My first consulting engagement. Traveling internationally with the head of practice and another consultant, presenting to CEOs. Summer of 2007.

I Know What It Means To Start Again...
With Nothing But Your Will.

This is my fifth restart.
Not metaphorical. Not optional. 
Real-life ground zero. Again.

I started over 4 times before.
Across 3 continents.
Across what it feels like multiple lifetimes.

Each time, walking away from everything I knew and starting again from the ground zero.

People think starting over is brave.

It probably is.
But for me, starting over was the only choice.
Staying, that would be much harder.

I first learned to survive in Russia.
Not later. There.

By 4-5 years old, I already knew what it meant to carry someone you love, literally.
My grandmother carried my drunk grandfather on her back, and I walked beside her through the gloomy streets of Samara, making sure his feet didn’t get caught, and carrying her purse.
My grandmother didn’t allow me to help her lift him, but you wouldn’t accuse me of a lack of trying the entire time we walked home.

We lived in one half of a tiny house.
There was no shower. No hot water.
Just a hole in the backyard that was used as a toilet, with pieces of old free newspapers used as toilet paper.
Imagine going there when it is minus 40, windy, and dark outside.

And still, I was a happy child when I was with her.
Because my grandmother, Galina, loved me.
Unconditionally.

That’s what kids actually need.
They can go to bed hungry,
but they can’t go to bed deprived of love without significant consequences.

I went to bed deprived of love when I wasn't with her.
And if it wasn’t for her, I don’t know who I would be today.

She taught me that you don’t need much to be rich in spirit.
And that no matter how little we had, we had each other.

Life wasn't easy. I stood in long lines for hours to get one stick of margarine, and hoped they wouldn’t run out before my turn. But she was the light of my life.
After she died, I learned a different kind of survival.
The kind where you hide who you are to stay safe.

I changed my name.
I learned to be really quiet.
I literally could say nothing for hours.
I played the piano, taught piano, composed music, and sang at weddings and nightclubs, but never had enough for a taxi home.

Some nights, I didn’t know if I’d make it home at all.
Samara is not a safe place, especially once the sun is down.
But my job required me to return home when it is dark.
I crossed the street to avoid people, especially after I was attacked with a knife on the street, in daylight.

Still, I didn’t give up.
I started over again in a place where I didn’t speak the language.

I had no experience, no business skills, $1,000 of my life savings, and no recognized degree (my music institution wasn’t listed in the Western database).

I made money using all the skills I had:
teaching piano and Russian, doing translations, and working as a voice coach.
I learned to code and coded my first website. I then optimized it for search engines and students started finding me and booking lessons.

In parallel, I spent hours each day applying for every job I could find. After 8 months of applying daily, I finally received an offer: $500/month.
I had been rejected at first for being overqualified.
But the woman who accepted the job died tragically, and they offered the role to me.

I worked like it was my company.
I was the first person in and the last one out. Not just in the office of my company but in the entire office building. It was just me and security.
I cut manufacturing costs by 25% by renegotiating all contracts.
I created marketing catalogs.
I walked to the post office and carried heavy mail because I didn’t have a car.
Some days, I was absolutely starving because I just didn't make enough money to buy sufficient food.

When I wasn’t working, I was studying.
I translated every sentence, word by word, with a pencil in hand.
On top of it, I was still teaching. Still translating. 

Free time was something I understood… just not something I ever got to experience.

I didn’t have fun. I didn’t rest.
I just did what it took.
And it took a lot to work towards reaching the level of contribution, impact, and success I was aiming for.

Eventually, that hard work paid off.

I joined a large consulting firm.

And I earned accelerated promotions.
Because I made myself indispensable.
I solved complex problems. Took full ownership. Delivered.

After that, I pursued my MBA in Canada.
I used all the money I saved during consulting days to pay for it.
At one point, all I had left in my bank account was $76.
Here I was turning 30 and still not having money to buy food.
Why? Because I started over in a new country.
Again.
 

And this is what it took.

I graduated with distinction in every subject.
I refused to be average.
I gave it everything I had.

That opened more doors.
I entered banking and managed a portfolio worth over $1 billion. I was part of a corporate finance division and got promoted to Director within 6 months of joining.

And I never forgot what it felt like to count coins to buy bread.

Then I partnered with someone I deeply respect, and we built a company of our own.
Not with funding. Not with privilege.
With belief. With long hours. With everything we had.

I am very proud of what we accomplished within FIRMSconsulting over the last >15 years.
And I’ve given it everything.
Even when it took too much out of me.
And I will continue to do so.

I’m starting over again this year.

As you may know, in January, I got caught up in a natural disaster.
That day, I left my home and didn’t return.
Since then, I’ve been living out of a suitcase.

This 5th restart has been the hardest of all.

Because this time, I didn’t choose it.

A natural disaster is not something you prepare for.
You just survive it and try to keep going.

But payroll doesn’t pause because you don't have a home to go to.
You still have to deliver for your clients. 
You have to make sure neither your clients nor your business falls behind, given how the world is moving forward at a record speed.
Technology advancements will not pause while you try to rebuild your life.

So I kept moving.
And I’m still rebuilding, piece by piece.

So yes, I’ve started over five times now. I am in the process of rebuilding for the 5th time as we speak.
And here’s what I’ve learned:

Starting over is not the point.

The point is, if you can, build in the right place the first time.
Don’t waste your energy rebuilding over and over.

Most people can’t break out of their orbit even once, in the city where they were born.
Doing it more than once takes a toll on your health.
Doing it in another city is hard. Doing it in another country is brutal.

It drains your time, your energy. It impacts your health.
And it forces you to sacrifice things no one else sees.

And once you build something,
do everything to keep it.

That means choosing what you protect.
It means staying when staying is harder than running.
It means building slowly and not leaving the moment it gets hard.
It means not damaging your reputation, not becoming distracted when you get some success and think you have a luxury now to "be normal" and "live your life."

Because if you run every time it hurts…
If you try to "be normal" when "normal" does not correspond with the results you want, you will fall behind. You will start losing what you have built.
You will get older.
You lose your edge.
People will stop seeing you as the superstar you once were.
And you accumulate regrets.

If you’re in a place of starting again,
I know how hard it is.

But I also know how beautiful life becomes
when you choose to stay.
When you choose to build a worthwhile life.
When you decide not to dial back when it seems like you could coast for a while.

Don't lose momentum. It is very hard to regain it, and many people never regain it once they lose it.

Some Days, You Look in the Mirror…
...and See a Billion-Dollar Gremlin Staring Back.

This is going to be a mega post because I have a lot to share with you today. It wouldn’t make sense to break it up. If you're short on time, I recommend reading it in parts, because what’s inside could genuinely shift how you think, lead, and make decisions.

Let's start...

Since the firestorm that devastated parts of Los Angeles, including my own neighborhood, I’ve been living out of a suitcase. For now, I’m traveling through Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, continuing to work, think, and reflect from the road.

Here’s a photo of me at the Hong Kong airport, and another of the night sky on the way to my hotel. My home won’t be safe to return to until at least December or January. But something else happened at the time of the fire. It had nothing to do with the house. Something that broke my heart, broke my soul, when I thought I had been through so much in my life that my heart, my soul could no longer be broken. 

What followed was the dark night of the soul. And I am sure you have seen it from the podcast episodes recorded during those periods. But I still showed up for our clients and members. And I think we did exceptional work during that period.

And eventually, I was able to find enough strength to move forward. And I learned a lot from those dark weeks and months. If you’re going through your own dark night of the soul, I hope these photos remind you that it will pass. I can again smile, and my heart is in one piece, even though the cracks will never go away. You’re not alone, and you’re stronger than you think.

But what I want to talk to you about today… is a doll.

Not just any doll.

A troll-looking, up-to-2-foot-tall character named Labubu, that helped elevate a fast-growing Chinese collectibles brand into a $44 billion giant.

So, how did this happen?

And what can we learn from it?

Pop Mart, the company behind Labubu, started as a small designer shop in Beijing in 2010. They sold "blind boxes," you don’t know which collectible you’ll get until you open it. It grew. By 2019, they had 300 stores and 2,000 vending machines.

Then, in 2023, everything changed.

Rihanna was spotted with a pink Labubu keychain on her Louis Vuitton bag as she was stepping into an airport terminal.

At the same time, in Thailand, these dolls started being seen as spiritual guardians.

A member of K-pop phenomenon Blackpink, Lisa, discovered them while visiting a friend in Thailand. Her friend wanted to go buy one of those dolls. At first, Lisa wasn't interested in getting one. But when her friend was told that Labubu could not be purchased, she decided she wanted one. And started collecting them to cope with the stress of being a K-pop star, and then posted about it.

That single Instagram story was the spark that lit the fire.

Since then, Labubu has been clipped to the bags of Kim Kardashian, David Beckham, and countless others. Some editions now sell for over $100,000. The dolls generated $700 million last year alone, nearly half of Pop Mart’s revenue.

And the stock is up 7x. In one year.

But before we go deeper, I want to pause and acknowledge something important.

Labubu wasn’t created by Pop Mart’s marketing team or some global toy conglomerate.

It came from the heart of one person.

A young Chinese artist named Kasing Lung began sketching a world of strange, expressive creatures that didn’t fit the mold. They weren’t traditionally cute. They had sharp teeth. Blank stares. Strange outfits. They were what some people call “ugly-cute.” Kind of like me during the day of the mega LA fire and the weeks and months after.

They were also deeply expressive.

They made you feel something. Even if you weren’t sure what.

Back in 2015, long before the hype, Kasing Lung created an entire world, a trilogy of picture books inspired by Nordic mythology. He filled them with magical characters, both good and evil, and called the collection The Monsters.

Among them was a small creature with high, pointed ears and serrated teeth.

His name was Labubu.

Despite the mischievous grin, Labubu was kind-hearted. He always meant to help, but often accidentally made things worse.

The kind of character you root for.

