The Operator’s Compass: Making Fast Calls Without Losing Strategic North
One of the hardest parts of being a CEO is making decisions without having all the information. In industries like healthcare and mining where I’ve spent much of my career, you rarely get perfect clarity. You have to move quickly, often under pressure, and trust that your judgment will hold up under scrutiny. Over time, […]
The Leadership Shift: How CEOs Must Evolve from Fighter to Architect as the Business Grows
When I first stepped into the CEO seat, I was scrappy. I was a fighter. I lived in the weeds, solved every fire myself, chased every lead, and wore every hat. And it worked — for a while. We grew fast. From a few hundred thousand in revenue to millions. But somewhere in that middle […]
From Underground to Boardroom: What the Mining Sector Taught Me About Risk and Reward
Long before I was sitting in boardrooms, closing deals, or scaling companies past eight figures, I was down in the trenches — literally. My early career was in the mining sector, one of the most volatile, high-stakes industries you can work in. And while my journey eventually took me into healthcare, tech, and corporate leadership, […]
The Second Wind: How Long-Term CEOs Stay Energized Without Burning Out
Leading a company is a marathon — not a sprint. And after running CTS for well over a decade, I can tell you firsthand: there are moments where the adrenaline runs dry, the challenges stack up, and burnout starts knocking at the door. But here’s the thing — long-term leadership doesn’t mean long-term exhaustion. The […]
Music as a Leadership Metaphor: Building Harmony, Tempo, and Flow in Business Teams
Music has always been a part of my life. Whether it’s classic rock in the car, jazz in the background while I work, or a steady playlist on a long run — I’ve always appreciated the way music brings order to chaos. But the more I’ve led teams and built businesses, the more I’ve come […]
Leading with Grit: The Traits That Define Effective Operators in Competitive Markets
Some leaders dream big but never execute. Others execute well but lack direction. And then there’s a rare breed: leaders who combine vision with grit — the ones who see the long game and get their hands dirty to make it happen. I’ve built and led companies in some highly competitive sectors — healthcare, mining, […]
The Politics of Business: How Following Global Trends Can Give Entrepreneurs a Competitive Edge
Most people assume business and politics should stay in separate lanes. I disagree. As an entrepreneur and CEO, I’ve found that staying politically informed gives me a major advantage — not just in knowing what’s happening in the world, but in anticipating how those changes will affect my business, my industry, and my leadership decisions. […]
CEO Fitness: Why Running Is the Best Executive Training Ground
There’s something about running that brings clarity. It’s just you, your breath, the pavement, and your thoughts. No boardroom distractions. No email pings. No noise. I’ve been running almost every day for years now. I’ve completed two half marathons and logged thousands of miles, whether on Toronto streets, hotel treadmills, or trails during weekend escapes. […]