The CEO Project

08/25/2026

If you’ve ever gone through an enterprise software deployment, you already understand the main dilemma: should we adapt the software to match our processes, or should we modify our processes to fit the software? This is usually followed by, “Our business is unique.”

Most organizations tend to go with the first option. After all, their employees have been doing things a certain way for years. The processes “work.” They have names and rules. Often, they exist because someone made a mistake once, leading to a guardrail being added, then another, and so on. Over time, a simple workflow turns into a set of deeply ingrained habits and tribal knowledge that seem impossible to change.
But here’s the truth that seasoned operators eventually learn: the more you force a sophisticated software system to fit your current processes, the more you restrict yourself—financially, operationally, and strategically.

Read to find out why your next ERP deployment should begin by rethinking your process—not by rewriting the software:

Why your next ERP deployment should begin by rethinking your process—not by rewriting the software. If you've ever gone through an enterprise software ...

08/24/2026

What happens when CEOs bring their toughest business decisions to a trusted group of peers?
Explore real CEO peer group case studies involving acquisitions, restructuring, board expectations, and growth strategy in the latest episode of The CEO Project Podcast.
Listen here: https://theceoproject.com/ceo-peer-group-case-studies-that-will-change-how-you-lead/

08/17/2026

Your workload might not be the real reason you're overwhelmed.
It could be your thought load.
In this episode of The CEO Project Podcast, Jim Schleckser and Liane Davey explore the hidden cognitive and emotional demands draining leaders' energy, focus, and ability to do their most important work.
Learn how to reduce the noise and make more room for what matters.
Listen now: https://theceoproject.com/thought-load-is-costing-you-more-than-you-think-every-day/

08/11/2026

Every leader today is focused on the same challenge: talent. Whether it’s finding people who show up, take ownership, and truly finish the work, or identifying future leaders who can grow with your company, great talent still seems rare.
But what if a valuable source of experienced, high-performing employees is right in front of us—just not where we typically look?
You could find your next ideal hire in the carpool lane.

Read to find out How businesses can tap into an overlooked pool of high-performing talent by rethinking what “qualified” really means:

If you’re willing to overlook the résumé gap and be schedule flexible, you might discover your next great employee in the carpool line.

08/10/2026

What can CEOs learn from the grocery industry?
More than you might think.
In this episode of The CEO Project Podcast, Andy Ellwood shares how AI, transparency, and solving real customer problems are reshaping grocery shopping and the leadership lessons every entrepreneur can apply.
Listen now: https://theceoproject.com/what-ceos-can-learn-from-how-ai-is-reshaping-the-grocery-industry/

08/06/2026

The biggest challenges CEOs face aren't usually visible from the outside.

As companies grow, decisions become more complex, the stakes get higher, and it becomes harder to find people who will challenge your thinking instead of simply agreeing with you.

I recently joined Robert Reiss on The CEO Show to talk about what separates exceptional CEOs from the rest - how to identify the real constraint holding your business back, avoid becoming the bottleneck, and build an organization that can scale without depending on you for every decision.

If you're a CEO, business owner, or executive leader looking to grow your company and your impact, I think you'll enjoy this conversation.

🎧 Listen here: https://theceoforumgroupinstitute.com/audio/dr-jim-schleckser-founder-ceo-the-ceo-project/

I'd love to hear from you: What's the biggest leadership lesson you've learned while growing your business? Share it in the comments.

Jim founded The CEO Project to give mid-market CEOs a confidential peer group and coaching platform for better big-bet decisions. Jim shares with us how The CEO Project Partners work with CEOs to help them make the right decisions that impact their company’s growth and profitability.

08/04/2026

Every leader has faced this moment. You've invested time, money, and reputation in a project that's just not working out. Maybe it's a new product launch that never gained traction, a joint venture that promised a lot but underdelivered, or an expansion into a region that keeps resisting progress. Deep down, you know it won't turn around. Still, the thought of walking away feels impossible.

That's the sunk cost trap at work. It's one of the most powerful and riskiest biases in business.

Read to find out What Exactly Is the Sunk Cost Fallacy:

At its core, the sunk cost trap is the idea that we believe we must keep going because we've already invested heavily, whether it’s time, money, energy, or credibility.

08/03/2026

Successful AI deployment isn't about finding the newest tool. It's about solving the right business problems.
In this episode of The CEO Project Podcast, Jim Schleckser and Christa Hill discuss how CEOs can move beyond AI hype to build smarter workflows, stronger teams, and real business results.
Listen now: https://theceoproject.com/ai-deployment-secrets-most-ceos-get-wrong/

07/28/2026

For decades, business leaders have been engaged in a global treasure hunt to find the most cost-effective place to outsource routine white-collar tasks. Tasks like accounting, billing, invoice reconciliation, and copywriting—none of this added huge value, but they still needed to be done. So, we asked: who can do it for less?

First, the work shifted from expensive U.S. cities to rural areas. Then it moved even further—first to nearshore hubs in Central and South America, then to offshore centers in India and the Philippines.

But there's a new place for this kind of work. And it's not a country. It's not even human. It's AI.

Read to find out how AI is rewriting the rules—and no geography can compete:

From rural towns to overseas hubs, we chased cheaper labor. Now, AI is rewriting the rules—and no geography can compete. For decades, business leaders have ...

07/27/2026

The best business advice doesn't always come from a book. Sometimes it comes from other entrepreneurs who have already faced the challenges you're navigating today.

In this episode of The CEO Project Podcast, Jim Schleckser talks with Nic Breedlove, CEO of NVB Playgrounds, about leadership, company culture, learning from failure, and why surrounding yourself with the right peers can accelerate your growth.

Listen now: https://theceoproject.com/why-entrepreneurs-need-other-entrepreneurs-to-be-great/