June 18th, 2025
Doug Thorpe
I’ve been using the phrase “Leadership Powered by Common Sense” for years. It’s been my tagline, my podcast name, my brand identifier. But lately, I’ve realized something troubling: nobody really knows what it means. Including me, sometimes. When I say “common sense leadership,” people nod knowingly. But when I dig deeper—when I ask what they […]
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June 12th, 2025
Doug Thorpe
The call came at 11:47 PM on a Tuesday. Sarah, a VP at a fast-growing tech company, was supposed to be celebrating—her team had just closed their biggest deal of the year. Instead, she was sitting in her home office, laptop open, responding to “urgent” emails that could have waited until morning. “Doug,” she said […]
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June 4th, 2025
Doug Thorpe
At 11:47 PM, Mark sent his fifteenth email since dinner. By 6:15 AM, he was already checking responses. He called it “dedication.” His family called it “never being present.” His body called it a warning. Mark isn’t unique—he’s part of a silent epidemic sweeping through leadership ranks across every industry. Recent studies reveal that 60% […]
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June 2nd, 2025
Doug Thorpe
You’ve said it a dozen times. Maybe two dozen. Your team nods, takes notes, asks clarifying questions. The meeting ends with what feels like alignment. Then a week later, you’re staring at results that look nothing like what you discussed. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Most executives I work with are brilliant strategists and capable […]
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May 13th, 2025
Doug Thorpe
Picture this: You’re at a big party, surrounded by people, but you might as well be invisible. That’s exactly how 1 in 5 employees feel at work right now, according to recent data from Harvard Business Review. Despite all the Slack channels, Zoom meetings, and office social events, workers are feeling more alone than ever. […]
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April 29th, 2025
Doug Thorpe
In a world crowded with leadership advice, the most important question often goes unasked: “What do YOU want your leadership reputation to be?” While countless books list the attributes of “good leaders,” the truth is that true leadership isn’t about checking off boxes from someone else’s list. It’s about consciously creating your own unique leadership […]
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April 22nd, 2025
Doug Thorpe
In today’s rapidly evolving workplace, a new leadership paradigm is emerging—one that requires skills beyond traditional management approaches. I call this “orchestration leadership,” and like a conductor guiding a symphony orchestra, today’s leaders must harmonize a diverse ensemble of talents, including both human colleagues and artificial intelligence. The Conductor’s Perspective Think about what a conductor […]
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April 21st, 2025
Doug Thorpe
You know that awkward moment at parties when someone asks, “So, what do you do?” and your brain short-circuits trying to find the perfect job title? Welcome to my daily existence. I’m a business coach. No wait—consultant. Actually, advisor might be more accurate. Sometimes confidant? Professional shoulder-to-cry-on? Corporate therapist without the license? Business BFF? My […]
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April 17th, 2025
Doug Thorpe
In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, a profound shift is occurring that’s comparable to the industrial revolution – but at lightning speed. Artificial intelligence is no longer just a fancy tool or competitive advantage; it’s becoming a fundamental part of the organizational talent stack. For business leaders, this isn’t simply about adopting new technology – […]
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April 7th, 2025
Doug Thorpe
There’s a movement sweeping through business schools and investment firms. It’s called “Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition” (ETA). Young, ambitious MBA graduates and career-changers armed with investor backing are hunting for established small businesses to buy. They study spreadsheets. They calculate ROI. They create elaborate acquisition strategies and funding models. They attend workshops on how to find […]
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