When change feels constant and chaotic, how do leaders find clarity?In this episode of Navigating the Fog of Change™, Tom Doorley talks with Rick Maurer, a true master of change, about how to move people from resistance to commitment—and lead with trust, clarity, and courage when the world won’t stop changing.
To learn more about Rick and his work, visit: https://rickmaurer.com
Navigating The Fog of Change™ is presented by Sage Partners. This podcast is hosted by Tom Doorley and edited and produced by Rei Haycraft.
Navigating the Fog of Change™: How a Small Company Fights Its Dragons
In this episode of Focus on Growth, I speak with Tom and Monica Rogan, founders of Goodnow Farms Chocolate, about the realities of leading a small business through today’s fog of change — where uncertainty, volatility, and disruption test every assumption.
From Hollywood and real estate to handcrafting award-winning chocolate on their Massachusetts farm, the Rogans share how their “brand mindset” drives quality, transparency, and purpose — from bean to bar. Their story is one of resilience and relationships: direct ties with cacao farmers, constant adaptation to climate and supply shocks, and a deep commitment to craft and community.
We explore how a small company can face “dragons” like climate change, tariffs, and economic instability — not with scale or capital, but with clarity of purpose, flexibility, and courage. Their journey offers lessons for every leader navigating uncertainty:
Build a brand from the inside out.
Invest in trusted relationships that endure disruption.
Stay flexible — move forward in small, deliberate steps.
Keep the mission alive, even when the path ahead is unclear.
As Monica says, “We’re food, not candy.” And that distinction — of meaning, integrity, and intent — is what defines lasting brands in the fog of change.To learn more about Goodnow Farms Chocolate and to try some for yourself, visit: https://goodnowfarms.comNavigating The Fog of Change™ is presented by Sage Partners. This podcast is hosted by Tom Doorley and edited and produced by Rei Haycraft.
In this episode of Navigating the Fog of Change, I’m joined by John Donovan — former CEO of AT&T, investor in AI and technology firms, and now a board member of U.S. Steel. We explore how AI has evolved over the past year, the hype versus the reality, and why leaders must move beyond “doing the same with less” to finding new opportunities for growth. John shares insights on the critical role of CEOs in owning AI strategy, process transformation, , and the responsibility leaders have to reskill workforces and shape society through massive change.
Navigating The Fog of Change™ is presented by Sage Partners. This podcast is hosted by Tom Doorley and edited and produced by Rei Haycraft.
How do leaders cut through the fog of digital transformation?
In this episode of Navigating The Fog of Change™, George Young of Rockwell Automation and I explore why proof of value matters more than proof of concept, how to cascade change from the C-suite to the shop floor, and a truly Big Idea: what it will take to reskill people in an AI-driven world. Practical insights, real examples, and a positive outlook on the future of work.
Navigating The Fog of Change™ is presented by Sage Partners. This podcast is hosted by Tom Doorley and edited and produced by Rei Haycraft.
In this episode of Navigating The Fog of Change™, Tom Doorley of Sage Partners is joined by global governance expert Dr. Peter Crow for a compelling conversation about the board's role in times of rapid and disruptive change.Together, they explore:• How boards can help leadership shape the narrative during uncertainty, to create the Leader’s Change Agenda• The importance of establishing a clear North Star and a flexible change agenda• Why boards must balance risk protection and opportunity seeking• The concept of board members as Lookouts and Scouts — identifying danger and opportunity alike• Why only a small percentage of boards are truly “change-ready” — and how to join the 5% ClubWhether you're a board director, CEO, or emerging leader, this episode offers valuable insights into how governance can steer organizations through the fog — toward clarity, resilience, and growth.Guest: Dr. Peter Crow – Global governance advisor | www.petercrow.comHosted by Tom Doorley, Sage Partners | www.sagepartners.netEdited and produced by Rei Haycraft#Governance #Leadership #Boards #ChangeManagement #Strategy #Opportunity
In this episode of Navigating the Fog of Change, I’m joined by Don Plumley, our COO at Sage Partners and leader of our Venture Practice. We explore one of the most critical—and challenging—transitions in the life of a growing company: the founder’s shift from hands-on builder to strategic leader. Don shares insights from years of guiding young companies through this evolution, highlighting the mindset, structures, and team dynamics that make or break the transition. If you’re leading a growth-stage business—or advising one—you won’t want to miss this conversation.Navigating The Fog of Change™ is presented by Sage Partners. This podcast is hosted by Tom Doorley and edited and produced by Rei Haycraft.
