08/24/2026
Before you choose the leader, define the work.
Too often, organizations, communities and institutions begin leadership selection by looking at the candidates.
We think the better place to begin is with the assignment.
What problems must be solved?
What must become different?
What capabilities will the next season require?
What results should leadership be accountable for producing?
What kind of thinking does the future demand?
Only then should we ask:
Who is actually prepared to lead it?
The strongest resume is not always the right resume for what comes next.
Sometimes the leadership problem begins before the leader is chosen.
We start evaluating people before we have clearly defined what the next season requires them to lead, solve and build.
The future should determine the leadership standard.
Question the assumption.
Rethink the standard.
Build what should be next.