Because many of us have been there.

For years, nothing happened. Just a small community that loved his art. His style (emotive, melancholic, "ugly-cute") was well-regarded in the underground art toy world. But then, in 2019, he partnered with Pop Mart.

The machine met the soul.

And the world eventually caught on.

That’s the part we often forget when we talk about viral trends and billion-dollar outcomes.

It didn’t start with funding or strategy decks or influencer campaigns.

It started with someone following a spark in their heart and putting love into creating something based on it, long before anyone was watching.

If you pause and look deeper, this strange, viral, “ugly-cute” doll for adults offers an important lesson about success and about what matters in the work we choose to do.

Let’s take a closer look, because what made this doll succeed has everything to do with how meaningful work connects with people.

Why did Labubu become a phenomenon?

It wasn’t just luck. Or branding. Or even celebrity influence.

It was psychology:

Here are just some of the things that are going on here:

1) The status anchor: Clipped onto a $5,000 bag, even a $25 doll becomes aspirational.

2) The mimetic desire: A term popularized by philosopher René Girard. It means we imitate the desires of others, especially those we admire or see as high-status. 

3) The lipstick effect: In recessions or hard times, consumers buy smaller luxury goods (like lipstick or small collectibles) as affordable indulgences.

4) The nostalgia factor: Adults seeking comfort in childlike things during uncertain times.

5) The portability factor: It wasn’t a toy you left at home. It was a keychain. You carried it with you. That made it more likely to appear in street photos, on luxury bags, in airport terminals, and across social media. And because it traveled with you, it became part of your look: an accessory that signaled taste, individuality, and status. That portability turned it from a collectible into a personal brand statement, and that helped fuel the phenomenon.

6) The “ugly-cute” effect: Imperfect but makes you feel something, even if you are not sure what. It becomes lovable. We can relate to this character. There were days in our lives when we looked a little bit like this.

And some days, we relate to Labubu more than we’d like to admit.

This is me. Cozy coat, slightly wide-eyed, trying to hold it all together (and this photo was from before the fire, so imagine what I looked like after).

There’s something about Labubu’s look, especially the eyes, that just says:
 

"I’ve seen things. I’ve survived."

That’s probably why we connect to these little creatures.

Not because they’re perfect… but because we see ourselves in them.

And Pop Mart? They executed with excellence. They combined artistry, scarcity, a strong IP model, physical retail + vending, and a gacha (surprise box) mechanic that hooks the collector instinct.

But here’s the catch.

The founders and analysts know it won’t last. Like Beanie Babies, Pokémon, Cabbage Patch Kids, this will peak and crash.

And yet it was and still is a wild success.

So, what does this mean for you?

You’re probably not trying to create the next Labubu.

But you are trying to build something you can be proud of. Something meaningful. Work that sustains your family, challenges you to grow, and contributes real value to the world.

- Maybe you're climbing the ranks at Amazon, Microsoft, or Google.
- Maybe you're rising through McKinsey, Deloitte, PwC, or KPMG.
- Maybe you're leading global teams at a major bank, or working on life-saving breakthroughs at a pharmaceutical company.
- Maybe you're building a business, leading a team, or writing a book.

Whatever path you’re on, if you’ve ever wondered whether your work can break through the noise, this story should encourage you.

Labubu didn’t succeed by being logical, perfect, or designed for the masses.

It broke through because it was honest, emotional, and real.

It succeeded because it was created from the heart, from the soul.

Unapologetically odd.

Full of emotion.

Backed by an artist who was ok with being judged.

Imagine a conversation during a family dinner. The kind where expectations are served alongside the rice, back when those dolls were just drawings.

– What are you working on?
– I’m creating a series of illustrated books.
– For children?
– Not exactly. It’s based on Nordic myths. 
– And it pays?
– Not really. Not yet.
– [A long pause.]
– You know your cousin just finished med school.
– I know.
– And your brother just got promoted at the bank.
– I know.
[He hesitates, then turns his phone toward her, showing a sketch.] 
- What’s that?
– One of my characters. Labubu. He looks mischievous, but he’s kind. Always tries to help. Usually messes it up.
– And who’s that for?
– People who’ve felt out of place.
– Hm. This is not good. Don't you realize, talent is fine, but life isn’t a fairytale.
– No. But stories can still matter.

The key to the success of these dolls was the love he put into his work.

And that is what cuts through.

In fact, I believe success is always the product of this simple formula:
 

(Knowledge/Skills + Effort + Execution + Time) x Love

(Knowledge/Skills = Subject-Matter Expertise + Business Judgement + Ability to Speak + Write + Think + Lead)

- Without knowledge/skills you just don't have a long enough life to figure out everything on your own.
- Without effort (consistent, focused hard work), talent remains unused.
- Without execution, nothing gets done.
- Without time, nothing compounds.
- Without love, the work doesn’t resonate. Love gives your work soul.

We teach each component of this formula within our memberships on StrategyTraining.com and in our coaching programs.

That’s why when we created the Win When It’s Hard book, our latest bestselling book co-authored by members of our own community, the reviews praised the raw honesty people brought to their chapters. You can feel how much heart was in it.

The chapters were meaningful. Thank you for your very kind words in reviews, by the way. It means a lot.

My life has been turned upside down by the fire this year. Not because I was afraid to die. Not because I was afraid to lose all my things or my house. There are some other things that happened surrounding the fire events that knocked me to my knees. And it took tremendous effort to keep holding it all together for everyone, completing my obligations to our community, our team, to myself, while getting myself out of that hole. 

But, I see more clearly than ever now and am able to help clients even in more difficult circumstances than before.

I can leverage those dark nights of the soul, those weeks and months, to create even more value for people in our community.

You must create the thing that only you can create.

When you follow your heart, money tends to follow you, not the other way around.

What moves people is not perfection. It’s work done from your heart and soul that leverages all your experiences and knowledge. It’s care. It’s something real.

Something that only you could create.

So I want to leave you with this:

In a world chasing trends and quick wins, choose to build something that only you can build. Something created with love. Even if you've forgotten how to feel, life has beaten you up too much. When it comes to life's work, you have to go within. See what you care about. And do that work leveraging all your knowledge and experience. And do it with the best intentions for the world.

That’s how you create something that will deliver outsized value to people.

That’s how careers turn into legacies.

That is all for today. Hope you have an amazing week ahead, and please don’t hesitate to reach out. The entire FC team, including Michael and me, cares deeply about your success and happiness. You can see it in everything we do, even during the hardest times.

There’s a Japanese proverb I love: “Adversity reveals one’s true nature.” And this year, both as a company and personally, we were tested.

We didn’t slow down. We didn't deprioritize our commitments to clients and members.

We pressed harder on the gas pedal because our mission means, you mean, that much to us.

SCRA New: (249 SLIDES) Sales Force Effectiveness Study for an Industrial Concern

We released another significant update: Sales Force Effectiveness Study for an Industrial Concern (249 slides). It is accessible within the Strategy Control Room, Advanced Level.

These internal strategy documents were developed from actual executive-led projects and are now shared to support consultants, executives, and business leaders working to strengthen commercial performance under pressure.

Each document provides a structured analysis of how large sales organizations adapted their models, redefined customer engagement, and recalibrated coverage to maintain competitiveness during periods of market volatility. Readers will gain a grounded, detailed understanding of what drives sustainable sales productivity across business units, geographies, and industries.

Inside these materials, we’ll explore:

• A systems approach to diagnosing sales underperformance, how one team improved quota attainment by 9% without increasing headcount simply by correcting coaching protocols, KPIs, and incentive clarity.

• A method for re-segmenting strategic accounts using behavioral data rather than revenue tiers, which led to a 3x increase in conversion rates.

• A “red zone” diagnostic framework for analyzing pipeline delays, enabling teams to support lagging reps rather than replace them, resulting in a 17% increase in sales velocity.

• A dynamic coverage model where territories are reassigned quarterly based on demand and product priorities, improving both efficiency and frontline engagement.

• Enablement strategies that tie directly to field scenarios, replacing generic training with sales simulations based on current commercial obstacles.

By reviewing this study, you will learn how to:

• Identify and close systemic performance gaps in your sales organization

• Refine customer segmentation strategies to improve resource allocation

• Design diagnostic tools to inform coaching, not just reporting

• Shift to agile coverage models that reflect real-time priorities

• Equip teams with relevant tools and training that drive adoption and results

Whether your focus is revenue stabilization, accelerated growth, or operational clarity, this series offers rigorously tested frameworks that can be adapted to your environment.

HOW TO FIND SALES FORCE EFFECTIVENESS STUDY FOR AN INDUSTRIAL CONCERN:

1. Log in to The Strategy Control Room, Advanced Level, membership area.
2. See the "Full Engagements" dropdown. 
3. Select "14 Sales Force Effectiveness Study for an Industrial Concern (249 SLIDES)"

If you are The Strategy Control Room, Advanced Level, member, here is the direct link to this particular update.

If you joined an Advanced Level of the Strategy Control Room today, you would find the most powerful strategy, problem-solving, consulting, and results-oriented leadership reading library in the world. The resources include:

• Michael's explanation slides for selected programs on StrategyTraining.com

• 14 full engagements

• Change Management Influence & Persuasion Center of Excellence 

• Detailed Business Case Methodology Center of Excellence 

• Encyclopedia of Strategy Analyses Center of Excellence 

• Corporate Training Center of Excellence

• One-Week Immersion: Consulting Onboarding/Consulting Mastery Center of Excellence

• 36 proposals

• Flipcharts

• Layout guides

• 17 strategy and problem-solving books which we do not make available anywhere else

• 2 brand new strategy and problem-solving books just released and not available anywhere else

• 11 book drafts never before available and not available anywhere else

• Case interview materials for Felix, Rafik, Samantha, and Sanjeev, case interview exhibits, case interview solutions

• The evolution of corporate strategy

• The business case toolkit

• Implementation and operation toolkit

• Corporate strategy toolkit

• Strategy maps

• And more 

Enroll as a Strategy Control Room Advanced Member

And if you are not yet an Insider or Legacy member and want to gain access to video and audio advanced programs on StrategyTraining.com, we invite you to explore membership options (scroll down). We recommend to start with Insider or Legacy membership as a base membership and add the Strategy Control Room (Advanced Level) as an add-on when the time is right for you.

