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STRATEGIC PLANNING, LEADERSHIP, AND MANAGEMENT
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CENTER
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Peter GIlliam, MD
"Dorian helped me to get clarity on what I valued and develop
Being a great leader doesn't just happen; it takes planning and effort. Top business leaders know that for their organization to be successful, they have to build a strong organizational culture and invest in developing talent.
“The Executive Leadership Series exists to inspire business leaders and build community,” explained Regent University Chancellor Gordon Robertson. “Through these distinctive events, we seek to provide a gathering place where Hampton Roads’ most respected leaders gain world-class insights from leading experts, combined with exclusive networking opportunities.”
ICF Virginia is a sponsor of the Executive Leadership Series because it is “an investment in leadership development for Hampton Roads, to empower networking, as well as to create more awareness of the value of coaching to grow leaders, which our membership provides.” Says Suzanne Currier, PCC president of ICF Virginia.
During lunch, a leadership panel of top Hampton Roads business leaders shared insights and lessons on leading a successful organization. The panel included Robert Aston Jr. (CEO, TowneBank), Michael Creedon, Jr. (CEO, Dollar Tree), Dennis Matheis (CEO, Sentara), Edith White (CEO. Hampton Roads Community Action Program), and Gordon Robertson (CEO, Christian Broadcast Network). Hon. Robert MacDonald facilitated the panel.
We've broken down what we learned at this event into actionable tactics leaders can implement immediately to drive higher levels of employee engagement, trust, and business growth.
1. Trust and Being Real Are Key
Great team performance is built on strong trust. If people don't trust the leadership, plans fall apart and teamwork stops.
It Starts with Trust (Robert Aston Jr.): The most important job of a leader is to build trust. This means you must be reliable, reachable, and responsible (Edith White).
Being Real (Authentic) is Crucial (Michael Creedon): Leaders must first know their values and then always act based on those values. When you are authentic, people know what to expect, and trust is easy to build.
2. Lead by Serving Your Team
Exceptional leadership means changing your mindset: stop just managing tasks and start serving the people who do the work.
You Work for Your Employees (Dennis Matheis): A leader’s job is to remove problems and provide tools so the team can do their jobs well. As a leader, you are there to support the people who work for the customer.
Invest in Careers, Not Just Jobs (Michael Creedon): True leadership helps team members achieve their life goals (Robert Aston Jr.). This strong commitment builds loyalty and helps retain great people, thereby directly improving team culture.
3. Plan the Future and Learn from Mistakes
One of a leader's jobs is to envision the company's future. This takes focused time and a thoughtful approach to risk.
Vision Needs Planning Time (Gordon Robertson): A leader’s time should be spent thinking about the future, not managing today’s problems. You must make time just for strategic thought and planning.
Make it Okay to Fail (Gordon Robertson): Leaders must create a place where it is safe to fail and mistakes are treated as opportunities to learn.This means leadership needs to take risks and learn quickly (Dennis Matheis).
4. Invest in Growth and Fun Surprises
To create a loyal, high-performing team, you need to invest in your people’s growth and well-being every day.
The Power of the Unexpected (Robert Aston Jr.): What special things are you doing for your team that they don't expect? These thoughtful gestures build deep loyalty.
Provide Practical Help and Chances to Grow (Edith White): Leadership is teaching. It is the job of current leaders to provide both practical advice and formal leadership training to people just starting.
Coaching: A Path to Your Leadership Style
Having a winning culture starts with a clear, authentic way of leading. These local Virginia leaders provided practical guidance to help leaders evolve, learn, and grow. If you are an executive or emerging leader who is looking to craft your own leadership style, consider working with an ICF coach. The ICF credentialed coaches pledge to abide by a code of ethics, have undergone extensive training and mentorship, and are here to help you tap into your potential. Learn more by visiting our website.
Nearly every teacher, coach, therapist, consultant, and boss emphasizes the importance of setting goals. Goal setting is preached because it is effective.Research shows that setting goals can improve performance, focus, motivation, self-determination, collaboration and well-being. Despite over 70 years of research on the efficacy of goal setting, nearly everyone you know has goals that they are not reaching.
