Heidi Hamilton, MBA, FCMC

What makes a great CEO? Well the answer depends a lot on the size of the business they lead. In a small business, the CEO often wears every hat imaginable. They’re close to the ground, deeply operational, and must be comfortable in the detail while juggling strategy, cash flow, hiring, customer relationships, and growth all at once. Success here is about agility, hustle, and sheer resilience. In a mid-sized business, the CEO’s role starts to shift. They still need to understand the operational levers but their focus is increasingly on building scalable systems, shaping culture, and attracting talent who can run functions better than they can. Strategy and execution need to live side by side, and the ability to balance risk with bold growth bets becomes critical. In an enterprise business, the role evolves again. Here, the CEO must focus on vision, governance, external stakeholders, and orchestrating a complex ecosystem of executives, board members, regulators, and investors. Success is about alignment, influence, and inspiring a huge organisation to move in the same direction. What’s fascinating is how the skills that make a small business CEO thrive can be quite different from those required at enterprise scale. Yet at every level, one thing remains constant: the best CEOs know how to listen, learn, and lead with clarity. Curious to hear from those of you who have worked with CEOs across different stages of growth, what differences have you noticed and who you think are best placed for to run a PE portco? #OaktreeTreeLeadershipTips #CSuiteJobsAustralia #StrategyJobsAustralia

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How do you measure the success of a change? A question we were asked in a recent client interaction. It seemed obvious to us, with our focus on value realisation and delivery of strategic outcomes. It starts with clarity of those outcomes and value and measures of the success, or not. Then we paused, and wondered, what is behind the question. Instead of leaping in, we pivoted and asked 'How do YOU measure the success of a change?', or 'do you measure it?' Think about it. There is what you intend, right at the very beginning, the business case which got the original funding. Then stuff (life, priorities, challenges) happens along the way and things morph. Some change agents may never see the business case, some project team members may not even know it exists, or what it says. The value in it may not be linked to outcomes that are tangible, or measurable. If I have a $1m benefit on better 'customer service', do I measure that the reduction in time to answer the phone or questions links to increased retention and repeat orders? A phrase we use a lot. If you can't measure it, don't do it. Measures are important. They help you understand where you are, where you want to be and when you get there. Measures only work if they are measurable, or tangible. Whether that is a number, or clearly observed behaviour. When we take on a client assignment we look for tangibility and it is the first thing we fix. Without it performance is subjective. We even have an AI agent that goes through our clients project documentation and finds subjectivity and recommends tangible alternatives. Subjective statements include things like 'better, improved, world class, leading, reduced, growth'. Things that are better left to a marketing document. Tangibility can lead to discomfort, holding teams to account for the delivery of an outcome. If you struggle with accountabilty in your organisation, then high levels of subjectivity may be why. We use the principle of boundary lines to help too. We define, with tangibility, what good looks like, and what bad looks like. It helps reduce interpretation. If you can't measure it, don't do it. Finally, if stuff happens and the measure of success is at threat, call it early. Use the triple constraint (scope, resources, time) to help you structure your thinking and ask for what you need. If it isn't recoverable, or is no longer viable, don't wait and burn more resources, have the conversation and raise awareness with others. Sooner rather than later. No surprises. In summary 1. Remove tangibility, look for the language 2. Use boundaries to give clarity 3. Use measures wisely, make them actionable 4. If the measure is unattainable, call it quickly Practical wise advice from the team at Irrational Change If you enjoy practical thinking, like this, then consider our Bootcamp. It is jam packed full of BeSci informed tactics and general wiseness.

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🎙️New TFR Episode: “Learner Personas – How Thinking Like a Marketer Can Transform Learning” 💡When we design for what people think and feel, they engage, apply, and feel like they’re making a difference. I first met Bianca Baumann when we were both presenting at DisruptHR Toronto and saw people leaning in to her talk on this idea of how thinking like a marketer can transform learning. In this episode, Bianca, VP of Learning & Innovation Ardent, Author and Speaker at global conferences, shares how using learner personas can make training more relevant, human, and effective. Why this feels right: ➡️Personas go deeper than job titles ➡️“Am I making a difference?” is the question that great learning answers ➡️Off-the-shelf content often misses the mark — relevance is engaging. Bianca also gives us a sneak peek at her upcoming book: she co-authored with 🌀Mike Taylor: Think Like a Marketer, Train Like an L&D Pro. Episode links in comments