Take this opportunity to invest in yourself and your future. StrategyTraining.com resources can be transformative for your career, but it's up to you to make time to study the resources and focus on quick integration. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at team@firmsconsulting.com.

New Releases on StrategyTraining.com

New releases include a major update to the Strategy Control Room Advanced (Business Management Process Best Practice Guide, 156 SLIDES), alongside advanced new episodes on consulting growth, leadership, and long-term career design.

Each release is a structured system built for immediate application and long-term impact.

Here’s what’s now available for members on StrategyTraining.com:
 

For Strategy Control Room Advanced Members

Another major update: a new comprehensive 156 slides best practice guide was released.

Business Management Process Best Practice Guide - A major release on BMP best practices. 156 SLIDES.

This new guide documents how to design and run a Business Management Process (BMP) that drives performance across an organization. It walks through the full governance cycle, key templates, meeting rhythms, and escalation protocols used in high-performing enterprises. You'll see how to implement BMP using both Balanced ScoreCard (BSC) and Plan-Do-Review (PDR) frameworks, designed to translate strategy into operational traction.

For Insider Members

These new training episodes were released.

The Real Reason You Are Not Being Promoted – Episode 16 of 18
This 18-part Insider program challenges the conventional wisdom of career growth, helping ambitious professionals rethink promotions, leadership roles, and long-term wealth creation.
Episode title: Action Next Step #10

Building a Consulting Practice. Level II – Episode 6 of TBD
Building a Consulting Practice (Level 2) picks up where Building a Consulting Practice (Level 1) left off. While Level 1 lays the foundational principles of setting up or rebuilding a consulting business, whether as an independent firm or as a practice within a major consulting firm, Level 2 takes you into the advanced art of turning routine client work into an engine for long-term growth.

Michael opens the door to rarely discussed skills: how to reframe client conversations away from low-value, transactional tasks and into high-impact, strategic engagements. How to uncover hidden opportunities even when no obvious “problem” exists, and how to position yourself as a trusted partner invited into the most critical issues, not as a vendor chasing projects.

Through the lens of a real-world operations strategy study, you will see how an unglamorous project became the seedbed for a completely new consulting practice. You’ll learn how to apply sharp strategic thinking in operational contexts, how to triangulate discussions toward your strengths, and how to scale a practice that thrives beyond any single engagement.

Level 1 teaches you the business of consulting. Level 2 shows you how to expand that business into a powerhouse. Together, in addition to a few other programs on StrategyTraining.com, such as Partnership. Memoir, Rebuilding a Consulting Practice, and How to Build an Innovation Division, these programs provide a roadmap for consultants at every stage who are ready to master not just delivery but sustainable, long-term growth.
Episode title: Fourth meeting, and surprising engagement

Why Am I Not Happy? How Can I Be Happy? Episode 12 of 14
Practical insights to help you recognize the patterns that are draining your energy and how to stop them. 
Episode title: Must listen to at the end

For Legacy Members

In addition to all Insider episodes, Legacy members receive these exclusive episodes:

Why You're Unlikely to Get the Sponsor You Really Need - Episode 4 of 4
It is important to find the right sponsor, but the real power lies in becoming someone worth sponsoring. This program shows you how the path to sponsorship begins not with who you know but with how visibly you create value.
Episode title: Therapist vs coach vs mentor vs sponsor

(New) Segmenting Your Customers - Episode 2 of 5
What happens when the way you earn a living slowly pulls you away from who you really are? This program unpacks how inauthenticity creeps in, why it leads to burnout, and what it takes to rebuild both your brand and your sense of self.
Episode title: Your newsletter is your investor relations

(New) Resiliency and Scenario Planning - Episode 1 of 5
This is a very important new Legacy program. The real strength of your strategy is not only in getting it right, but in how quickly you can recover when you're wrong. This program challenges conventional planning models and shows why resilience, not perfection, may be the ultimate strategic advantage.
Episode title: Resiliency and uncertainty

Insiders can move to Legacy anytime and back to Insider without losing Insider status. Email us at team@firmsconsulting.com so we can manually restore your Insider status when you move back to Insider (provided there are no gaps in subscription).

June 23 - June 29 releases on StrategyTraining.com

This week’s update includes one of the most substantial releases we’ve made to date: a complete 249-slide sales force strategy study, alongside advanced new episodes on consulting growth, leadership, and long-term career design.

Each release is a structured system, built for immediate application and long-term impact.

Here’s what’s now available for members on StrategyTraining.com:
 

For Strategy Control Room Advanced Members

Another major update: a new comprehensive 249-slide study was released this week.

Sales Force Effectiveness Study for an Industrial Concern -  A major review of sales force strategy. 249 SLIDES.

We conducted a Sales Force Effectiveness (SFE) performance gap analysis across eight business units. This comprehensive engagement includes diagnostic tools, benefit case modeling, and practical action plans tailored to each BU. You’ll see detailed insights into competency gaps, pricing challenges, sales process inefficiencies, and a roadmap to unlock up to 21% CAGR. Full data, recommendations, and strategic transformation frameworks included.

For Insider Members

These new training episodes were released.

(NEW) Building a Consulting Practice. Level II – Episode 5 of TBD
Building a Consulting Practice (Level 2) picks up where Building a Consulting Practice (Level 1) left off. While Level 1 lays the foundational principles of setting up or rebuilding a consulting business, whether as an independent firm or as a practice within a major consulting firm, Level 2 takes you into the advanced art of turning routine client work into an engine for long-term growth.

Michael opens the door to rarely discussed skills: how to reframe client conversations away from low-value, transactional tasks and into high-impact, strategic engagements. How to uncover hidden opportunities even when no obvious “problem” exists, and how to position yourself as a trusted partner invited into the most critical issues, not as a vendor chasing projects.

Through the lens of a real-world operations strategy study, you will see how an unglamorous project became the seedbed for a completely new consulting practice. You’ll learn how to apply sharp strategic thinking in operational contexts, how to triangulate discussions toward your strengths, and how to scale a practice that thrives beyond any single engagement.

Level 1 teaches you the business of consulting. Level 2 shows you how to expand that business into a powerhouse. Together, in addition to a few other programs on StrategyTraining.com, such as Partnership. Memoir, Rebuilding a Consulting Practice, How to Build an Innovation Division, these programs provide a roadmap for consultants at every stage who are ready to master not just delivery, but sustainable, long-term growth.
Episode title: Third take on the issue

The MasterPlan Advanced – Episode 32 of TBD
The MasterPlan Advanced builds on the most transformative career strategy work we’ve done to date. Based on Michael’s and Kris’s personal experiences and decades of coaching senior executives, it covers how to move from well-off to wealthy, across career, relationships, investing, health, and more. This is the next step for members who are working toward building a richer, more fulfilling life, not only a career that looks successful to people around.
Episode title: Lack of self-esteem will materially hurt you, and those around you

Lessons from Kris – Episode 1 of TBD
This is the first episode in a new series for Insider members. Each lesson presents a focused perspective on a topic that has proven critical in advising senior clients and building Firmsconsulting.com, StrategyTraining.com, and our other businesses. In this episode, we examine how the use of numbers influences how your work is perceived, how clients respond, and how clearly value is communicated. The lesson is applicable across industries and business models. 
Episode title: 8 ways to leverage the power of numbers

For Legacy Members

In addition to all Insider episodes, Legacy members receive these exclusive episodes:

Why You're Unlikely to Get the Sponsor You Really Need - Episode 3 of 4
It is important to find the right sponsor, but what if the real power lies in becoming someone worth sponsoring? This program shows you why the path to sponsorship begins not with who you know, but with how visibly you create value.
Episode title: How sponsorship works

(New) Segmenting Your Customers - Episode 1 of 5
What happens when the way you earn a living slowly pulls you away from who you really are? This program unpacks how inauthenticity creeps in, why it leads to burnout, and what it takes to rebuild both your brand and your sense of self.
Episode title: What inauthenticity does to you

(New) What Most Product Managers Get Wrong - Episode 1 of 3
Most product teams obsess over detailed plans and coordination, but miss the one question that matters most. This program shows why a specific action needs to come before everything else.
Episode title: What most product managers get wrong

Insiders can move to Legacy anytime and back to Insider without losing Insider status. Email us at team@firmsconsulting.com so we can manually restore your Insider status.

Ask Us a Question — Get Tailored Feedback

Legacy members are invited to submit one personal or professional question twice per month. We’ll respond with a custom answer recorded by a partner.

• Deadlines: Submit by the 15th and 30th of each month

• Format: One paragraph emailed to team@firmsconsulting.com

• Include: Context and details so we can provide tailored guidance for your unique situation

• Subject line: Legacy Question

Strategy Skills Podcast (top 5-10 for careers in many countries)

We’ve just released two new episodes, now available at no cost on iTunes, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms.

Listen in and stay sharp.

Steve Jobs' Former Colleague on How to Achieve Creative Velocity in the Age of Gen AI - with Leslie Grandy

Leslie Grandy, a seasoned executive who has led global product teams at Apple, Amazon, Best Buy, and T-Mobile, shares a deeply practical perspective on how leaders can activate creativity across functions, not just in design or strategy.

Drawing from her early years in the film industry and later executive roles in technology, Grandy explains how she developed three capabilities that proved critical in high-performance product environments:

“You’ve got to grind it out… and you have to have that intrinsic motivation to continue, even when it looks like failure is obvious.”

“You have to be resilient and flexible… because you have so many people depending on the outcome.”

