Stop the Grind
The hardest problems in your business aren't about strategy, execution, or efficiency. They are about using the wrong leadership fuel.
You really, really don't have to grind
You are successful and high-performing. And so is your team. But you're likely exhausted or heading there soon.That is the Grind. And in today's world, our batteries run out faster than ever.
The Context: Leading in an Alien World
The landscape has shifted. We are leading in an era of unprecedented Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity (VUCA).From the disruption of AI and economic instability to political polarization and a disheartened workforce, the pressure is relentless. The old playbook—"push harder, grind it out"—might have worked in calmer times or when our companies were simpler. But in this environment, attempting to lead a company on finite grind energy isn't just unsustainable; it’s a liability.You cannot navigate a crisis-filled world when you and your team are running on empty.
The Problem: A Team of Batteries
We've been taught--and quietly reinforce in each other--that if we just work harder, tune the process, find one more "hack," or exert more control, the pressure will eventually let up.But it hasn't. That’s because we’re running on what I call Battery Power. It’s finite, it’s draining, and it’s a "Control & Grind" model that treats our business like a machine and us like replaceable parts.There are three fallacies that cause us to lead on battery power. You can probably see how you and your team are trapped by them.
Separation: We are separate and alone in a harsh world. We are machine-like.
Force: We have to make things happen or prevent bad from things from happening.
Scarcity: There's not enough; what we want is never attainable.
With these fallacies in place, we try doubling down, finding another gear, or pushing-until-we-can-exit. But it doesn't work and our businesses start to feel like "dumpster-fire-lighting-machines."Of course, there is a better way: plug in.
The Shift: Plugging In
Sticking with the metaphor, instead of running on battery power, plug in to the grid. Then help your team do the same. Do this by unlocking the Three Hidden Superpowers already inside you and everyone:
Wisdom: You have smarts beyond spreadsheets and talents no computer can ever have. This includes intuition, creativity, and gut sense. You can help us navigate in uncertainty.
Presence: You can bring a grounded presence that evaporates resistance and inspires us to take ownership. You help us replace grind with flow. We also call this small-p power.
Momentum: With Wisdom and Presence engaged, you help us tap a virtually inexhaustible source of energy. We get pulled forward by a shared vision of a "better, broader, brighter" future—an ideal that energizes us regardless of the external environment.
By uncovering your superpowers we strip away the stress-based habits masking your best leadership.
The Equation:
Wisdom + Presence + Momentum = PLUGGED IN
| So you go from: | To: |
|---|---|
| Strategic Misalignment: Different priorities pulling the company in conflicting directions | Unified Direction: Your team moving in lockstep toward clear, shared priorities |
| Outdated Leadership Models: The leader's job is to make sure everything gets done right | Modern Leadership Practices: Leaders build the environment so we deliver and want to keep going |
| Role Confusion: People are unclear about how their roles, others' roles, and how it all works or even matters | Role Clarity: Everyone sees how they fit and how what they do matters |
| Tactical Overwhelm: Leaders stuck in day-to-day operations instead of strategic direction | Strategic Focus: Leaders working on the business, not just in it |
| Command-and-Control Mindset: Micromanagement that stifles innovation and slows execution | Empowerment Culture: People and teams throughout the organization equipped to own and execute without constant senior oversight |
| Legacy Steering: Meeting cadences and decision processes that don’t match today’s pace of business | Adaptive Steering: Governance and communication cadences that scale with your growth |
| Lower Productivity and Resilience: It's hard to enroll and steer the rest of the company to innovate and improve | Innovative and Ready: Transformation and innovation become one of the company's core capabilities |
| Limited Value: The value of your company is limited by future partners/investors belief in leadership | Highest Value: Future partners' and investors' faith in the company's leadership brings higher valuations |
How We Do It: The 3ive Model
We don't just talk about it. We install the operating system that keeps you and your team Plugged In.
Plugged-In You: We move you from Fragmented to Coherent. You gain the Emotional Intelligence to manage triggers and lead with Wisdom, Presence, and Momentum.
Plugged-In Senior Team: You help them Plug In. We transform your team from a scattered group of unplugged individuals into a unified force that shares the load and moves in lockstep.
Plugged-In Company: Your organization shifts from Grinding to Flowing—wasting less time, executing with ease, and creating the highest value for all.
Your Guide
Michael Ehling
Strategic Leadership Consultant
I help CEOs connect to their hidden superpowers then inspire their teams to do the same. With unique strengths in connection and strategy, I see the people- and business patterns others miss.
“We have worked with Mike since we started the company over 15 years ago. Along the way, he provided the insight and guidance to us on the senior team so that we could take the company further than any of us thought possible. Of course, we put in all the sweat, sleepless nights, and investments. But without Mike, we would not have gotten here.” — Shameiz Hemani, CEO of Greenlight Consulting
Services
For you, your senior team, and whole organization:
Plugged-In You
Plugged-In Leadership Coaching: One-on-one leadership training, plug-in training, sounding board, and thinking partner.
Plugged-In Peer Learning: regular, confidential meetings with a group of like-minded, non-competing CEOs is a game changer for plugged-in leaders. Delivered as membership in a MacKay CEO Forums group.
Plugged-In Senior Team
Ready Team One: Interviews, assessments, recommendations, and workshops to help your senior team lead current projects and deliverables as plugged-in leaders. More here.
