Every business owner I meet is living somewhere in their own three-act story, … thinking about succession planning, you're likely approaching your own Second Intermission—that messy, behind-the-curtain period between your building years and your legacy act.

AI plays a crucial role in regional competitiveness, reshaping industries while highlighting the value of diverse perspectives and collaboration. Thriving in this landscape requires grit and resilience in leadership to navigate uncertainty and change. At the same time, AI raises existential questions and workplace implications, demanding critical reflection.

A cancelled AI study taught us more about regional leadership needs than a successful one could have. When participation fell short, we discovered leaders need courage-building frameworks, not more AI information, to guide teams through transformation.

You don’t have to be in crisis to benefit from this work. In fact, one of my greatest joys is helping teams stay ahead of unnecessary breakdowns by building healthy communication and shared structures before they’re needed.

This discussion highlights the journey of Alan Fuhs and Tina Dao, co-founders of Liberated Leaders, as they formalized their business partnership with the guidance of Robin Funsten, a facilitator. The conversation emphasizes the importance of intentionality, vulnerability, and a strong foundation in building successful business relationships, mirroring the dedication often seen in long-term marriages.

After a year studying AI readiness across Central and Western North Carolina, our cancelled study reveals something unexpected: limited engagement signals a critical gap in regional readiness. When leaders aren't part of these conversations now, they risk operating from fear when transformation is required.

Alan Fuhs and Tina Dao explore how the balance between quick fixes and long-term strategy can shape a business’s future. Using the metaphor of duct tape and WD-40, they reveal the five D’s that influence longevity — offering insights every entrepreneur and business leader can use to build resilience and innovation.

Too many business owners operate like duct tape is a long-term strategy. In this personal and powerful story, Tina reveals how quick fixes and a lack of planning can cost millions—and how proper preparation can transform a business from a survival tool into a lasting legacy.

When decisions stall at the executive level, it’s often not about skill—it’s about alignment. This story shows how one leader used the Working Genius framework to decode team dynamics, bridge communication gaps, and move a high-stakes merger forward—without ever naming the tool aloud.

How listening differently can unlock clarity and momentum in your most important decisions. Discover how understanding Working Genius can reveal hidden strengths, reduce friction, and bring teams into powerful alignment—even when no one has taken the assessment.

What if feedback isn’t a burden—but a gift?
In this powerful piece, we explore how one leadership team transformed their culture by shifting their mindset around feedback. When leaders stop avoiding difficult conversations and start seeing feedback as a vital tool for growth, everything changes—from team engagement to leadership development and long-term success.

When leaders avoid giving feedback, they unknowingly create a 'feedback failure chain' that erodes culture and threatens competitive advantage. Discover how reframing feedback as a gift transforms organizations and builds authentic leadership cultures where innovation thrives.

In Building a Culture of Joy and Productivity: The Key is Working Genius, one leader shares the quiet realization that changed everything: success without alignment drains you slowly. The 6 Types of Working Genius framework became a roadmap—not just for understanding productivity, but for rediscovering energy, clarity, and joy at work.

Here’s what most leaders don’t realize soon enough: performance without alignment is a slow leak. You can keep going. You can keep delivering. But if the work consistently pulls you away from your Genius, it eventually costs more than it gives.

You decided to join a nonprofit board. No it's important to adjust your mindset. Unlike focused decision-making often found in business, board service requires collective contemplation. Things move at a slower pace, with less aggressive growth and risk-taking. Shifting mindset is one of the many adjustments we had to make on our journey.

Though the constant stream of new innovations in AI can seem intimidating, you can make a small but impactful change today.

The challenge of organizational silos isn't just about efficiency—it's about unlocking your team's full creative potential. The innovative leaders from one of our expert’s workshop recognized this when they shifted from focusing on creativity techniques to addressing the fundamental barriers that prevented their best ideas from flowing freely.

Organizational silos stifle innovation and engagement. Discover three telltale signs of siloed teams and practical strategies to transform disconnected departments into cohesive, high-performing teams that collaborate effectively and drive better business results.