“If I haven’t seen the problem before, it doesn’t seem daunting to me… It seems fun.”

These capabilities (grit, adaptability, and creative problem solving) formed the foundation of her success in ambiguous, fast-moving, and high-stakes environments.

Grandy also speaks directly to what supports and undermines creative velocity inside organizations. She notes that the most adaptive cultures don’t reserve creativity for a few select teams:

“They expect every role is going to show up with that same creative intention… that the status quo doesn’t seep into the lower ranks.”

But she also warns:

“Status quo as a cultural norm is dangerous.”
“Consensus-driven thinking is equally problematic for creative velocity.”

Her insights on Steve Jobs provide a rare look inside Apple’s leadership culture. When asked about her interview with him, she explains:

“Your interview will be five minutes or it’ll be 60 minutes. It’s up to Steve.”
“I didn’t come in there acting like I was an equal… I just came in there with a confidence that I could answer whatever he asked.”

When her team added preset engraving suggestions to iPods to help customers complete purchases, Jobs reacted immediately:

“He saw it, and within a day, it was pulled down.”
“He had such a finite view of his brand… there were no blurry edges around the brand.”

Grandy’s new book, Creative Velocity, argues that creativity is not a fixed trait, but a capability that can be developed with intention. 

She addresses how leaders should approach generative AI, not just as an efficiency tool, but as a creative partner:

“What’s really transformative… is doing the exact opposite of prompt engineering.”
“It’s not about speed to answer. It’s about using that time to evolve a thought into different tributaries of thought.”

This episode raises a critical question for senior leaders:

“Are you designing your organization to perform or to invent?”

Listen to the episode here (you can also watch or read the transcript).

Brand Global, Adapt Local: Executive Lessons from Nike, Louis Vuitton, and HubSpot – with Katherine Melchior Ray and Nataly Kelly

In this episode, I spoke with two highly respected global brand leaders, Katherine Melchior Ray and Nataly Kelly, whose experience spans executive roles at Nike, Louis Vuitton, HubSpot, Zappi, and more.

Our discussion centered on their latest book, Brand Global, Adapt Local, but more broadly, we explored the evolving demands of building and sustaining global brands in a world defined by cultural complexity, rapid technological change, and shifting consumer expectations.

A few themes stood out:

1. Consistency is not enough.
Nataly Kelly shared:

“I used to believe that branding required absolute consistency and very little flexibility. But when I began to work in global marketing, I realized that there is adaptability that’s required to really succeed.”

Successful global brands, in her view, hold tightly to a clear core while flexibly adapting how they show up across markets.

2. Cultural blind spots have real consequences.
Katherine Melchior Ray reflected on an early leadership experience at Nike:

“The common refrain was, for women’s shoes… ‘shrink it and pink it.’”

She underscored the importance of cultural sensitivity, noting:

“Listen with your eyes. Because in many cultures, people communicate with nonverbal forms of communication.”

3. Strategy and judgment cannot be delegated to machines.
As the use of AI accelerates, Nataly cautioned:

“You can’t outsource your strategy… Judgment and strategy are the two things that I think humans will start to realize [must stay human].”

4. Trust is built over time, not through messaging alone.
Katherine observed:

“At the end of the day, a brand is all about a promise. People support brands that they trust.”

5. Human connection remains central.
As Katherine succinctly put it:

“The more we rely on technology, the more we must double down on our humanity.”

If you're involved in shaping brand strategy, whether globally or locally, this discussion offers valuable perspective.

Listen to the episode here (you can also watch or read the transcript).

Additionally, here are the recent releases on FIRMSconsulting / StrategyTraining.com / Kris Safarova YouTube Channels:

IT Strategy vs. Corporate Strategy: Microsoft - with Kris Safarova
Access here.

How to Build Consulting Storyboards in 3 Weeks (This is How McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte Do It) - with Kris Safarova
Access here.

How to Feel Comfortable on Camera - with Kris Safarova
Access here.

Management Consulting Storyboard | Storyboarding used by McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, PwC et al. - with Kris Safarova
Access here.

McKinsey’s Rise to Prominence Under Marvin Bower - with Kris Safarova
Access here.

The Systems Behind Sustained High Performance with ADHD - with Kris Safarova
Access here.

Ready to begin?

Log in to StrategyTraining.com to access new episodes, resources, and keep moving forward.

June 16 - June 22 releases on StrategyTraining.com

Your financial outcomes are shaped by an internal system you didn’t design, but continue to follow.

Long before you earned a cent, that system was already in place.

Installed by well-meaning voices (parents, teachers, other adults) who left behind phrases like:

“Money doesn’t grow on trees.”
"What am I made out of money?"
"Who cares what you want?"
“You have to work hard to make money.”
“We can’t afford that.”
“Money is the root of all evil.”
“Rich people are selfish/arrogant/lucky.”
“Save every penny.”
“Be realistic.”

Your impressionable mind quickly internalized those beliefs. You don't even think about them. They are just running in your mind in the background, like an operating system of a computer.

Your operating system for making decisions about money, work, and worth was designed by people who probably don't have the results you want for your life.

And that system still runs to this day, determining what feels possible, how much you earn, the goals you set, and whether you're seen as someone to follow.

This week’s new releases, as all our programs, are designed not just to teach, but to help you rebuild your internal architecture for making high-stakes decisions and setting goals.

To replace old programming that, while got you this far, will not get you where you want to go.

Because the most important system in your business or career is cognitive.

Here’s what was released for StrategyTraining.com members:

For Strategy Control Room Advanced Members

Another major update, a new proposal was released.

Pandemic Forecasting & Quantification Proposal -  A major proposal on pandemic forecasting. 43 SLIDES.

This new proposal outlines a comprehensive methodology to forecast and quantify pandemics. Using a mix of probability modeling, scenario planning, and response tracking, we built a system that predicts pandemic trajectories and helps governments and businesses plan responses across sectors. See the full model, risk frameworks, and quantification logic in action.

For Insider Members

These new training episodes were released.

The Real Reason You Are Not Being Promoted – Episode 15 of 18
This 18-part Insider program challenges the conventional wisdom of career growth, helping ambitious professionals rethink promotions, leadership roles, and long-term wealth creation.
Episode title: Sometimes the world is unfair

The MasterPlan Advanced – Episode 31 of TBD
The MasterPlan Advanced builds on the most transformative career strategy work we’ve done to date. Based on Michael’s and Kris’s personal experiences and decades of coaching senior executives, it covers how to move from well-off to wealthy, across career, relationships, investing, health, and more. This is the next step for members who are working toward building a richer, more fulfilling life, not only a career that looks successful to people around.
Episode title: Perils of family business acquisitions

Why Am I Not Happy? How Can I Be Happy? – Episode 11 of 14
Practical insights to help you recognize the patterns that are draining your energy and how to stop them. 
Episode title: Do you understand the gamble you are taking

For Legacy Members

In addition to all Insider episodes, Legacy members receive these exclusive episodes:

Communicating Details - Episode 5 of 5
In every organization, there comes a moment when doing exactly what was agreed leads to frustration, disappointment or even blame. This program, Communicating Details, unpacks one of the most common but costly management traps: when plans are executed as approved, but shifting realities demand a different response.

Through the real-world case of one of our executive coaching clients, Michael explores why excessive upfront detail and rigid adherence to plans can backfire, even when managers explicitly sign off. You’ll learn the critical difference between following a plan and managing evolving priorities, why both employees and leaders share responsibility for context shifts, and how to apply a flexible problem-solving model that protects outcomes while maintaining trust.

This program equips consultants, managers, and senior leaders with the mindset and tools to navigate complex stakeholder dynamics, where communication, adaptability, and strategic judgment matter far more than simply “doing what was agreed.”
Episode title: The email sent folder test

(New) Why You're Unlikely to Get the Sponsor You Really Need - Episode 2 of 4
It is important to find the right sponsor, but what if the real power lies in becoming someone worth sponsoring? This program shows you why the path to sponsorship begins not with who you know, but with how visibly you create value.
Episode title: Sponsors do not improve your performance

(New) Identity Determines Your Wealth - Episode 1 of 1
Your income isn’t only limited by your skills but also, in large part, by the identity you’ve chosen. This program reveals how the roles we adopt silently cap our wealth, and what it really takes to break out of your orbit financially.
Episode title: Identity determines your wealth

Insiders can move to Legacy anytime and back to Insider without losing Insider status. Email us at team@firmsconsulting.com so we can manually restore your Insider status.

Ask Us a Question — Get Tailored Feedback

Legacy members are invited to submit one personal or professional question twice per month. We’ll respond with a custom answer recorded by a partner.

• Deadlines: Submit by the 15th and 30th of each month

• Format: One paragraph emailed to team@firmsconsulting.com

• Include: Context and details so we can provide tailored guidance for your unique situation

• Subject line: Legacy Question

Strategy Skills Podcast (top 5-10 for careers in many countries)

We just released 2 podcasts hosted by Michael. 

Johns Hopkins University's Steve Hanke, on Rewriting the Rules of Our Financial System - with Steve Hanke

In this episode, economist and professor Steve Hanke presents a provocative critique of modern central banking. He argues that institutions like the Federal Reserve have repeatedly misread inflation by ignoring a foundational concept: the money supply. Drawing on historical data and current trends, Hanke explains why the quantity theory of money, a model with centuries of predictive power, is notably absent from mainstream macroeconomic models, leading to flawed policy responses.

“They don’t think there’s much of a relationship between changes in the money supply and changes in economic activity and inflation, which is just utter rubbish.”

Hanke disputes the common view that inflation stems from temporary external disruptions like supply chain shocks or geopolitical events. Instead, he argues it is a monetary phenomenon, typically driven by decisions made one to two years prior.
“There’s never been a significant inflation... that hasn’t been preceded by a significant increase in the money supply.”