You can learn more about Don and his work at https://www.sagepartners.net/donald-plumley
Leadership Is Personal with Jennifer BarronNavigating The Fog of Change | Episode 3In this episode of Focus on Growth, Tom Doorley is joined by leadership coach Jennifer Barron to explore how leaders can guide their teams—and themselves—through today’s uncertainty.
They discuss how to:
Practical, personal, and powerful—this episode helps you lead with clarity through the fog of change.Navigating The Fog of Change™ is presented by Sage Partners. This podcast is hosted by Tom Doorley and edited and produced by Rei Haycraft.
#FogOfChange #Leadership #FocusOnGrowth #ChangeManagement #MentalFitness
A Call For Leadership with Cordell BennigsonNavigating The Fog of Change | Episode 2
Massive disruption. Relentless change. Confusion at every turn. In this urgent episode of Focus on Growth, Sage Partners’ Tom Doorley and leadership expert Cordell Bennigson tackle how leaders can stay clear-headed—and drive results—when everything is in flux.
Learn the 5 essential leadership moves that cut through the fog and turn uncertainty into momentum.
Navigating The Fog of Change™ is presented by Sage Partners. This podcast is hosted by Tom Doorley and edited and produced by Rei Haycraft.
#Leadership #ChangeManagement #CrisisLeadership #FogOfChange #FocusOnGrowth #AI #Geopolitics #Strategy #Empowerment #EchelonFront
Navigating The Fog of Change: Massive, Fast, Forever—Now What?Episode 1 | A New Series from Sage PartnersWelcome to Navigating the Fog of Change—a new podcast series from Sage Partners designed for enterprise leaders facing a world that’s shifting faster and deeper than ever before. In this kickoff episode, host Tomm Doorley lays the foundation for the series, unpacking the forces behind today’s relentless disruption—technological, geopolitical, social media—and why business as usual won’t cut it.The call to action? Leaders must take control with clarity and intent. That starts with the Leader’s Change Agenda—a focused process to align your organization on what matters most in the fog: priorities, actions, and values that will guide real progress.This isn’t just change. It’s massive. It’s fast. It’s forever. Are you ready to lead through it?#FogOfChange #Leadership #Strategy #EnterpriseGrowth #ChangeAgenda #CrisisToClarity #PodcastSeries #SageInsightsNavigating The Fog of Change™ is presented by Sage Partners. This podcast is hosted by Tom Doorley and edited and produced by Rei Haycraft.
In this episode of Focus on Growth, Tom Doorley talks with Kate Morgan, COO of Magid, a digital consumer marketing firm, about her leadership journey—from rugby consulting to hedge funds to tech startups. Kate shares how embracing discomfort, staying curious, and leading with authenticity have shaped her success. She reveals what she looks for when building high-performance teams—and why kindness matters.
This is a must for anyone navigating change and growth.
To learn more about Kate and her work, visit:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-morgan-62793576/
Focus On Growth: Sage Advice is hosted by Tom Doorley and edited and produced by Rei Haycraft.
To learn more about Sage Partners, visit: https://www.sagepartners.net
In this episode of Focus on Growth, Tom Doorley welcomes Barry Winer, head of M&A research at Deloitte, to discuss the evolving landscape of mergers and acquisitions.
Drawing on Deloitte’s “Time to Pivot” survey, they explore how dealmakers are shifting from reactive to proactive strategies—adapting with strategic, financial, and geographic pivots.
They also highlight integration planning as a learned competency and the emerging collaboration between private equity and corporations. Despite uncertainty, the message is clear: opportunity exists for those prepared to act decisively.
To learn more about Barry and his work, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrywiner
Focus On Growth: Sage Advice is hosted by Tom Doorley and edited and produced by Rei Haycraft.
To learn more about Sage Partners, visit: https://www.sagepartners.net
#deloitte #mergersandacquisitions #businessstrategy
Strategic Roadblocks—How Leaders Respond
When your strategy hits a roadblock, and it is likely to do so, what comes next? In this episode of Focus on Growth, Tom Doorley talks with Gregg Makuch of Sound Thinking about navigating political and reputational threats. Their smart, layered response—including customer advocacy—offers a masterclass in defending mission-critical innovations while reinforcing trust and accelerating growth. This is a powerful story. It works for any roadblock you will face.
To learn more about Gregg and SoundThinking, visit:
https://www.soundthinking.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/greggmakuch/
Focus On Growth: Sage Advice is hosted by Tom Doorley and edited and produced by Rei Haycraft.
