Most strategic plans look like extended budgets—but they lack one key ingredient: real choice.

In this insightful segment, Jay Holstine challenges CEOs to stop thinking like accountants and start leading like strategists. Drawing from Roger Martin’s Strategy Choice Cascade, Jay walks through five critical questions every CEO must answer to build a meaningful 2026 strategic plan—one that defines how you’ll win, not just what you’ll spend.

You’ll learn how to turn planning meetings into decision-making forums, identify your unique edge, and commit to bold choices that shape the future of your organization.

Key Takeaways:

The real difference between a plan and a strategy

How to apply the 5 questions from the Strategy Choice Cascade

Why great strategy is about saying no

Practical steps to align your leadership team before year-end

📌 For CEOs and executive teams ready to lead decisively in 2026.

📌 About Jay Holstine

📧 Learn more: jayholstine.com

In today’s hiring landscape, artificial intelligence is rewriting the rules. Jay Holstine unpacks a pressing challenge CEOs face: separating authentic talent from AI-enhanced resumes. With job postings now attracting hundreds of nearly flawless applications, leaders must look beyond polished paperwork to uncover real potential. Jay outlines five strategic adjustments that help CEOs refocus hiring around outcomes, real-time thinking, and human connection—including rewriting job descriptions, introducing early challenges, and re-training teams to detect depth over polish. If you're tired of surface-level resumes that don’t reflect true capability, this episode will help you build a hiring process designed for the AI era.

Jay Holstine hosts Eric Harris, CEO of GatherRound, for a high-impact discussion on how transformational communication drives leadership success. Drawing from a deep background in strategic messaging and organizational alignment, Eric outlines proven methodologies for building belief during periods of change, uniting fractured teams, and leading through crises. This conversation is a masterclass in communication with clarity, purpose, and influence—an essential listen for any leader looking to scale both trust and momentum across their organization. 

#LeadershipCommunication #CrisisLeadership #JayHolstine #TeamAlignment

Jay Holstine welcomes Clint O’Rear, President of Creative Sales Consulting, for a dynamic conversation on leadership evolution, strategic growth, and the value of peer accountability. Clint shares how his business bridges manufacturers with major retailers, and how joining a Vistage CEO peer group has sharpened his decision-making and expanded his leadership capacity. His passion for strategy, humility in learning, and commitment to business excellence make this an inspiring listen for growth-oriented leaders navigating change and scale. 

#VistageLeadership #ClintORear #StrategicGrowth #PeerAdvisory #JayHolstine

Jay Holstine speaks with Tom Currier, CEO of Maverick Power, to unpack the leadership mindset behind one of the fastest-growing companies in the Dallas–Fort Worth area. Recognized by both the Dallas Business Journal and SMU Cox for outstanding growth, Maverick Power's rise reflects a sharp focus on execution, culture, and strategic decision-making. Tom shares how participating in a CEO peer group has sharpened his leadership skills and provided valuable insight during key inflection points. This conversation offers an inside look at what it takes to lead through scale in a high-growth environment. 

#DFWBusiness #MaverickPower #TomCurrier #LeadershipStrategy #JayHolstine

Brodie Allen, founder of Evolve Surface Strategies, joins Jay Holstine to reflect on the power of structured, recurring one-to-one conversations in shaping both leadership and organizational clarity. With a team of nearly 200 professionals across the U.S. and Canada, Brodie shares how thoughtful engagement—through monthly coaching and CEO peer group insights—has helped him refine ideas, stay strategically aligned, and continue scaling his business with purpose. This discussion reveals how simple yet intentional conversations can become transformative tools for leaders navigating complexity and growth.

#LeadershipDevelopment #CEOInsights #EvolveStrategies #JayHolstine #ExecutiveCoaching

Jay Holstine sits down with Morne’ Smit to unpack the core drivers of an exceptional sales organization. Together, they explore five essential pillars for creating a high-performing sales culture: Preparation, Practice, Keeping Score, Dedicated Coaching, and a strong Playbook. Morne’ emphasizes the importance of tracking leading indicators—behaviors and habits that forecast success—and highlights why consistent practice off the field is critical to avoiding costly mistakes with real customers. This candid conversation is a must-listen for leaders aiming to professionalize their sales force and elevate performance at every level. 

#JayHolstine #SalesLeadership #SalesPlaybook #TeamPerformance #MorneSmit #JayHolstine

Jay Holstine sits down with Eric Kuefler to explore how business leaders can deepen the impact of their EOS implementation by integrating purpose-driven strategy. Eric contrasts the traditional EOS Vision/Traction Organizer (VTO) with Pinnacle’s Strategic Vision & Execution Plan (SVEP), revealing how Pinnacle’s tools empower teams to think more strategically, align with long-term vision, and make better choices. If you’re already using EOS and want to unlock greater clarity, alignment, and performance, this conversation will give you practical thinking tools to take your execution to the next level. 

#JayHolstine #EOS #StrategicExecution #PurposeDrivenLeadership #JayHolstine #PinnacleSVEP

In this value-packed conversation, strategic consultant Marc Emmer breaks down how specialization and smart segmentation unlock growth for companies seeking a competitive edge. He explains how businesses can avoid margin erosion by identifying underserved niches and focusing on high-value opportunities that large competitors often overlook. The discussion also explores the role of Artificial Intelligence in accelerating digital transformation and enhancing operational efficiency. Expect actionable takeaways for scaling with precision, improving profitability, and future-proofing your strategy in today’s dynamic market landscape.

#BusinessStrategy #AIinBusiness #MarketSegmentation #ScalingSuccess #JayHolstine