He discusses the consequences of both overexpansion and contraction of money supply, contrasting U.S. policy missteps with China’s current deflationary pressures resulting from an overly restrained growth in money supply.
“In China, [money supply] is only growing at about 7% per year... Bingo, magic, they have no inflation. They have deflation.”

The conversation also explores the overlooked role of commercial banks, which create the majority of money in circulation. Following the 2008 financial crisis, regulations such as Dodd-Frank and Basel III significantly constrained these institutions, reducing their ability to support economic growth.

“Most of the stock of broad money held by the non-bank public is actually produced by commercial banks, not the central banks.”

Hanke calls for restoring commercial banks to the center of the financial system and reintroducing money supply metrics into central bank models.

5 key insights from the episode:

1) Inflation results from shifts in the money supply, not from isolated shocks, which only affect relative prices.
“Inflation is always caused by changes in the money supply.”
“Oil prices, supply chains, wars, those are ad hoc explanations to get the monkey off their back.”

2) Most central banks use models that exclude money entirely, leading to flawed forecasts and reactive policymaking.
“For the last 30 years... the macroeconomic models don’t include an aggregate measure for money. It’s absurd.”

3) U.S. monetary growth is currently below the level required to sustain stable prices, increasing the risk of recession, not inflation.
“The money supply is growing at 4.1%, that’s well below the 6% we need. That’s why inflation keeps coming down.”

4) Policy uncertainty, what Hanke terms “regime uncertainty,” undermines business investment, drawing a historical parallel to the New Deal era.
“Investment stopped during the New Deal. It just stopped, and that dragged the Depression out longer than it needed to be.”
“Right now, we have regime uncertainty again. Businesses are waiting to see what the rules will be.”

5) About 80% of broad money is created by commercial banks, yet they’ve been sidelined by overregulation.
“Since the great financial crisis... [commercial banks] have been squeezed out of the game.”

Taken together, Hanke’s analysis urges a return to first principles: placing money supply at the center of macroeconomic policy and recognizing the systemic role of commercial banks.
“We need to get the quantity theory of money back in the picture, and get commercial banks back in the game.”

For business leaders and policymakers, this discussion offers a sharp and timely reevaluation of what truly drives inflation and economic cycles, and what needs to change.

Listen to the episode here (you can also watch or read the transcript).

Harvard’s Bill George on Leading Authentically in Today's Workplace – with Bill George

In this wide-ranging and direct conversation, Bill George, former Medtronic CEO and Harvard Business School professor, offers a disciplined framework for leading in conditions of persistent volatility. Drawing from decades of leadership experience and research, George emphasizes that leadership today is no longer about managing processes.

He argues that future-ready leaders must confront ambiguity, enable experimentation, and sustain purpose across shifting conditions. Five themes stand out:

1. Opportunity Must Be Created, Not Awaited
George urges emerging leaders to act before they are promoted.

“Raise your hand. Say, I can do it. Don’t ask for the promotion. Look where you can do right in the role you’re in right now.”

“They’re not asking, ‘Oh, I need more money. I need a promotion, a bigger title.’ No, they say, ‘Hey, give me the opportunity.’”

He challenges senior leaders to stop suppressing emerging talent:

“I’m urging the baby boomers… step aside and open the doors for these fantastic new leaders… Organizations really need their energy, their enthusiasm, their ideas.”

2. Innovation Begins at the Front Lines
George reflects on his early days at Medtronic and the need to cancel a pacemaker program:

“I asked… what’s the benefit to the customer, to the patient? And they said, well, it’s got all this great technology. I said, no, no. So we canceled.”

He also stresses the importance of firsthand observation:

“I saw over 700 procedures… I sure was learning what the problems were… It was very different than you think. This is not a circuit problem. This is a human problem.”

And warns leaders against becoming disconnected:

“Executives were spending 72% of their time in their offices and conference rooms, only 5% of their time with employees, and 3% of their time with their customers. This is a disaster.”

3. Risk Tolerance Determines Strategic Renewal
George explains how Medtronic fostered innovation through structural insulation from corporate resistance:

“At any one given time, we owned part interest in two to three dozen venture companies… I was quite willing to let them fail.”

“We actually had to change the structure… We put all these creative new things… under [our Vice Chairman]… and when they came to market, then we would transform [them] to the mainstream business.”

He warns of middle managers who block change:

“We have too many people in middle management that are pushing back… it’s time for them to either change or to go away.”

4. Culture Must Reward Learning Over Defensiveness
George contrasts Silicon Valley with more failure-averse regions:

“The one beautiful thing about Silicon Valley, it’s almost a badge of honor. ‘What did you learn from that experience?’”

“Switzerland was just ranked number one… in innovation. [But] we don’t form any new companies. That’s what America does so well.”

He believes innovation requires structural freedom and cross-functional collaboration:

“It’s not going to come out of a giant company… It’s going to come out of allowing them to have freedom to go produce whole new ideas.”

5. AI Is a Strategic Imperative, Not a Cost Play
George cautions against viewing AI through an efficiency-only lens:

“An awful lot of people are looking at [AI] as efficiency. How can I cut out the frontline workers? … That’s the wrong way of looking at it.”

Instead, he sees AI as a platform for new growth models:

“How do you think about new business models? … That’s what we need to think about.”

“Don’t let the blockers get in your way. Bust your way through the system… If you take a couple of hits, a few arrows along the way, that’s okay.”

He encourages boldness in applying AI:

“Be creative inside large companies. Push the limits.”

George’s message is:

“Stay true to your purpose and values. Don’t be motivated by external acclimation and adulation. Be motivated by… making a difference in the world and leaving a mark.”

His leadership call-to-action is:

“If you don’t do it now, you won’t do it when you’re 50 or 60. So take those risks and do it, and you’ll have a great career.”

Listen to the episode here (you can also watch or read the transcript).

Additionally, here are the recent releases on FIRMSconsulting / StrategyTraining.com / Kris Safarova YouTube Channels:

IT Strategy vs. Corporate Strategy: Microsoft - with Kris Safarova
Access here.

How to Build Consulting Storyboards in 3 Weeks (This is How McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte Do It) - with Kris Safarova
Access here.

How to Feel Comfortable on Camera - with Kris Safarova
Access here.

Management Consulting Storyboard | Storyboarding used by McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, PwC et al. - with Kris Safarova
Access here.

McKinsey’s Rise to Prominence Under Marvin Bower - with Kris Safarova
Access here.

The Systems Behind Sustained High Performance with ADHD - with Kris Safarova
Access here.

Ready to begin?

Log in to StrategyTraining.com to access new episodes, resources, and keep moving forward.

June 9 - June 15, 2025 releases on StrategyTraining.com

Most organizations don’t fail for lack of strategy. They fail because the strategy isn’t operationalized, because there is no structured way to align daily decisions with long-term objectives.

We just released a full study for the Strategy Control Room Advanced members: 207 slides, detailing how to build a Business Management Process (BMP) using the Balanced Scorecard and Plan-Do-Review (PDR) approach. It’s the same structure we’ve used with global clients to drive meaningful value that earns you trusted advisor reputation. 

For Insider members, we continue our deep-dive series on building a consulting practice (Level II), managing promotions, and shaping a life that is not only successful but also has meaning and where you feel happy. As Albert Einstein said, "Do not strive to be successful. Strive to ensure that your life has meaning." 

Legacy members receive additional training on communicating under pressure, navigating uncertainty in career direction, and finding sponsors, not by asking, but by becoming the kind of leader people want to support.

If you're focused on execution, leadership, and career acceleration, these new releases are directly relevant. They are designed to support important decisions, even under severe pressure.

Here’s what was released for StrategyTraining.com members:

For Strategy Control Room Advanced Members

A major update, a whole new study (207 slides released altogether), is available to the SCRA members.

Sunday
Balanced Scorecard Implementation -  A major update to the SCRA. 207 SLIDES. Business Management Processes (BMP) remain an essential way to run a business. They cannot be ignored. So we released a full new study showing how we created a BMP using the Balanced ScoreCard (BSC) and the Plan-Do-Review (PDR) process. You will see the entire scorecard, KPIs, and development process, an effective way of translating strategy to action. 

For Insider Members

These new training episodes were released.

Friday
The Real Reason You Are Not Being Promoted – Episode 14 of 18
This 18-part Insider program challenges the conventional wisdom of career growth, helping ambitious professionals rethink promotions, leadership roles, and long-term wealth creation.
Episode title:  Action Next Step #9

Saturday
(NEW) Building a Consulting Practice. Level II – Episode 4 of TBD
Building a Consulting Practice (Level 2) picks up where Building a Consulting Practice (Level 1) left off. While Level 1 lays the foundational principles of setting up or rebuilding a consulting business, whether as an independent firm or as a practice within a major consulting firm, Level 2 takes you into the advanced art of turning routine client work into an engine for long-term growth.

Michael opens the door to rarely discussed skills: how to reframe client conversations away from low-value, transactional tasks and into high-impact, strategic engagements. How to uncover hidden opportunities even when no obvious “problem” exists, and how to position yourself as a trusted partner invited into the most critical issues, not as a vendor chasing projects.

Through the lens of a real-world operations strategy study, you will see how an unglamorous project became the seedbed for a completely new consulting practice. You’ll learn how to apply sharp strategic thinking in operational contexts, how to triangulate discussions toward your strengths, and how to scale a practice that thrives beyond any single engagement.

Level 1 teaches you the business of consulting. Level 2 shows you how to expand that business into a powerhouse. Together, in addition to a few other programs on StrategyTraining.com, such as Partnership. Memoir, Rebuilding a Consulting Practice, How to Build an Innovation Division, these programs provide a roadmap for consultants at every stage who are ready to master not just delivery, but sustainable, long-term growth.
Episode title: Second take on the issue

Sunday
Why Am I Not Happy? How Can I Be Happy? – Episode 10 of 14
Practical insights to help you recognize the patterns that are draining your energy and how to stop them. 
Episode title: Memories are often wildly misleading

For Legacy Members

In addition to all Insider episodes, Legacy members receive these exclusive episodes:

Friday
Communicating Details - Episode 4 of 5
In every organization, there comes a moment when doing exactly what was agreed leads to frustration, disappointment or even blame. This program, Communicating Details, unpacks one of the most common but costly management traps: when plans are executed as approved, but shifting realities demand a different response.