Plugged-In Leadership Coaching: As with you, your leaders can become plugged-in leaders faster with one-on-one leadership training and coaching.
Plugged-In Peer Learning: regular, confidential meetings with a group of like-minded, non-competing executives is a game-changer for your team members, too.
Plugged-In Company
Coaching on Call - As your team grows, it can helpful to have a neutral-but-up-to-speed sounding board on an as-needed basis
Leadership Loop - Simple, repeatable leadership model for leaders at all levels to plug in and generate alignment, ownership, accountability, and growth
Plugged-In Business Development for Consultants and Other Service Pros - Simple, repeatable model for generating a flow of business from new and existing clients.
Book Your Leadership Fuel Review or Chat
You and your company should not have to grind. But how to begin? A 60-minute chat is a great first step. We will do a Leadership Fuel Review, identify where to start, and leave you with a simple-to-deliver plan. Select a convenient time here:
Download my Leadership Fuel Self-Check
Is now the time to switch from leading on battery power to plugging in and helping others do the same?
Unlocking Wisdom, Presence, and Momentum can sound like something that's only nice-to-have when there are very real, very important, and very pressing demands on your time. Chances are, however, that plugging in to your superpowers will be the faster, better, and more economical solution to those issues. Download this complimentary workbook to uncover:
The Fallacies Trap: Where is running on battery power doing more harm than good to you and your business?
Scope of the Prize: What's the potential lift of plugging in for even one of the dumpster fires you're fighting?
Your Fastest Way to Plug In: What's your go-to tool for plugging in and getting into the flow? I've included my favourite tool for this that you can try.
Immediate Action Steps: What are the next practical steps you can take to apply the plugged in approach to a current challege?
In addition to the Leadership Fuel Self-Check, you'll continue to receive occasional brief, practical emails with the latest tools and insights for being a plugged in leader and transforming your business from grinding to flowing. Unsubscribe anytime.
In Your Corner: Leadership Blog
Read it here on Substack.
© 1999-2025 by Michael Ehling. All rights reserved.
How I Help
My Story
My journey began when I witnessed in companies--ones I cared deeply about--how some leaders could transform an organization, while others bring even promising companies to a standstill.For over 35 years, I've been obsessed with one question: Why do talented leaders and the companies they run so often fail to reach their potential? Inspired by people like Stephen Covey, I wanted to know and work on the root cause.The answer became clear through my work with CEOs and their senior teams: Even the most brilliant individuals can't drive exceptional results when they're operating on fumes.My ApproachI focus exclusively on helping leaders and their teams plug into their superpowers to create more value for all.My clients are CEOs who know their companies could achieve more - leaders who feel frustrated that their vision isn't being fully realized despite having talented individuals on their team.Through a proven three-step process, I help CEOs:Self Thriving: We move you from Fragmented to Coherent. You gain the Emotional Intelligence to manage triggers and lead with Wisdom, Presence, and Momentum.Senior Team Thriving: You help them Plug In. We transform your team from a scattered group of unplugged individuals into a unified force that shares the load and moves in lockstep.Company Thriving: Your organization shifts from Grinding to Flowing—wasting less time, executing with ease, and creating the highest value for all.The TransformationThe result? A cohesive, forward-thinking leadership team that steers confidently no matter what the world throws at them. And an entire company inspired to do the same.No more misalignment. No more exhaustion. No more grinding.Ready to Plug In?Book Your Leadership Fuel Review to pinpoint exactly where to start.
Thank You!
Thank you for the time to complete the surveys. That's everything from my end. If you have any questions, please contact me (see the email I sent you) or the recruiter or hiring manager you've been working with.In your corner,Michael--
Michael Ehling
strategic advisor & senior-team coach
balance coaching & consulting
Thank You!
Thank you for the time you spent to complete the survey(s). If you have any questions, please email, text, or call me.In your corner,MichaelPS: See the email I sent you for my contact details.
--
Michael Ehling
strategic advisor & leadership consultant
balance coaching & consulting
Thank You!
Thank you for completing your surveys, the first part of your Leadership Loop program.You will find copy of your report and a debriefing workbook in your inbox.Next steps:
Book a 1-1 debrief: select a convenient time here to review your report with me.
Please use the workbook to prepare for our 1-1 meeting.
In your corner,Michael--
Michael Ehling
strategic advisor & senior-team coach
balance coaching & consulting
Ready Team One
Prepare Your Senior Team to Grow and Thrive
You are growing your business. And the rewards will be huge. But it’s exhausting because there is already too much to do, distractions and threats abound, and it’s hard as heck to get people–especially your senior team–to do the right things. So level up your company to grow by leveling up your senior team.
I will help you build and deliver a Ready Team One transformation plan. You will get:
Suite of planning and coaching sessions with me to identify key issues and build a custom plan
Team surveys and interviews with senior team members to build trust and robustness of the plan
Detailed analysis and recommendations to anchor the plan; though custom to you, common recommendations include steps and tools for clarifying roles, improving alignment, building trust, using modern tools for leading your team, focusing on “hell yes” work and parking the rest, and replacing bad meetings and emails with super-effective senior team cadence
Facilitated off-site strategy session with your senior team to learn, build trust, refine the plan, and launch it
Follow-up coaching session to help you monitor and adjust
I'd be delighted to chat with you about your team and how you can prepare them to lead and thrive despite distractions, threats, and busyness. You can book a convenient time to chat using the button below.