We are grateful for having connected with Aïko Thurlow. Aiko is Ceo of InFounders:

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In this compelling conversation, Aiko shares how she transformed her own lonely entrepreneurial journey into a mission to bring people together through carefully facilitated peer groups. After discovering the power of Masterminds, she founded her company to help organizations—from industry associations to corporations—create spaces where professionals can authentically connect, problem-solve together, and experience genuine belonging in an increasingly transactional business world.

Key Highlights

• Trust can be built quickly through intentional depth - Rather than waiting years for trust to develop naturally, Aiko's methodology invites participants to "go deep very quickly" by creating psychologically safe spaces with clear ground rules, confidentiality, and facilitated vulnerability from the start.

• The "hot seat" model delivers measurable ROI - Each session focuses on one person's most pressing challenge while 6-7 carefully curated peers (similar level, no competitors or direct reports) provide support through questions and shared experiences, leading to concrete next steps and ongoing accountability.

• Questions and stories beat advice - The secret to effective peer support isn't jumping to problem-solving mode, but instead asking curious questions to understand deeply, then sharing relevant personal experiences without expecting anything in return—letting others take what serves them.

• Belonging happens when we reveal what's behind the veil - Moving beyond water cooler small talk to structured conversations about real struggles creates profound connection and relief, as people discover they're "not as weird as they thought" and don't have to solve everything alone.

• Peer perspective prevents wasted time - When we're stuck in the weeds, peers with big-picture views can redirect our energy toward what truly matters, often saving "hundreds of hours" by catching misdirected efforts we're too close to see.

Just as Aiko's peer groups create intentional space for depth, accountability, and belonging within organizations, our People Strategy Power Hour provides leaders with the framework and tools to build cultures where trust and human connection aren't accidental—they're engineered into how we work together.

People Strategy Power Hour | Leadership Beyond Compass

Stay tuned for more conversations about leveraging people power for improved relationship and greater business impact.

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Connect with AÏKO:

(7) Aïko Thurlow | LinkedIn

InFounders

About Us - InFounders

A Leadership Beyond exists to support the alignment between the business strategy and people strategy - to drive results with people not at the expense of people (Talent Optimization).

Subscribe to our podcast to join the Leadership Beyond Community of Conversation and hear insights from thought leaders and human development experts leading the way in the field of Talent Optimization.

We are grateful to you and always eager to hear from you!

To learn more visit https://aleadershipbeyond.com

Adrienne & Tom

There’s a big difference between watching a leadership tool in action—and experiencing it with your own team, focused on your real business challenges.

That’s the power of our People Strategy Power Hour.

At A Leadership Beyond, we believe people-first doesn’t mean soft—it means strategic. When leaders understand their own leadership DNA and how their team naturally works together, they can move faster, solve business problems more effectively, and stay aligned to what matters most.

In this week’s podcast episode, we walk through a live demo of the Predictive Index platform—one of the ways we leverage people data to gain insight into concrete business strategy.

You’ll see:

• How one leader’s PI profile reveals her strengths and stretch points
• What happens when her drives meet those of her team—and where friction or flow occurs
• How the PI Team Map and Strategy Alignment tools spotlight blind spots and untapped potential
• A real-time example of flexing styles to meet strategic goals

These insights don’t just create understanding—they open up the kinds of conversations that lead to better execution, stronger collaboration, and lasting alignment.

Want to see it through your own lens?

Schedule your People Strategy Power Hour here: https://aleadershipbeyond.com/people-strategy-power-hour-2/

You will receive a complimentary 6-minute PI assessment and a 30-minute 1:1 debrief with us followed by a team assessment and debrief if you choose to continue.

You’ll walk away with:

• A deeper understanding of your leadership style
• Insights into how to work better with your team
• The ability to identify and address gaps between your business objectives and your team’s strengths
• A practical view of where work style misalignments may be holding your team back—and how to flex toward alignment
• A real-time glimpse into how this tool supports your business goals

A Leadership Beyond exists to support the alignment between the business strategy and people strategy - to drive results with people not at the expense of people (Talent Optimization).

Subscribe to our podcast to join the Leadership Beyond Community of Conversation and hear insights from thought leaders and human development experts leading the way in the field of Talent Optimization.