Through the real-world case of one of our executive coaching clients, Michael explores why excessive upfront detail and rigid adherence to plans can backfire, even when managers explicitly sign off. You’ll learn the critical difference between following a plan and managing evolving priorities, why both employees and leaders share responsibility for context shifts, and how to apply a flexible problem-solving model that protects outcomes while maintaining trust.

This program equips consultants, managers, and senior leaders with the mindset and tools to navigate complex stakeholder dynamics, where communication, adaptability, and strategic judgment matter far more than simply “doing what was agreed.”
Episode title: So, how do you communicate?

Saturday
I Don't Know If This Is What I Want to Do - Episode 7 of 7
Many clients are not certain that the work they are currently doing, or the industry they are currently in, is in fact the space where they want to continue building their career. If this is your situation, what is the way to decide a way forward?
Episode title:  Always be advancing and...

Sunday
(New) Why You're Unlikely to Get the Sponsor You Really Need - Episode 1 of 4
It is important to find the right sponsor, but what if the real power lies in becoming someone worth sponsoring? This program shows you why the path to sponsorship begins not with who you know, but with how visibly you create value.
Episode title: Focus on the correct question

Insiders can move to Legacy anytime and back to Insider without losing Insider status. Email us at team@firmsconsulting.com so we can manually restore your Insider status.

Ask Us a Question — Get Tailored Feedback

Legacy members are invited to submit one personal or professional question twice per month. We’ll respond with a custom answer recorded by a partner.

• Deadlines: Submit by the 15th and 30th of each month

• Format: One paragraph emailed to team@firmsconsulting.com

• Include: Context and details so we can provide tailored guidance for your unique situation

• Subject line: Legacy Question

Strategy Skills Podcast (top 5-10 for careers in many countries)

Monday
The Core Leader of McKinsey’s Strategy and Corporate Finance Practice on Measuring and Managing the Value of Companies - with Tim Koller

In this episode, our returning guest, Tim Koller, co-author of Valuation, the core leader of McKinsey’s Strategy and Corporate Finance practice, offers a substantive examination of capital allocation decisions under real-world constraints. The discussion moves beyond theory to explore how CEOs and CFOs should approach resource deployment in mature, capital-rich companies, where investment opportunities are limited not due to lack of ambition but due to economic reality.

Listen to the episode here (you can also watch or read the transcript).

Wednesday
Professor of Finance at London Business School on Why ESG and DEI Data May Contain Lies – with Alex Edmans

In this episode, our returning guest, a finance professor at London Business School and author, Alex Edmans, offers a rigorous examination of the narratives surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in corporate strategy. Drawing on his critique of widely cited studies, including those from McKinsey and BlackRock, Edmans illustrates how flawed data interpretations and confirmation bias contribute to the persistence of questionable claims. He warns against relying on correlation-based research that lacks causal rigor, especially when such findings are used to justify high-stakes decisions in boardrooms and policy circles.

Listen to the episode here (you can also watch or read the transcript).

Additionally, here are the recent releases on FIRMSconsulting / StrategyTraining.com / Kris Safarova YouTube Channels:

IT Strategy vs. Corporate Strategy: Microsoft - with Kris Safarova
Access here.

How to Build Consulting Storyboards in 3 Weeks (This is How McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte Do It) - with Kris Safarova
Access here.

How to Feel Comfortable on Camera - with Kris Safarova
Access here.

Management Consulting Storyboard | Storyboarding used by McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, PwC et al. - with Kris Safarova
Access here.

McKinsey’s Rise to Prominence Under Marvin Bower - with Kris Safarova
Access here.

The Systems Behind Sustained High Performance with ADHD - with Kris Safarova
Access here.

Ready to begin?

Log in to StrategyTraining.com to access new episodes, resources, and keep moving forward.

May 26–June 1, 2025 releases on StrategyTraining.com

There is a simple principle that often separates those who make steady progress in their career from those who stall.

They are impatient with their actions but patient with their results.

It is easy to do the opposite. To want the promotion, to want to sell a new project, but to hesitate or postpone the small, consistent steps that make those outcomes possible.

The members in this community who advance the most are not necessarily working longer hours or chasing every opportunity. They set time aside, even in the margins of their day, to work through the StrategyTraining.com materials and Strategy Control Room Advanced resources. They deliberately consider how to apply what they are learning so that by Monday morning at 8 a.m., they are ready to move with focus, new insights, and a new perspective.

They understand that outcomes take time, but that time is well used only if actions continue steadily.

This week, we have prepared new resources to help you take thoughtful steps forward.

There are three membership levels you should pay attention to. They are as follows:

Our reading library:

Strategy Control Room Advanced (SCRA) members gain access to our internal knowledge management system (our read-only library), including studies, proposals, Centers of Excellence, advanced books not available anywhere else, flip charts, slides from some of the video programs, notes from The Consulting Offer, and more.

Our video/audio training library:

Insider membership is designed for long-term clients who want to deliver meaningful impact while accelerating their careers.

Legacy members are mostly long-term Insiders who receive everything in Insider, plus access to additional advanced programs and personalized guidance opportunities.

As you probably know, we add additional training and resources weekly. New training episodes and resources are now live and available on iOS, Android, Apple TV, and ROKU.

Here is what is new this week:

For Strategy Control Room Advanced Members

You’ll receive this exclusive update:

Sunday
New IT, Digital, AI, and Cloud Center-of-Excellence – Update 8 (133 SLIDES) of TBD

For Insider Members

These new training episodes are being released this week.

Friday
(NEW) Building a Consulting Practice. Level II – Episode 2 of TBD
Building a Consulting Practice (Level 2) picks up where Building a Consulting Practice (Level 1) left off. While Level 1 lays the foundational principles of setting up or rebuilding a consulting business, whether as an independent firm or as a practice within a major consulting firm, Level 2 takes you into the advanced art of turning routine client work into an engine for long-term growth.

Michael opens the door to rarely discussed skills: how to reframe client conversations away from low-value, transactional tasks and into high-impact, strategic engagements. How to uncover hidden opportunities even when no obvious “problem” exists, and how to position yourself as a trusted partner invited into the most critical issues, not as a vendor chasing projects.

Through the lens of a real-world operations strategy study, you will see how an unglamorous project became the seedbed for a completely new consulting practice. You’ll learn how to apply sharp strategic thinking in operational contexts, how to triangulate discussions toward your strengths, and how to scale a practice that thrives beyond any single engagement.

Level 1 teaches you the business of consulting. Level 2 shows you how to expand that business into a powerhouse. Together, in addition to a few other programs on StrategyTraining.com, such as Partnership. Memoir, Rebuilding a Consulting Practice, How to Build an Innovation Division, these programs provide a roadmap for consultants at every stage who are ready to master not just delivery, but sustainable, long-term growth.
Episode title: Part 2: Know the, usually, boring context

Saturday
Why Am I Not Happy? How Can I Be Happy? – Episode 8 of 14
Practical insights to help you recognize the patterns that are draining your energy and how to stop them. 
Episode title: Part 8: The pursuit of happiness

Sunday
The Real Reason You Are Not Being Promoted – Episode 12 of 18
This 18-part Insider program challenges the conventional wisdom of career growth, helping ambitious professionals rethink promotions, leadership roles, and long-term wealth creation.
Episode title: Action next step #8

For Legacy Members

In addition to all Insider episodes, Legacy members receive these exclusive episodes:

Friday
(New) Communicating Details - Episode 2 of 5
In every organization, there comes a moment when doing exactly what was agreed leads to frustration, disappointment or even blame. This program, Communicating Details, unpacks one of the most common but costly management traps: when plans are executed as approved, but shifting realities demand a different response.

Through the real-world case of one of our executive coaching clients, Michael explores why excessive upfront detail and rigid adherence to plans can backfire, even when managers explicitly sign off. You’ll learn the critical difference between following a plan and managing evolving priorities, why both employees and leaders share responsibility for context shifts, and how to apply a flexible problem-solving model that protects outcomes while maintaining trust.

This program equips consultants, managers, and senior leaders with the mindset and tools to navigate complex stakeholder dynamics, where communication, adaptability, and strategic judgment matter far more than simply “doing what was agreed.”
Episode title: Why you become detail-oriented

Saturday
I Don't Know If This Is What I Want to Do - Episode 5 of 7
Many clients are not certain that the work they are currently doing, or the industry they are currently in, is in fact the space where they want to continue building their career. If this is your situation, what is the way to decide a way forward?
Episode title: How are you evolving?

Sunday
(New) Taking On New Clients - Episode 1 of 2
What do you do when new clients are reaching out, but your capacity is already maxed out? In this program, Michael lays out a practical framework for managing growth, client demand, and team development, so you’re ready when success shows up early.
Episode title: Capacity constrained to take on new work

Insiders can move to Legacy anytime and back to Insider without losing Insider status. Email us at team@firmsconsulting.com so we can manually restore your Insider status.

Ask Us a Question — Get Tailored Feedback

Legacy members are invited to submit one personal or professional question twice per month. We’ll respond with a custom answer recorded by a partner.

• Deadlines: Submit by the 15th and 30th of each month

• Format: One paragraph emailed to team@firmsconsulting.com

• Include: Context and details so we can provide tailored guidance for your unique situation

• Subject line: Legacy Question

We also released these free resources:

Strategy Skills Podcast (top 5-10 for careers in many countries)

Monday
Microsoft’s Dean Carignan on Using AI to Boost Joy, Focus, and Productivity at Work - with Dean Carignan

This week on the Strategy Skills podcast, I spoke with Dean Carignan, a senior leader at Microsoft with over two decades of experience across AI, Xbox, research, and product innovation.

