The CEO Project

05/26/2026

A great strategy isn't about having the boldest vision or the slickest PowerPoint; it's about having the most accurate map of reality and the interrelations.
That may seem obvious, but you'd be surprised how many leaders depend on outdated assumptions or flawed mental models of the world around them. And when your mental model is wrong, your strategy will be too.
Let's break this down.

Whether you're running a startup or a multinational, strategy is essentially your best effort to succeed, based on how well you understand your environment. That includes your capabilities, competitors, customers, constraints, and the pace of change in your industry.
If your understanding of any of those factors is incorrect, you'll make poor decisions—sometimes with deadly consequences.

------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------

05/25/2026

The best CEOs don’t negotiate to overpower the other side.
They negotiate for alignment over conflict.
In the latest episode of The CEO Project Podcast, Jim Schleckser and Stanford negotiation expert Stan Christensen break down how great leaders create better outcomes through fairness, preparation, and relationship-building.
Listen now: https://theceoproject.com/why-do-smart-ceos-choose-alignment-over-conflict-in-every-big-negotiation/

05/20/2026

Most companies are still optimizing for Google.

Meanwhile, AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude are already influencing how customers discover brands, evaluate credibility, and make buying decisions.

In this episode of The CEO Project Podcast, Jim Schleckser talks with Gilad Bechar of Moburst about what businesses need to do now to stay visible in an AI-first marketing landscape.

A smart conversation on AI marketing, LinkedIn strategy, content authority, and the future of digital growth.

Listen here:
https://theceoproject.com/how-proven-ai-marketing-methods-transform-companies-into-unstoppable-category-leaders/

05/19/2026

Let's be honest—your business might be thriving. But you? You're struggling to sleep because all your resources are tied to the company's success. This overreliance on wealth is common: a founder establishes a successful business, and over time, that business accounts for 90% or even 100% of their net worth. This isn't unusual. It makes sense, particularly in the early years, when your primary focus is on reinvesting everything back into the company.

But eventually, you begin to wonder: Is there a way to take some money off the table without losing control or walking away completely?

Read to find out how to take cash out of the business without selling it:

Leveraging a "Lever-Up, Cash Out" Strategy Let's be honest—your business might be thriving. But you? You're struggling to sleep because ...

05/18/2026

AI marketing is rewriting the rules of customer acquisition.

In the latest episode of The CEO Project Podcast, Jim Schleckser talks with Gilad Bechar of Moburst about how ChatGPT, LinkedIn, YouTube, and AI-driven search are changing the way companies build authority and attract customers.

If you want to understand where digital marketing is headed next, this episode is worth your time.

Listen now:
https://theceoproject.com/how-proven-ai-marketing-methods-transform-companies-into-unstoppable-category-leaders/

05/12/2026

As a CEO, your primary responsibility is to drive business growth. That’s what you’re supposed to do. But here’s the paradox: as your business expands in size and complexity, so does the chance that you’ll make a grave mistake.

This idea isn’t just a theory. It’s a statistical fact—and one that too many leaders ignore until it’s too late.

The very goals you’re aiming for—more revenue, more employees, more products, more markets—gradually increase the risk of strategic errors. Systems that work well at $10 million in revenue begin to strain at $50 million. What was once an efficient machine becomes a complex web of moving parts, each with its own chance of failure.

If you’re scaling, you’re stepping into a minefield. # The CEO Project

Read to Find out The Hidden Risk CEOs Face as Scale and Complexity Increase:

With Business Growth that CEO's are aiming for—more revenue, more employees, more products, more markets—gradually increase the risk of strategic errors.

05/11/2026

Your leadership effectiveness may have less to do with strategy and more to do with your attachment style.

In this episode of The CEO Project Podcast, Dr. Jaime Goff explains how trust, vulnerability, emotional regulation, and self-awareness shape the way leaders show up under pressure.

If you want to become a more effective leader, this conversation is worth your time.

Listen here: https://theceoproject.com/attachment-style-determines-leadership-effectiveness/

05/05/2026

One of the most common questions CEOs and business owners ask is: “What’s the right amount of capital to invest back into the business?” Some measure it as a percentage of revenue. Others base it on available profits. And many guess.

But there’s a more practical and strategic way to answer that question—one that’s right in front of you on your income statement. It’s called depreciation.

Most leaders see depreciation as just a tax or accounting detail. However, it actually signals the amount of capital your business uses up each year. If you want to keep your operations healthy, scalable, and competitive, depreciation should be the foundation of your investment strategy.

How Smart CEOs Use Depreciation to Guide Capital Spending and Avoid Hidden Decline:

If you want to keep your operations healthy, scalable, and competitive, depreciation should be the foundation of your capital investment strategy.

05/04/2026

SEO isn’t dead—but it’s no longer the whole game.
Your customers are getting answers from AI before they ever click a link.

If your brand isn’t showing up there, you’re missing the moment that matters.
That’s why smart organizations are shifting to AEO tracking—measuring influence, not just traffic.
Because in a zero-click world, visibility ≠ impact.

Learn what’s changing and how to adapt:
https://theceoproject.com/why-are-smart-organizations-moving-from-seo-to-aeo-tracking/

04/28/2026

Let's be clear: most micromanagers don't see themselves as villains. They often believe they're coaching, staying engaged, or helping to keep things on track. However, in doing so, they may unintentionally stifle the very people they rely on to lead the organization forward.
That's because high performers interpret excessive oversight quite differently. They don't require daily check-ins, have their math double-checked, or need their reports rewritten. When they are second-guessed, over-scrutinized, or compelled to justify every decision, they don't perceive support—they sense distrust.
As time goes on, that distrust accumulates into emotional exhaustion.
Read to find out why well-meaning managers can drive top performers out the door:

Micromanagement isn't just about oversight; it's about ownership. Great leaders understand when micromanagement becomes bullying.