This is not because they lack goals. Everyone has goals. One of the primary reasons people struggle to achieve their goals is that they lack proficiency in the goal-setting process. Throughout this article, I will review the SMART goal-setting process and offer suggestions on how to utilize it more effectively to achieve your professional and business objectives.
The SMART goals setting process was introduced to the world in 1981 by Dr. George Doran. He was a consultant and former director of corporate planning for Washington Water Power Company, and published a paper called “There’s a SMART way to Write Management’s Goals and Objectives. In his paper, he proposed that taking the time to define your goals in a specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound manner could increase goal achievement. Over the years, colleges, universities, and corporate trainers have taught SMART as a goal-setting process.
Learn more about SMART Goals.
Why are SMART goals effective?
The SMART goal process is effective when used correctly because it encourages individuals to slow down, think critically, and establish realistic goals and plans for achieving their objectives. People commonly fail to achieve their goals because their goals are unclear, they lack a way to measure progress, the steps required to achieve their goals are undefined, they fail to connect with the goal on an emotional level, or they do not have a clear timeline for completing their goals. The SMART goal-setting process requires you to identify and map out all common obstacles to achieving your goals, and then design a strategy for navigating those challenges.
Try this job aid for setting SMART Goals.
What to do when you are not achieving your goals.
The Co-Active Coaching model teaches that achieving your goals requires a combination of doing and being. Doing is all about defining the actions that you plan to take. Being is all about how you will show up when completing those tasks. For example, I frequently work with business owners who aim to increase social media engagement. They set specific goals, establish measurable targets, design action steps, connect with the purpose of being on social media, and develop time-bound objectives, yet still do not achieve their desired outcome. Typically, when we explore why they are not successful, we uncover that they both lack the necessary skills and mindset to achieve their goals. The problem is not the goal-setting process. The problem is that they lack a clear understanding of who they are and what it takes to be successful. The solution is acquiring the skills and mindset you need to be successful.
The path forward
Understanding your constraints is the first step in overcoming the obstacles that are preventing you from achieving your goals. We all have weaknesses and shortcomings. Some of those weaknesses and shortcomings are due to a lack of knowledge, skill, and experience. Others are linked to our personality and preferences. Getting in touch with who you are can help you pursue the right goals and design effective strategies to help you thrive. Within the business world, companies use a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) to understand their current situation better, enabling them to select objectives and goals that align with their capabilities and the world around them. SWOT analysis can also be completed at the personal level, providing the same benefits of clarifying what your objectives and goals should be.
Research and commit to action
Goal setting is very similar to roadmapping. When you go on a road trip, you know where you are. You type into the GPS where you want to go, pick a route, and head out to your destination. Sometimes you stay on the path that is laid out for you. Sometimes you get redirected, but if you follow the instructions provided by the GPS, you will eventually end up at your destination. In a perfect world, there would be a GPS for achieving your professional goals. You could type in information about yourself, state your goal, and a path would be given to you. One day, AI may improve to the point of providing reliable growth paths, but for now, we need to chart our own path, much like our parents once had to read a paper map when they wanted to go on a road trip. The good news is that there are people who have achieved the goals that you have, and if you do research, you can replicate the success of others, provided that you are willing to make similar tradeoffs and sacrifices.
Seek help when change is hard.
Our biggest limitation as humans is that we can only see the world from our own perspective. We live our lives, forming beliefs and assumptions about who we are and the world around us. Those beliefs and assumptions serve who we are now, but can be obstacles in our becoming who we desire to be. An example of this is a person who has had a heart attack, but continues to eat an unhealthy diet. Despite their desire to live, their beliefs and assumptions influence their habits, and their habits keep them stuck doing the behaviors that cause them cardiac disease in the first place. In this situation, the problem is not a lack of goals, but a lack of SMART goals. The antidote for limited perspective is knowledge. Knowledge can be found in many ways. It can be found through books, movies, podcasts, articles, workshops, seminars, or working with an expert. If you feel stuck and are unsure why you are not making the progress you desire, seek knowledge and be willing to solicit help in achieving your goal.
