CEO Leadership Insights - January 2026

“There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”

C.S. Lewis

1898-1963

Author of “The Chronicles of Narnia” and “The Screwtape Letters”

First Rate Thinkers and Second Order Thinking

If you’re still looking for a New Year’s resolution for 2026, here’s one: Think Twice.

Ray Dalio, found of hedge fund Bridgewater Associates warns “Failing to consider second- and third-order consequences is the cause of a lot of painfully bad decisions, and it is especially deadly when the first inferior option confirms your own biases. Never seize on the first available option, no matter how good it seems.”

A post in the Farnam Street blog advises that the “ability to think through problems to the second, third, and nth order—or what we will call second order thinking for short—is a powerful thinking tool that not only solves problems but avoids them.

Learn more about Second-Order Thinking: What Smart People Use to Outperform

Is Your HR Department Profitable?

HR doesn’t generate revenue, so most executives don’t see it as a profit center. But Vistage Speaker and employment law expert Hunter Lott challenges our members to think of HR as much more than a compliance function. It can feel like an “us and them” situation, but it should be a profit center.

Mr. Lott offers some advice on creating a strategic HR function…and one question he asks in a short video is “Are you an HR Outlier?" 

“Sensation, Presence and Connection”

If you’re looking for ways to differentiate yourself from everyone else, here’s two suggestions. 

First, Pick Up a Pen.  Sheldon Yellen, CEO of Belfor ( a leader in property restoration and disaster recovery) praises the nearly lost art of the handwritten letter or note to an employee or customer. In a short article in Chief Executive Magazine, he explains Why Handwritten Letters Matter In The Digital Age

“This is not just writing. It is sensation. It is presence. It is connection.”

Second, Pick up the Phone:  Over reliance on texting and email especially on matters of importance and conflict serves no one and delays resolution. Initiating a voice-to-voice conversation, especially regarding conflict, will convey a sense of leadership and respect from the other party.  

Here’s a great guide to share with your team on when to text, email or pick up the phone.  The Art of Choosing Email, IM, or Phone Calls

Econ Recon:

A 2026 Roller Coaster:  Economist Brian Wesbury looks ahead to the 2026 and say  “Pay attention and be nimble. This coming year could be roller coaster.”   

He also offers executive summaries on the Institute of Supply Management’s ISM Non-Manufacturing (service sector) Index (encouraging; “beating even the most optimistic forecast from any economics group surveyed by Bloomberg’)….and the ISM Manufacturing Index (“Factory activity continued to decline in December, capping off a year the manufacturing sector would rather forget.)

“A Mediocre (Jobs) Report” Is how Mr. Wesbury describes last week's December Employment report concluding “On net, leisure & hospitality as well as private education and health accounted for all private sector payroll growth in 2025.”

Friends,

As you navigate the uncertainty and opportunities (think AI) this year, who are you turning to for advice?

Why not ask successful CEOs and senior business executives what they've tried? What has worked, and what hasn't worked for them?

My CEO peer advisory group consists of 18 high-performing, non-competing business owners. They share their experience to help each other solve their biggest challenges and capture their best opportunities, all in a confidential forum.

As a result, members grow faster and are more profitable, with less stress.

Contact me if you think you may be a candidate for our group. Typical members are growth-oriented CEOs/owners of southeastern New England businesses with revenues between $10 million and $200 million.

Don't go it alone. Don't suffer from being 'lonely at the top'. Contact me to see if you'd be a fit.

Warm regards,

Scott