We are grateful to you and always eager to hear from you! To learn more visit https://aleadershipbeyond.com

Tom & Adrienne

Thriving Through Transition

In this engaging conversation, Ben Baker shares his journey of professional transition, moving from owning a communication consulting company for 17 years to rebranding himself and exploring new opportunities. The discussion delves into the nuances of personal and professional evolution, resilience, and the importance of adaptability.

Key Highlights:
- Ben closed his company, Your Brand Marketing, at the end of 2024 to focus on coaching, mentoring, and solving problems.

- Emphasized the importance of creating a transition that allows continued connection with existing network. There are great examples of the power of reciprocity.

- Stressed the value of vulnerability, seeking feedback, and being open to continuous improvement.

- Discussed the difference between "change" (with a defined endpoint) and "evolution" (a continuous process).

- Highlighted the significance of understanding core personal values during transitions.

- Advised taking transitions step-by-step, communicating openly, and the importance of building a supportive tribe.

The conversation provides insights into navigating professional transitions with grace, intentionality, and a growth mindset.

We are honored and grateful to learn and grow with Ben Baker and our community of conversation.

We invite you to stay connected and spread the word. We are in this crazy leadership whirlwind together.

Connect with Ben:

YouTube: YouTube.com/gettingyounoticed

LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/IamBenBaker

A Leadership Beyond exists to support the alignment between the business strategy and people strategy - to drive results with people not at the expense of people (Talent Optimization).

Subscribe to our podcast to join the Leadership Beyond Community of Conversation and hear insights from thought leaders and human development experts leading the way in the field of Talent Optimization.

We are grateful to you and always eager to hear from you!

To learn more visit https://aleadershipbeyond.com

Adrienne & Tom

“Keep it simple and focus on what matters.

Don’t let yourself be overwhelmed.” -Confucius

The Power of the Pause

Congratulations to our co-host Adrienne Guerrero on rocking her TEDx talk on the Power of the Pause. She did it! We'll keep you posted when it's published. You won't want to miss it!

The P.A.U.S.E framework emerged from Adrienne's personal struggles with the symptoms of living and doing from a reactive state. She learns what she teaches, teaches as she learns!

A Leadership Beyond emerged as we saw our synergy and had big ideas, inspiring possibilities of working together. COVID struck and voila, "we can't do this!" We pulled over, asking, "what can we do?"

We've gone from lunch and learn, to blog, to podcast, to community of conversation.

We think you'll enjoy this insightful conversation between co-founders Adrienne Guerrero and Tom Rosenak, as we discuss Adrienne's recent TEDx experience, the framework, and how this concept can help leaders navigate today's fast-paced, distraction-filled environment.

Key Highlights:

• The PAUSE Framework: A practical approach for leaders to escape reactivity and make strategic decisions:
• • Pull over: Find your technique to calm your mind (meditation, breathing, movement)
  • Assess: Ask "what is true" and "what needs to be true" challenging your assumptions
  • U turn: Uncover possible options after grounding in values
  • Start: Take action, no matter how small
  • Evaluate: Reflect and determine next steps
• The Strategic Value: In today's VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) environment:
• • Leaders often sacrifice strategy for tactical "box-checking"
  • The pause framework helps identify what truly matters versus mere motion
  • Small, intentional steps can create meaningful progress toward important goals
• Our Community Support:
• • Practical tools to make strategic pausing easier, including assessments, frameworks, and execution support
  • Accountability and guidance through workshops, executive coaching, and change leadership support.
  • Help with staying focused on what you're "counting on to win" rather than being pulled into constant reactivity

Join us for our next episode of A Leadership Beyond, where we'll continue to explore ways our guests have gone from survive to thrive in today's complex leadership landscape.

A Leadership Beyond exists to support the alignment between the business strategy and people strategy - to drive results with people not at the expense of people (Talent Optimization). Subscribe to our podcast to join the Leadership Beyond Community of Conversation and hear insights from thought leaders and human development experts leading the way in the field of Talent Optimization.

We are grateful to you and always eager to hear from you!

To learn more visit https://aleadershipbeyond.com

Adrienne & Tom

How important it is to walk along, not in haste but slowly, looking at everything

and calling out

Yes! No!