About Your Path Coaching and Consulting
Ready to take your leadership or organization to the next level? Your Path Coaching and Consulting empowers individuals and organizations to reach their full potential through personalized coaching and consulting services. We specialize in Executive Coaching for leadership development, team building, and communication skills, as well as Business Consulting for strategic planning and organizational development. Our mission is to inspire and empower you to create positive change and achieve sustainable success.
Connect with us: Schedule afree consultation today to discuss your goals, or visit our website to learn more about our holistic approach to personal and professional achievement. Follow us on LinkedIn for insights and updates.
SMART Goals Frequently Asked Questions
What are SMART goals, and why do they matter in business?
SMART goals are:
Specific: Clearly defined and focused.
Measurable: Quantifiable to track progress.
Achievable: Realistic given resources and constraints.
Relevant: Aligned with broader business or personal objectives.
Time-bound: Set within a defined timeframe.
They matter because they transform vague intentions into actionable strategies, improving performance, motivation, and accountability.
Why do professionals often fail to achieve their goals—even when they use SMART?
Common pitfalls include:
Lack of emotional connection to the goal.
Undefined action steps or unclear measurement criteria.
Misalignment between the goal and personal strengths or values.
Absence of the right mindset or skills to execute effectively.
How can I make my SMART goals more effective?
Pair goal-setting with self-awareness: Use tools like SWOT analysis to assess your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
Clarify both the “doing” (actions) and the “being” (mindset) required to succeed.
Connect goals to a deeper purpose to sustain motivation.
Break goals into micro-steps with checkpoints for reflection and adjustment.
What should I do if I’m not achieving my SMART goals?
Revisit the relevance and achievability of your goal.
Assess whether you’ve developed the necessary skills and mindset.
Seek feedback or coaching to uncover blind spots.
Utilize the Co-Active Coaching model to strike a balance between execution and personal growth.
How can I utilize a SWOT analysis to enhance my SMART goals?
Conduct a personal SWOT to:
Align goals with your strengths.
Anticipate and mitigate weaknesses.
Leverage external opportunities.
Prepare for potential threats or constraints.
This ensures your goals are not just SMART—but also strategic and self-aware.
When should I seek help with goal-setting?
If you feel stuck, lack clarity, or repeatedly fall short of your objectives, it’s time to:
Consult a coach or mentor.
Join a workshop or mastermind group.
Explore educational resources, such as podcasts, articles, or seminars.
Sometimes, the missing piece is perspective—and that’s where outside support can be transformative.
I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Feel free to email executive coach Dorian Cunion at dcunion@yourpathexecutivesolutions.com. If you are interested in seeing additional content related to leadership and business, follow me on
If you've recently been promoted to a management role, you might feel like you're caught in the middle. You're no longer just an individual contributor, but you're not yet at the top. You're the crucial link between senior leadership and your team—a position that coach Laura Lily Goodridge calls the "sandwich layer." Being a middle manager can be challenging, especially when you are trying to find your path to success.
Coaching Gold
Find Your Path to Being a Leader
In a recent episode of the Coaching Gold podcast, hosts Dorian Cunion and Dr. Rudy Jackson sit down with executive coach Laura Goodridge to unpack the unique challenges and opportunities of middle management. The conversation reveals why this "sandwich layer" is responsible for an incredible90% of a company's output, yet often gets the least amount of support.
This is precisely why your personal and professional development is so critical right now.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
The #1 problem hurting teamwork (and it’s not what you think). Hint: It’s the top reason people seek coaching.
The powerful difference between influence and manipulation, and how to build trust with your team.
A simple framework to help you communicate more effectively and get your message across every time.
Why self-reflection is your most valuable leadership tool and how to use it to identify your strengths and weaknesses.
Laura, Dorian, and Rudy get right to the heart of what it takes to succeed in a leadership role, offering practical advice and actionable takeaways that will surely benefit readers. They don't just discuss leadership theory; they provide real-world tools that you can use to start creating a better team culture and a more effective work environment right away.
This conversation is a must-watch for any new or aspiring manager who wants to build confidence, gain clarity, and unlock their full potential.
Don’t just manage your team—empower them.
Watch the full episode now on YouTube, or listen on Spotify.