To learn more about Sage Partners, visit: https://www.sagepartners.net/
Growth is the superior value-creating strategy—and it starts with innovation. Join me and Professor and entrepreneur Darrell Velegol as we explore how to build a repeatable, robust innovation process. Innovation is a gamble. Here’s how to stack the odds in your favor.
To learn more about Darrell and his work, visit
https://www.che.psu.edu/department/directory-detail-g.aspx?q=DXV9
Focus On Growth: Sage Advice is hosted by Tom Doorley and edited and produced by Rei Haycraft.
To learn more about Sage Partners, visit: https://www.sagepartners.net/
In this episode of Focus on Growth, host Tom Doorley of Sage Partners is joined by sales strategist Doug C. Brown to explore how fast-growing companies can go beyond founder-led selling to build scalable, high-performance sales teams. Doug shares hard-won insights from helping clients generate over $1 billion in revenue, offering a clear framework for identifying top sales talent, empowering them with the right leadership approach.
Focus On Growth: Sage Advice is hosted by Tom Doorley and edited and produced by Rei Haycraft.
To learn more about Sage Partners, visit: https://www.sagepartners.net/
How can the private sector strengthen America’s global impact? 🇺🇸
In this episode of Focus on Growth, Jim Hake, founder of Spirit of America, shares how his nonprofit fills critical gaps in U.S. diplomatic and military missions worldwide. Entrepreneurship, innovation, and national security—this is a conversation you don’t want to miss! 🎧
Focus On Growth: Sage Advice is hosted by Tom Doorley and edited and produced by Rei Haycraft.
To learn more about Sage Partners, visit: https://www.sagepartners.net/
We live in an age of accelerating, disruptive change. GenAI, Synthetic Biology and Quantum Computing are reshaping our world faster than our institutions can adapt. Assembling Tomorrow is an important new book that helps us move beyond confusion and toward action.
Scott Doorley and Carissa Carter, who teach this methodology at Stanford University's d.school, join me in a conversation about their belief that "We can fix it; IF we fix it." Join the conversation.
Focus On Growth: Sage Advice is hosted by Tom Doorley and edited and produced by Rei Haycraft.
To learn more about Sage Partners, visit: https://www.sagepartners.net/
Join Tom Doorley of Sage Partners as he reflects on an exciting first year of Focus on Growth. In 2024, the podcast tackled a range of compelling topics, from navigating mergers and acquisitions to the transformative role of AI in business, the essence of leadership, and the intricacies of customer strategy. Featuring thought leaders like John Donovan on AI, Cordell Benningson on leadership, and David Spigner on delivering exceptional customer experiences, these conversations offered actionable insights and practical frameworks for success. Whether exploring how worldviews shape solutions or diving into immersive reality gaming, this year's episodes were all about helping companies and leaders grow. Tune in to discover highlights from 2024 and get a sneak peek at what’s coming in 2025.
Join Sage Partners' host Tom Doorley as he explores the powerful framework created by Penn State professors John Iceland and Eric Silver, designed to bridge societal divides. Through dynamic discussions on inequality, immigration, and leadership, discover how understanding differing worldviews ca
In this episode of "Focus on Growth," Tom Doorley from Sage Partners speaks with Dr. Denise Brown about redefining leadership and work-life expectations for today's professionals. Denise shares insights from her career transition from medicine to strategy consulting, emphasizing the value of active listening, adaptability, and authentic leadership. She critiques the concept of "work-life balance," advocating instead for a holistic approach to life where all aspects are integrated. Denise also discusses the importance of setting boundaries, learning to say no, and seeking support from one's team.
Reflecting on her own experiences as a young physician and mother, Denise underscores the role of clarity and resilience in managing life's demands. She also previews her upcoming book, "Should I Freeze My Eggs? A Big Sister's Guide to Working Womanhood," which provides actionable guidance for young professional women on navigating career, personal life, and self-fulfillment.
In this episode of "Focus on Growth," host Thomas Doorley of Sage Partners sits down with David Spigner, the visionary behind Boda Borg, a one-of-a-kind immersive "reality gaming" experience. David reveals how strategic insights drive the consistent thrill that keeps Boda Borg's guests coming back for more. The discussion covers David's journey from discovering Boda Borg to refining its unique offering, focusing on customer engagement and operational excellence. Learn how Boda Borg’s strategic playbook turns real-world quests into unforgettable adventures, offering guests a chance to escape reality while keeping the experience fresh, engaging, and human. Tune in to hear how "Strategy in Action" keeps Boda Borg at the forefront of immersive entertainment.