He discussed how AI is reshaping work today, not just by providing answers, but by acting as an agent to handle routine tasks, freeing people to focus on higher-value activities. Dean emphasized that leaders who experiment with AI agents (beyond simple chatbot use) will gain a meaningful edge.

Two areas where AI’s global impact may be most profound over the next 3 - 5 years:
1 - Bringing critical services (like healthcare support) to under-resourced areas through mobile and voice AI.
2 - Accelerating scientific discovery by reading thousands of papers, proposing experiments, and automating lab work.

AI will take away the drudgery of many jobs and enable people to focus on the aspects of the work that excite them.

Listen to the episode here (you can also watch or read the transcript).

Wednesday
How a Billion-Dollar CEO Thinks and Leads – with Bill Canady

I welcomed back Bill Canady, CEO of OTC Industrial Technologies and Arrowhead Engineered Products, overseeing $2.5 billion in annual sales and 3,600+ employees.

Bill shared a practical approach to driving profitable growth, centered on focusing resources where they matter most. He described how applying 80/20 analysis revealed that just 200 customers accounted for over 90% of OTC’s revenue, and that focusing on expanding value with existing top customers outperformed efforts to chase entirely new markets.

He also emphasized the disciplined use of AI tools: not just automating tasks, but using them to surface patterns and insights in large datasets. As Bill put it, “A robot can do the basic math, but it can’t give you the insights.”

His new book, From Panic to Profit, lays out the profitable growth operating system (PGOS) built on five pillars: segmentation, strategy, deals (M&A), talent, and disciplined execution. Bill stressed the importance of leadership focus: “So many of us try to be fair all the time. We think we should be fair to everyone. We think we should treat all opportunities the same. We try to say yes to everything. But you know, that’s not leadership, that is the absence of leadership. And when you peanut-butter everything, on the best cases, you get mediocrity. When you actually start focusing, you can change the world.”

Listen to the episode here (you can also watch or read the transcript).

Additionally, here are the recent releases on FIRMSconsulting / StrategyTraining.com / Kris Safarova YouTube Channels:

IT Strategy vs. Corporate Strategy: Microsoft - with Kris Safarova
Access here.

How to Build Consulting Storyboards in 3 Weeks (This is How McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte Do It) - with Kris Safarova
Access here.

How to Feel Comfortable on Camera - with Kris Safarova
Access here.

Management Consulting Storyboard | Storyboarding used by McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, PwC et al. - with Kris Safarova
Access here.

McKinsey’s Rise to Prominence Under Marvin Bower - with Kris Safarova
Access here.

The Systems Behind Sustained High Performance with ADHD - with Kris Safarova
Access here.

Ready to begin?

Log in to StrategyTraining.com to access new episodes, resources, and keep moving forward.

May 19–May 25, 2025 releases on StrategyTraining.com

Clients remember one thing long after the consulting project ends: 

How much they trusted you.

And that changes everything.

Every client relationship starts the same way. But the best ones evolve into something more.

The goal from the very first project is not only to deliver results. It is to build a long-term relationship that naturally leads to more work and long-term partnership.

A relationship where you are not trying to sell more work.

Instead, client is drawing you into the issues.

That is when things shift.

You are not pitching anymore. You are partnering.

You are not chasing projects. You are being invited into them.

And those projects?

They can be anything from smaller strategy or operations work to change management or digital initiatives.

Or, if that is what you are aiming for, even large-scale transformations and turnarounds, the type we covered in our 200+ videos Corporate Strategy & Transformation study program within the Strategy Training app.

The scope expands when trust is built.

Clients do not need another consultant. They need someone they trust enough to invite in.

Members who fully engage with StrategyTraining.com change the course of their careers and lives.

And, over time, some long-term members and clients send us letters of appreciation, like the one Michael received this month.

There are three membership levels you should pay attention to. They are as follows:

Our reading library:

Strategy Control Room Advanced (SCRA) members gain access to our internal knowledge management system, including studies, proposals, Centers of Excellence, advanced books not available anywhere else, flip charts, slides from video programs, notes from The Consulting Offer, and more.

Our video/audio training library:

Insider membership is designed for long-term clients who want to deliver meaningful impact while accelerating their careers.

Legacy members receive everything in Insider, plus access to additional advanced programs and personalized guidance.

As you probably know, we add additional training and resources weekly. New training episodes and resources are now live and available on iOS, Android, Apple TV, and ROKU.

Here is what is new this week:

For Strategy Control Room Advanced Members

You’ll receive this exclusive update:

Sunday

New IT, Digital, AI, and Cloud Center-of-Excellence – Update 7 (125 SLIDES) of TBD

For Insider Members

These new training episodes are being released this week.

Friday
The MasterPlan Advanced – Episode 30 of TBD
The MasterPlan Advanced builds on the most transformative career strategy work we’ve done to date. Based on Michael’s and Kris’s personal experiences and decades of coaching senior executives, it covers how to move from well-off to wealthy, across career, relationships, investing, health, and more. This is the next step for members who are working toward building a richer, more fulfilling life, not only a career that looks successful to people around.
Episode title: Creating a Viable Business Model

Saturday
Why Am I Not Happy? How Can I Be Happy? – Episode 7 of 14
Practical insights to help you recognize the patterns that are draining your energy and how to stop them. Members can submit questions for the next 7 days to shape future episodes/related programs.
Episode title: The Trap of Finding Happiness Alone

Sunday
(NEW) Building a Consulting Practice. Level II – Episode 1 of TBD
Building a Consulting Practice (Level 2) picks up where Building a Consulting Practice (Level 1) left off. While Level 1 lays the foundational principles of setting up or rebuilding a consulting business, whether as an independent firm or as a practice within an elite organization, Level 2 takes you into the advanced art of turning routine client work into an engine for long-term growth.

This is not about surface techniques or standard operations work. Michael opens the door to rarely discussed skills: how to reframe client conversations away from low-value, transactional tasks and into high-impact, strategic engagements; how to uncover hidden opportunities even when no obvious “problem” exists; and how to position yourself as a trusted partner invited into the most critical issues, not as a vendor chasing projects.

Through the lens of a real-world operations strategy study, you will see how an unglamorous project became the seedbed for a completely new consulting practice. You’ll learn how to apply sharp strategic thinking in operational contexts, how to triangulate discussions toward your strengths, and how to scale a practice that thrives beyond any single engagement.

Level 1 teaches you the business of consulting. Level 2 shows you how to expand that business into a powerhouse. Together, in addition to a few other programs on StrategyTraining.com such as Partnership. Memoir, Rebuilding a Consulting Practice, How to Build an Innovation Division, these programs provide a roadmap for consultants at every stage who are ready to master not just delivery, but sustainable, long-term growth.
Episode title: Know the, Usually, Boring Context

For Legacy Members

In addition to all Insider episodes, Legacy members receive these exclusive episodes:

Friday
A Mid-Life Strategy Update – Episode 44 of TBD
What if your health, relationships, wealth, and life’s work all demanded urgent attention at the same time? In this real-time program, Michael shares the exact strategies he’s using to rebuild every major area of his life. It’s rare to get this level of access. Even rarer to see it in real time.
Episode title: The Root Cause of an Issue is Rarely Known, Acknowledged, or Even Discussed

Saturday
I Don't Know If This Is What I Want to Do - Episode 4 of 7
Many clients are not certain that the work they are currently doing, or the industry they are currently in, is in fact the space where they want to continue building their career. If this is your situation, what is the way to decide a way forward?
Episode title: The Most Important Decision You Need to Make 2.0

Sunday
(New) Communicating Details - Episode 1 of 5
In every organization, there comes a moment when doing exactly what was agreed leads to frustration, disappointment or even blame. This program, Communicating Details, unpacks one of the most common but costly management traps: when plans are executed as approved, but shifting realities demand a different response.

Through the real-world case of one of our executive coaching clients, Michael explores why excessive upfront detail and rigid adherence to plans can backfire, even when managers explicitly sign off. You’ll learn the critical difference between following a plan and managing evolving priorities, why both employees and leaders share responsibility for context shifts, and how to apply a flexible problem-solving model that protects outcomes while maintaining trust.

This program equips consultants, managers, and senior leaders with the mindset and tools to navigate complex stakeholder dynamics, where communication, adaptability, and strategic judgment matter far more than simply “doing what was agreed.”
Episode title: A Common Problem

Insiders can move to Legacy anytime and back to Insider without losing Insider status. Just email us at team@firmsconsulting.com so we can manually restore your Insider status.

Ask Us a Question — Get Tailored Feedback

Legacy members are invited to submit one personal or professional question twice per month. We’ll respond with a custom answer recorded by a partner.

• Deadlines: Submit by the 15th and 30th of each month

• Format: One paragraph emailed to team@firmsconsulting.com

• Include: Context and details so we can provide tailored guidance for your unique situation

• Subject line: Legacy Question

We also released these free resources:

Strategy Skills Podcast (top 5-10 for careers in many countries)

Monday
From Ditch Digger to 9-Figure CEO: Building a Business That Runs Without You - with Ken Rusk

In this episode, Kris speaks with Ken Rusk, nine-figure CEO and bestselling author of Blue Collar Cash, on building and scaling a successful business.

Key insights:

- True growth comes from empowering entrepreneurial employees and building autonomous teams aligned with the company’s mission and motivated to perform.
- Rusk’s approach emphasizes the alignment of personal goals and corporate objectives, using a system of “timed pathways” where employees publicly commit to and pursue personal milestones, creating accountability and shared momentum.
- Strategic reinvestment in marketing, reputation, and customer experience fueled steady expansion, while maintaining a clear long-term vision kept the organization resilient during challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic.
- His leadership philosophy centers on building decision-makers, not just making decisions, and staying focused on time as the most valuable asset, balancing business success with personal well-being, family, and purpose.
- Rusk’s recent move to an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) reflects his commitment to sharing long-term value and ensuring that the team that built the company benefits from its future growth.

