I learned young that a campfire needs more than a spark — it takes hands gathering wood, someone blocking the wind, and a shared “let’s make this happen.” A flame catches fastest when the effort is collective. The same is true professionally: you can’t fuel a winning strategy without inclusion. This shares what I learned about the importance of culture to successful strategies. Morale isn’t about making people feel good. It’s about helping them see the importance of their wor

For most of my career, I sat inside large, complex organizations watching how strategy works. Or doesn’t. I paid attention to the patterns: what helps teams thrive, what quietly erodes momentum, and why some strategies take root while others fade or fail. I didn’t know it at the time, but all that learning was preparing me for something better. Before I tell that story, here’s what I want you to know as you advance your goals: You don’t need to figure everything out alone. Yo