The swan, for all his pomp, his robes of grass and petals, wants only to be allowed to live on the nameless pond. The catbrier is without fault. The water thrushes, down among the sloppy rocks, are going crazy with happiness. Imagination is better than a sharp instrument. To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work.

— Mary Oliver, "Yes! No!" Owls and Other Fantasies: Poems and Essays, Beacon Press, Boston, 2003, p. 27

In this week’s release of A Leadership Beyond, hosts Adrienne Guerrero and Tom Rosenak welcomed Michele Stowe, founder of Skyrocket Coaching, to discuss her continuous journey of aligning work with her core life values. Michele's story offers valuable insights for leaders seeking to create healthier work environments, achieve success with personal balance.

During the interview, Michele shared valuable insights about leadership and energy management along with other insights:

• The impact of energy: Nonprofit C-suite leaders are experiencing unprecedented challenges in today's environment. One client told her, "I just don't want to keep leading in unprecedented times," having navigated through the pandemic and continued uncertainty. There are always trade offs and we must learn to make choices with greater intentionality.
• Intentional role modeling: Leaders must be thoughtful about how they spend their time and demonstrate this to their teams. By showing employees that there are various ways to restore energy—whether through hiking, playing music, or spending time with family—leaders create space for everyone to find what works for them.
• Understanding cultural dynamics: Michele emphasized the importance of recognizing the cultural dynamics at play in an organization—including geographic, sector-specific, company, and generational differences in work expectations—and determining whether one's values align with that culture.

After interviewing 100 nonprofit C-suite leaders with more than five years in their roles, Michele developed a framework for effective leadership: The Listen, Lead, and Love Your Work framework which she shares during our conversation.

Michelle's story reminds us that leaders have the power to shape both their own work experiences and their organizational cultures. By listening deeply, modeling self-care, finding joy in work, and establishing meaningful measures of success, leaders can create environments where both they and their teams thrive.

To follow and connect with Michele:

Website: Skyrocket Coaching

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-stowe-pcc-9458314/

A Leadership Beyond exists to support the alignment between the business strategy and people strategy - to drive results with people not at the expense of people (Talent Optimization). Subscribe to our podcast to join the Leadership Beyond Community of Conversation and hear insights from thought leaders and human development experts leading the way in the field of Talent Optimization.

We are grateful to you and always eager to hear from you!

To learn more visit https://aleadershipbeyond.com

How to Lead in the New World of Work

In this episode of A Leadership Beyond, we welcome Dina Denham Smith, co-author of the book "Emotionally Charged: How to Lead in the New World of Work" (releasing February 18).

As an expert at the intersection of psychology and business, Dina shares valuable insights on leadership in today's emotionally demanding workplace.

Key highlights from our conversation include:

• The critical importance of recovery for high performance, comparing leaders to race cars that need strategic pit stops
  
  
• The mounting business costs and human drain on productivity as modern leaders face unprecedented emotional demands without adequate training or resources
• 
  The distinction between different types of empathy and the concept of "compassionate detachment"
  
  

· Practical strategies for setting boundaries in an always-connected world

Our conversation with Dina aligns perfectly with our ongoing conversations about the human side of leadership and the evolving demands on today’s leaders.

Join us as we continue to explore how to create more sustainable and effective leadership practices in the modern workplace.

At A Leadership Beyond, we're brewing the secret sauce for organizational success: combining rich conversations with experts in the trenches, viewing business challenges through a people-first lens, and aligning business goals with human needs - all backed by proven data and gold standard leadership communication practices.

Stay tuned for an insightful discussion that challenges conventional wisdom about "soft skills" and offers practical solutions for today's leadership challenges.

Head to these links to follow and connect with Dina:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dina-denham-smith

Website: https://www.dinadsmith.com/

To purchase her book on Amazon: Emotionally Charged: How to Lead in the New World of Work

A Leadership Beyond exists to support the alignment between the business strategy and people strategy - to drive results with people not at the expense of people (Talent Optimization). Subscribe to our podcast to join the Leadership Beyond Community of Conversation and hear insights from thought leaders and human development experts leading the way in the field of Talent Optimization.

We are grateful to you and always eager to hear from you!

To learn more visit https://aleadershipbeyond.com