Rusk’s message is that sustainable business success stems from developing others, aligning incentives, and ensuring that leaders stay focused on the long view, both in business and in life.

Listen to the episode here (you can also watch or read the transcript).

Wednesday
Founding Partner of DCM Insights on What Today's Rainmakers Do Differently – with Matthew Dixon

In this episode, Kris speaks with Matthew Dixon, founding partner of DCM Insights and bestselling author, about his latest research on business development in professional services. Drawing on a global study of 3,000 partners, Dixon outlines five distinct sales profiles and highlights the “Activator” as the only approach consistently linked to higher revenue performance.

Key insights:

- Traditional models of client loyalty are eroding, with fewer clients returning automatically to the same firm.
- Top performers distinguish themselves by proactively delivering value, leveraging internal and external networks, and consistently committing time to business development.
- Effective firms drive adoption of these behaviors not through mandates, but by enabling teams with tools, mentorship, and a culture of collaboration.
- Technology, including AI and network management tools, reduces the time required to execute these strategies, but success ultimately relies on human relationships and judgment.

Dixon’s upcoming book, The Activator Advantage, provides a practical guide for partners and leaders seeking to future-proof client engagement strategies in a more competitive and fast-changing market.

Listen to the episode here (you can also watch or read the transcript).

Additionally, here are the recent releases on FIRMSconsulting / StrategyTraining.com / Kris Safarova YouTube Channels:

IT Strategy vs. Corporate Strategy: Microsoft - with Kris Safarova
Access here.

How to Build Consulting Storyboards in 3 Weeks (This is How McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte Do It) - with Kris Safarova
Access here.

How to Feel Comfortable on Camera - with Kris Safarova
Access here.

Management Consulting Storyboard | Storyboarding used by McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, PwC et al. - with Kris Safarova
Access here.

McKinsey’s Rise to Prominence Under Marvin Bower - with Kris Safarova
Access here.

The Systems Behind Sustained High Performance with ADHD - with Kris Safarova
Access here.

Ready to begin?

Log in to StrategyTraining.com to access new episodes, resources, and keep moving forward.

May 12–May 18, 2025 releases on StrategyTraining.com

The wrong partner can cost you more than a failed strategy.

I was asked:
When is the right time to marry?

Before success, so you can grow together?
Or after success, once life feels more stable?

My answer to the question was:
Marry when you meet the right person. 

This may sound like only a personal question. It’s not.

I’ve seen talented professionals stall not because they lacked vision or discipline, but because their environment made every step heavier. A partner who questions your priorities, undermines your time, or adds instability can quietly sabotage years of progress.

On the other hand, the right partner becomes a force multiplier.
They create space for you to focus.
They carry more when you need to carry less.
They stay when things get hard.

Some of my clients were left behind during health challenges, financial pressure, or periods of uncertainty.
Others were supported in difficult times beyond what most people would think is expected.  

Years from now, it won’t be the awards, metrics, or milestones that stay with you the most.
It will be the hand you held through it all.

Whether you’re choosing a life partner or a training platform, choosing the right partner matters.

One client and his wife went through our training together. They used StrategyTraining.com programs to learn critical thinking, strategy, problem-solving, business-building skills, and went on to build an AI engineering firm. 

There are three membership levels you should pay attention to. They are as follows:

Our reading library:

Strategy Control Room Advanced (SCRA) members gain access to our internal knowledge management system, including studies, proposals, Centers of Excellence, advanced books not available anywhere else, flip charts, slides from video programs, notes from The Consulting Offer, and more.

Our video/audio training library:

Insider membership is designed for long-term clients who want to deliver meaningful impact while accelerating their careers.

Legacy members receive everything in Insider, plus access to additional advanced programs and personalized guidance.

As you probably know, we add additional training and resources weekly. New training episodes and resources are now live and available on iOS, Android, Apple TV, and ROKU.

Here is what is new this week:

For Strategy Control Room Advanced Members

You’ll receive this exclusive update:

Sunday

New IT, Digital, AI, and Cloud Center-of-Excellence – Update 6 (115 SLIDES) of TBD

For Insider Members

These new training episodes are being released this week.

Friday
The MasterPlan Advanced – Episode 29 of TBD
The MasterPlan Advanced builds on the most transformative career strategy work we’ve done to date. Based on Michael’s and Kris’s personal experiences and decades of coaching senior executives, it covers how to move from well-off to wealthy, across career, relationships, investing, health, and more. This is the next step for members who are working toward building a richer, more fulfilling life, not only a career that looks successful to people around.
Episode title: Don't Negotiate a Prenup on the First Date

Saturday
The Real Reason You Are Not Being Promoted – Episode 11 of 18
This 18-part Insider program challenges the conventional wisdom of career growth, helping ambitious professionals rethink promotions, leadership roles, and long-term wealth creation.
Episode title: Have You Grown and Become a Better Professional Through Your Promotions

Sunday
(New) Why Am I Not Happy? How Can I Be Happy? – Episode 6 of 14
Practical insights to help you recognize the patterns that are draining your energy and how to stop them. Members can submit questions for the next 2 weeks to shape future episodes/related programs.
Episode title: Society Has Not, Does Not, and Will Never Teach You to Pursue Happiness. We Do.

For Legacy Members

In addition to all Insider episodes, Legacy members receive these exclusive episodes:

Friday
A Mid-Life Strategy Update – Episode 43 of TBD
What if your health, relationships, wealth, and life’s work all demanded urgent attention at the same time? In this real-time program, Michael shares the exact strategies he’s using to rebuild every major area of his life. It’s rare to get this level of access. Even rarer to see it in real time.
Episode title: The Most Important Audit You Will Ever Do

Saturday
How We Plant the Seeds of Relationship Turmoil – Episode 1 of 1
How We Plant the Seeds of Relationship Turmoil examines the often-overlooked link between cultural assumptions and long-term relational breakdown. Drawing on a real case of a high-performing medical professional, the program dissects how unspoken expectations, particularly around intergenerational roles, sacrifice, and filial obligation, can quietly erode trust and emotional connection over decades. Rather than focusing on dramatic conflict, the episode explores how rational planning, cultural rigidity, and absolute thinking can create an invisible system of strain that only surfaces when a child chooses a divergent path. For leaders navigating family dynamics, legacy planning, or complex cultural transitions, this is a case study in how emotional disconnection is often structured long before it is recognized.
Episode title: How We Plant the Seeds of Relationship Turmoil

Sunday
(New) I Don't Know If This Is What I Want to Do - Episode 3 of 7
Many clients are not certain that the work they are currently doing, or the industry they are currently in, is in fact the space where they want to continue building their career. If this is your situation, what is the way to decide a way forward?
Episode title: Do You Have: Own Vision?

Insiders can move to Legacy anytime and back to Insider without losing Insider status. Just email us at team@firmsconsulting.com so we can manually restore your Insider status.

Ask Us a Question — Get Tailored Feedback

Legacy members are invited to submit one personal or professional question twice per month. We’ll respond with a custom answer recorded by a partner.

• Deadlines: Submit by the 15th and 30th of each month

• Format: One paragraph emailed to team@firmsconsulting.com

• Include: Context and details so we can provide tailored guidance for your unique situation

• Subject line: Legacy Question

We also released these free resources:

Strategy Skills Podcast (top 5-10 for careers in many countries)

Monday
Artist, Leader, and Yale Fellow Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir on Rethinking Leadership Through Intuition and Inner Clarity - with Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir

In this episode, Icelandic author and global leadership advisor Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir offers a thoughtful synthesis of lived experience, scientific insight, and deep reflection on the role of intuition in high-stakes decision-making. Drawing from her early leadership in post-conflict Kosovo and a pivotal health crisis that redefined her trajectory, Hrund presents intuition not as mystical abstraction, but as an embodied, trainable form of intelligence, critical for navigating uncertainty, complexity, and personal transformation.

Listeners will walk away with tangible tools: how to use an “attention journal” to map unconscious signals, why sleep and silence outperform over-analysis in moments of pressure, and how leaders can systematically create space for intuition within teams. With a voice that blends strategic clarity and human depth, Hrund reminds us that the ability to listen inward, when trained, is structural. And it may be one of the few true advantages.

Listen to the episode here (you can also watch or read the transcript).

Wednesday
Microsoft Director on How to Empower Anyone to Innovate – with JoAnn Garbin

JoAnn Garbin has spent her career proving that breakthrough ideas come from structure. As former Director of Innovation at Microsoft Cloud and co-author of The Insider’s Guide to Innovation at Microsoft, she reveals how innovation really works inside one of the world’s most complex organizations.

In this episode, JoAnn unpacks what many leaders get wrong about innovation and how to do it right. She explains how orchestrated collaboration, disciplined experimentation, and the courage to email a CEO can unlock opportunity others miss. From building political capital without playing politics, to reshaping your network across decades, she shows how innovation becomes a repeatable craft when powered by conviction and community.

Listen to the episode here (you can also watch or read the transcript).

Additionally, here are the recent releases on FIRMSconsulting / StrategyTraining.com / Kris Safarova YouTube Channels:

The Systems Behind Sustained High Performance with ADHD - with Kris Safarova
Access here.

IT Strategy vs. Corporate Strategy: Microsoft - with Kris Safarova
Access here.

How to Build Consulting Storyboards in 3 Weeks (This is How McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte Do It) - with Kris Safarova
Access here.

How to Feel Comfortable on Camera - with Kris Safarova
Access here.

Management Consulting Storyboard | Storyboarding used by McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, PwC et al. - with Kris Safarova
Access here.

McKinsey’s Rise to Prominence Under Marvin Bower - with Kris Safarova
Access here.

Ready to begin?

Log in to StrategyTraining.com to access new episodes, resources, and keep moving forward.