitments to your stakeholders, and we help you lead execution of the strategic plan with fidelity.
What you walk away with
An ally focused on helping you achieve your full potential
A methodology to allocate resources consistent with your vision and strategic plan
Results that showcase your ability to lead your organization
Teamwork
Accountably operationalizing the plan, learning and course correcting with agility
The Problem:
In your new role, you may encounter a leadership team that lacks the trust, collaboration, or cohesion you desire. It’s difficult to cultivate a high performing team while ramping up the learning curve and addressing urgent challenges.
Our Solution:
JDR helps you build a cohesive, high-performing team by fostering trust and collaboration. We guide you in establishing behavioral norms and cultivating a performance-based culture of innovation.
What you walk away with
A team that prioritizes the good of the team over servicing their egos
A high-performing leadership team that complements each other’s strengths and weaknesses
A culture of trust and accountability that fuels improved results
What Makes SMART Start™ So Effective?
Custom-Fit for New CEOs
SMART Start™ is designed specifically for the challenges new CEOs face, and customized to leverage your specific leadership approach while tackling the challenges that lie ahead.
Focused on Action and Impact
Our framework provides practical steps to help you navigate the stress and complexities of your new role and deliver measurable results.
Strengthens Leadership at Every Level
Our process helps you force-multiply your leadership influence and encourage proactive leadership throughout your organization.
Our Promise
A tailored 180-day leadership plan designed to help you gain early momentum and align your organization and stakeholders
A unified and high-performing leadership team equipped to collaborate and execute effectively
An engaged and accountable workforce aligned with your strategic vision and motivated to achieve it
Proven tools and frameworks to guide your leadership journey and drive sustainable growth beyond your first year
Principles That Guide Us
The Foundation of Effective Leadership
Growth Mindset
Great leaders embrace lifelong learning and see challenges as opportunities for growth.
Implementation:
Model curiosity, encourage team members to take calculated risks, and treat mistakes as learning opportunities.
Impact:
A culture of innovation, resilience, and continuous improvement.
Servant Leadership
Servant leaders focus on empowering others, fostering a culture of trust, and prioritizing the well-being of their teams over personal accolades.
Implementation:
Actively remove barriers, provide resources, and celebrate team successes over individual achievements.
Impact:
Increased trust, engagement, and loyalty across the organization.
Constructive Contention
Encouraging open and respectful debate enhances decision-making and innovation by leveraging diverse perspectives.
Implementation:
Create psychologically safe environments where team members feel comfortable sharing differing opinions and tackling tough issues.
Impact:
More innovative solutions, better decision-making, and stronger collaboration among team members.
Cultural Transformation
Cultural health is integral to leadership success. Leaders must assess, adapt, and optimize organizational norms and values to align with strategic goals.
Implementation:
Conduct regular cultural assessments, address gaps in alignment, and model behaviors that reflect organizational values.
Impact:
A healthier, more engaged workforce and a culture that supports sustainable growth.
Dynamic Adaptation of Plans
Effective leaders understand that strategic plans must evolve with changing circumstances.
Implementation:
Regularly review and recalibrate strategic plans based on internal progress and external market dynamics.
Impact:
Agile, future-ready organizations that maintain relevance and competitive advantage.
Transparency and Honesty
Building credibility requires open communication and integrity at all levels.
Implementation:
Share goals, progress, and challenges with teams and stakeholders openly. Invite feedback and involve others in decision-making processes.
Impact:
Greater trust, collaboration, and engagement.
Learn more about Coaching & Leadership Development
How to Gain Competitive Advantage from the Outside In
The best leaders realize that everything must begin with their consumers.
The Lifeblood of Business
Cultivate a performance-based culture of innovation that unleashes the innate desire in the people you lead to solve, create, and contribute to winning.
Why Emotional Intelligence Matters More Now Than Ever
The best leaders work hard to understand the formative experiences and motivations of the people they lead.
Ready to learn how our SMART Start™ solution can help you thrive as a new CEO?
Schedule some time to tell us about yourself and find out if our leadership and coaching services are right for you!
- Learn how we can help
- Ask all of your questions
- Decide if we’re a good fit