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𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗙𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 Why do so many high-achieving professionals feel stuck when speaking another language—𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺’𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘭𝘶𝘦𝘯𝘵? In this week’s episode of 𝘍𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘍𝘭𝘶𝘦𝘯𝘵, I sat down with business coach and consultant Kristina Driskill DMA, SEAC, CBC to explore the quiet ways 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 shows up in language learning. We talk about: 💬 Guilt 💬 Shame 💬 Perfectionism 💬 And in this clip, something called 𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴—where people look successful on the outside, but feel like they’re hiding their true voice inside. If you’ve ever felt like your words don’t match your worth— Or like you’re 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 instead of expressing— This conversation is for you. 📱Tune in because you’re not alone, and you’re definitely not the only one feeling this way:  https://lnkd.in/eBivmq6F

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How Leaders Reset After Negative Interactions (Part 3) 👉🏾BTW, This may not be for you, if not, keep scrolling 😎Otherwise I have a few more things for you to consider. If you are just joining this series, Parts One and Two walked through the emotional reality of negative interactions with other people and the tactical reset process I coach leaders through. (make sure to go back and read the past two parts if you missed it) Today is about what happens after the reset. This is where reputational capital is either recovered or multiplied. A VP I coached last year learned this the hard way. She was in a tense budget review, and a peer tried to undermine her proposal with passive-aggressive comments. Her instinct was to defend and over-explain. She felt her credibility slipping. She excused herself briefly, stepped into the hallway, and applied the reset steps. She returned with three things most leaders forget to activate in moments like this: 1. The power of strategic composure. She fronted and responded slowly and directly, which signaled authority instead of insecurity. 2. A shift from proving to leading. She anchored her points to business impact rather than personal validation. Focus on facts not feelings during this type of interaction. 3. Presence that communicates credibility before she speaks. Her body language announced confidence. Her tone confirmed it. Later that day, her CFO said, “I noticed how you handled the pushback. That was executive leadership.” Here is the key insight: Resets are not just about recovering your energy. It's about protecting your influence. High-level professionals are watched more closely in uncomfortable moments. People decide whether to trust you, follow you, or advocate for you based on how you navigate pressure. Anyone can lead when everything is smooth. Real leaders are defined in the heat of the moment. If you are a high-achieving leader who wants to strengthen executive presence, emotional regulation, and performance under pressure, message me LEADERSHIP. I will share next steps for a private coaching partnership where we transform how you show up in every room where it matters. It's time for... More confidence. More composure. More credibility. Exactly when you need it most. Coach Karen #executiveleadership #recovery #bodylanguage #confidence # composure #confidence #credibility

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After 30+ years as an entrepreneur and working with, studying and observing countless founders across Canada, I've come to realize: success rarely follows a straight line. It’s a winding path fueled by vision, shaped by setbacks, and sustained by passion and resilience. Here’s what I’ve seen firsthand and learned along the way: • Start Small, Think Big Many of the most successful ventures began in kitchens, basements, or garages. Constraints sparked creativity, but it was vision and taking action on that vision that scaled the idea. • Mission-Driven Growth Wins Brands rooted in purpose - health, transparency, sustainability don’t just sell products. They build communities. When your “why” is clear, your customers become advocates. • Adaptability is Everything Markets change. Regulations shift. Tastes evolve. The most enduring entrepreneurs pivot without losing purpose. • Quality and Authenticity Matter In crowded markets, the real difference is relentless focus on quality and honest storytelling. Integrity isn’t just a value, it’s a competitive advantage. • Collaboration Multiplies Impact Great partnerships, whether between co-founders or with retailers can accelerate momentum. No one builds a brand alone. • Transparency Builds Trust Today’s consumers want to know the origin story - literally. Traceability and openness forge lasting loyalty. • Bold Marketing Breaks Through Sometimes it’s grassroots. Sometimes it’s a celebrity. But the lesson is clear: playing it safe rarely gets noticed. • Resilience and Passion: The Entrepreneur’s Superpowers Every founder I’ve met has hit walls - financial, regulatory, personal. Those who succeeded kept going. Passion kept them grounded in purpose. Resilience kept them moving forward. Here's to: • Let passion drive your culture and customer experience • Build resilience, learn from every challenge • Stay adaptable, but never lose your vision • Remember: Small starts can lead to big outcomes Whether you're launching your first product or leading a seasoned company, these lessons hold true. There are many more lessons still to be learned. Entrepreneurship isn’t a job - it’s a mindset. Congratulations to these True North Visionaries for their vision and inspiration: Craig E. Harder, ICD.D Emrick Giroux, Hailey Hastie, Kapil Kalra, Zach Davie, Mitch Jacobsen, P.Eng., Barron Lau, Adrianne Fekete, Karolina Kuliš, Frank Cristiano, Johnny Borsellino, Ed Madronich, Brad Woodgate, Steve McVicker, Jasmine Byrne, Amanda Kenny, Jenny Sior, Kirk Homenick, Stefano Faita, Cristina Faita, Leila Kairns, Suzie Yorke, Alicia Lahey, Jeff Lahey

