DeSantis Trusted Advisors

09/03/2026

Failure doesn’t mean you’re back at square one. Every setback comes with lessons, experience and a better understanding of what to try next.

Sometimes progress means moving forward, and other times it simply means staying in the game. Learning to embrace failure, adjust expectations and keep going can make all the difference. https://www.fastcompany.com/91572076/how-to-deal-with-failure-and-stick-with-hard-things

09/01/2026

Competition doesn’t have to mean tearing others down. When approached with the right mindset, it can motivate people to raise the bar, sharpen their skills and achieve more together.

Creating a culture of healthy competition can build resilience, encourage innovation and inspire teams to keep growing—turning rivals into partners in progress.

When most people hear the word “competition,” they immediately picture a zero-sum game: if someone else wins, you lose. But competition can be one of the most powerful forces for growth, both personally and professionally. Think back: we’ve all had a rival or two in our lives. Maybe it was a c...

08/31/2026

Strong leadership doesn’t always feel comfortable.

Leaders who challenge the status quo, push for progress and hold teams to higher standards can sometimes be labeled as “difficult” or even become seen as the problem. But what if that friction is actually revealing something deeper about the organization?

Understanding the difference can help workplaces better support effective leaders—and create cultures that are truly ready for growth and change.

When a leader creates friction, organizations default to a single explanation: the leader needs to change. In reality, that friction usually comes from one or a combination of four different sources—capability, perception, identity, or system. Because those look similar on the surface, organizatio...

08/27/2026

AI’s biggest return may not be about doing more with less—it may be about rethinking when you need to hire at all.

As businesses embrace AI, the real opportunity lies in identifying repetitive work that can be automated while reserving human talent for the judgment, creativity and decision-making that technology can’t replace. This Entrepreneur article explores why leaders should look at workflows before automatically adding headcount—and how that shift can have a meaningful impact on the bottom line.

Most AI spending never shows up on the bottom line. Here's the real test for what actually moves your margin.

08/25/2026

Leadership today requires more than experience and expertise. It requires the ability to reflect, adapt and make thoughtful decisions amid constant change.

Executive coaching gives leaders a dedicated space to step outside the day-to-day demands of their roles, gain perspective and strengthen how they approach complex challenges. This article explores why personalized coaching is becoming an increasingly valuable part of leadership development—and how it can help leaders grow in ways that benefit both themselves and their organizations.

Leadership development has long been considered a cornerstone of organizational success. Yet the conditions leaders operate within today bear little resemblance to those of even a decade ago. Rapid technological change, hybrid work structures, shifting employee expectations, and global uncertainty h...

08/24/2026

What if developing creative talent was less about instinct—and more about understanding what actually helps people grow?

New research highlighted by Harvard Business Review looks at how organizations can take a more intentional, evidence-based approach to identifying and developing creative potential. It’s a reminder that great talent doesn’t simply emerge on its own; the right environment, opportunities and leadership can make all the difference.

Companies often make consequential bets on talent based largely on instinct. Research on more than 4,200 musicians suggests a more systematic approach. Managers should assess three forms of capital: commercial track record, networks, and professional credibility. They can then use collaborations, st...

08/20/2026

Leadership can be surprisingly lonely. The higher you move within an organization, the fewer places you may have where you can speak openly about the decisions, pressure, and uncertainty that come with the role. That is why building trusted relationships matters so much for leaders.

Having people who can listen, challenge your thinking, and offer an honest perspective can make leadership feel a little more human and a lot more sustainable.

Loneliness is an epidemic. Each and every one of us has intimately experienced loneliness. Did you know, though, that studies show that loneliness can quite literally be deadly? Just recently, the U.S. Surgeon General announced

08/18/2026

When organizations are navigating multiple challenges at once, alignment becomes one of a leader’s most important responsibilities. People need to understand where the organization is headed, how their work contributes to that direction, and what matters most when priorities compete for attention.

Clear communication and shared goals can help teams stay focused even when circumstances are changing quickly. Good leadership creates that sense of direction while giving people the trust and flexibility to do their work well. As always with good leadership - it isn't easy, but it is always worth it.

Don’t let local wins cause system failure. Learn to balance team goals with broader success for organizational alignment.

08/17/2026

Starting a company requires a certain kind of confidence and willingness to take a risk. Leading that company as it grows requires something different: the ability to keep learning, recognize when the business has changed, and grow alongside it. For founders, that can mean letting go of some of the things that worked in the early days and trusting other people to take on new responsibilities.

Great advice here on how to grow into the CEO role once you've started your own company.

Most founders don't survive year three because they keep leading the company they started instead of the one they built. Here's how to shift your calendar, your team and your decision-making before the board decides for you.

08/13/2026

When leading with empathy, communication is key, especially as companies shift to hybrid work schedules, maintaining empathy through all of these reopening changes can show support. This can be done through flexibility in schedules, addressing hesitation, and communicating openly about expectations. Reach out today to learn how I can assist you in developing your sense of empathy and implementing it within your organization.

Though considered a "soft skill," empathy is not just a buzzword. Cultivating this branch of emotional intelligence will result in positive effects for your career and your life. At the heart of empathy is understanding and communication, which are both powerful tools in the workplace. Focusing on t...