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Thought to share some insights about books I've read. So I'll start with "Selling To VITO"; I got this book in 2007 and have read it over 10 times since then. The top 3 Lessons from Selling to VITO were: 1️⃣ Go straight to the top – Stop wasting time with gatekeepers. VITOs (Very Important Top Officers) have the power to say YES. 2️⃣ Speak their language – Focus on ROI, results, and business impact. Ditch the product talk; lead with outcomes. 3️⃣ Craft sharp, strategic messages – Every touchpoint should be personalized, concise, and value-driven. 🎯 Why read it? It’s not theory — it’s a playbook. If you want to sell smarter, faster, and bigger, this one’s for you. #B2BSales #SalesTips #SellingToVITO #SalesLeadership #SalesStrategy #LinkedInLearning

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Owner dependency blocks growth and steals freedom. Independence requires intentional Structure and Leadership design. The ultimate business success isn't revenue or client count, it's creating an operation that produces results without requiring your constant presence and attention. Here's how to transform from indispensable bottleneck to strategic leader: Step 1: Document everything that lives in your head Critical processes, client preferences, decision criteria - everything currently requiring your memory needs external documentation. This feels tedious but remains essential because knowledge trapped personally prevents anyone else from maintaining quality or consistency. Step 2: Establish decision authority frameworks Define three zones clearly: what team can decide independently (Green), what requires consultation (Yellow), and what needs approval (Red). Most decisions should be Green once parameters are clear, allowing work to flow without waiting for your input constantly. Step 3: Develop leaders who can develop others Stop being the only person who trains, coaches, and develops team capability. Build leaders who can guide others to higher performance. This multiplies your impact because leadership capability compounds across the organization instead of flowing only from you. Step 4: Create accountability systems that work without you Regular check-ins, clear metrics, and defined escalation paths ensure standards are maintained even when you're unavailable. Accountability shouldn't depend on your physical presence or constant oversight to function effectively. Step 5: Test independence systematically Take progressively longer absences to identify remaining dependency points. Start with days, then weeks, eventually longer periods. Each absence reveals which systems need strengthening before true independence exists. The business owner who achieved this: One client couldn't take more than two consecutive days off without operations deteriorating after eight years of building her business. We spent four months implementing Structure and Leadership systems that enabled autonomous operation. Six months later, she took a 3-week vacation with 0 business communication and returned to find operations running smoothly with strong results. The freedom result: Your business becomes an asset that produces value rather than a demanding job that consumes your life and limits your options. What systems need creation or strengthening before your business can operate independently of your daily involvement? If you're rich but still broke, let's fix what's really going on. Please get on my calendar to learn more. Link in comments. #strategy #business #creativity #innovation #richbutbrokenomorewithfran

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🗣️ “Mirrors reflect, but AI magnifies. And AI doesn’t have values—it scales values.” — James Francis In our latest Narativ Inc Leadership Story Talks podcast episode, Julienne B. Ryan and I sit down with James Francis—investor, technologist, and creator of the Artificial Integrity framework—to explore how we can guide AI with empathy, justice, and accountability. James shares why building AI isn’t just a technical challenge—it’s a leadership challenge. From preserving cultural voices to ensuring transparency, he makes the case for AI that elevates humanity rather than flattening it. 🎧 You’ll hear: ✅ Artificial Integrity – A framework for embedding ethics and empathy from the ground up. ✅ Trust & Transparency – Why marginalized voices must be included to prevent AI from scaling bias. ✅ Cultural Intelligence – Designing systems that don’t just mimic communities, but truly understand them. ✅ Leadership, Not Just Tech – Why the future of AI depends on better humans, not just smarter machines. 👉 What values do you think AI should be scaling in your organization—or in society at large? Check the links in the comments to both YouTube and podcast versions. #Leadership #AI #Storytelling #Ethics #ArtificialIntegrity #Inclusion #LeadershipStoryTalks

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