Focus on Growth - Sage Insights is a concise, power-packed podcast by Sage Partners. Tailored for leaders and aspiring leaders of companies ranging from burgeoning startups to the established, each episode offers actionable insights and advice to help you accelerate growth. Each episode is 15-20 minutes - designed to fit into the busy schedules of C-suite leaders and decision-makers. At the core of this series is the exploration of growth strategies and their impact on creating value for all stakeholders. Sage Partners brings their extensive experience and expertise to these conversations.
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June 2, 202628 min
Seeing Through the Fog: Our Progress Navigating The Fog of Change™ with Pete Hart
Over the past year, we have explored the reality that leaders face today:• Change is massive, rapid, and permanent.• Traditional strategic planning models no longer work.• Leaders need a Change Agenda to provide direction when certainty is impossible.But understanding the challenge is only the beginning.To lead successful change, leaders must:• Make the Case for "Why"—and "Why Now"• Assess whether the organization is truly ready for changeThese are heavy lifts. Without urgency and readiness, even the best strategies fail.To explore these critical leadership challenges, I am joined by Alex “Pete” Hart, former CEO and later Chair of Mastercard International and former Chair of Silicon Valley Bank. Drawing upon decades of leadership experience, Pete and I identify the next steps leaders must take to move our organizations forward.Because in the midst of the Chaos, we must continue to press forward—and help others see through the fog.Navigating The Fog of Change™ is presented by Sage Partners. This podcast is hosted by Tom Doorley and edited and produced by Rei Haycraft.To learn more about Sage Partners, visit: https://www.sagepartners.net/
May 18, 202615 min
Your Change Readiness Fitness Test with John Hansen | Navigating The Fog of Change™
To face off against the powerful forces of change pummeling us all, ask yourself this question: Do you have your enterprise ready for change? Really?If so, don’t waste your time on this podcast. But if not, and in our experience, most of you are not, then:You need this. Really!Sage Partner John Hansen and I describe the process you’ll need to ensure your enterprise can handle the stress 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.To learn more about Sage Partners, visit: https://www.sagepartners.net/
April 28, 2026Episode 3322 min
Realizing Value From Volatility with Barry Winer | Navigating The Fog of Change™
Most leaders hesitate in uncertainty. The winners act.For the third year, Barry Winer, Deloitte’s Head of M&A Research, joins me to explore how disruption in M&A is creating real opportunity—for those prepared to move.Drawing on Deloitte Consulting’s deep experience and Sage Partners’ perspective, we cut through the fog to show how leaders can identify, evaluate, and execute deals in uncertain times.The takeaway: Done wisely, M&A—across both large and small transactions—remains one of the most powerful engines of value-creating growth.In the Fog of Change™, winners don’t wait for clarity. They move before others do.To learn more about Barry and his work, visit:https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrywinerNavigating The Fog of Change™ is presented by Sage Partners. This podcast is hosted by Tom Doorley and edited and produced by Rei Haycraft.To connect with Tom, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomdoorleyhttps://www.sagepartners.net/thomas-doorleyTo learn more about Sage Partners, visit: https://www.sagepartners.net/
April 1, 2026Episode 3219 min
The Leader's Change Agenda with Larry Bennigson | Navigating The Fog of Change™
In times of massive, fast-moving change, leaders are expected to provide direction—but the old model of fixed plans no longer works.In the fog, certainty is elusive. What matters most is not just about being right—it’s more about being ready.In this episode, I’m joined by Sage Partner Larry Bennigson to explore how leaders can create a Change Agenda—a clear, adaptable framework that sets direction, builds alignment, and signals the need to learn and adjust in real time.This is how leaders steady their organizations when the path ahead is unclear.Watch now to learn how to lead when you can’t see the road ahead.Navigating The Fog of Change™ is presented by Sage Partners. This podcast is hosted by Tom Doorley and edited and produced by Rei Haycraft.To learn more about Sage Partners, visit: https://www.sagepartners.net/
March 4, 202613 min
The Leader's Playbook with Larry Bennigson, John Hansen, and Robert Kueppers | Navigating The Fog of Change™
After a year of exploring the turbulence reshaping our world — technological disruption, geopolitical instability, cultural shifts and economic uncertainty — we believe it’s time to move to action in new deliberative ways.In this pivotal episode of Navigating the Fog of Change™, I’m joined by three of my Sage Partners to introduce a practical approach for leading through chaos.Drawing on our decades of experience at the front lines of strategy, leadership, culture, and governance, we outline four essential initiatives to help leaders cut through confusion, align their organizations, and move forward with clarity and confidence.This episode sets the foundation.In the weeks ahead, we’ll take a series of deep dives into each initiative — translating insight into execution.If you’ve been asking, “What do we actually do now?” — this is where we begin.Thank you to our guests, Larry Bennigson, John Hansen, and Robert Kueppers. To learn more about them and connect, visit:Larry Bennigson https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrybennigson/John Hansen https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-l-hansen-200b5/Robert Kueppershttps://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-j-kueppers-1218a228/Navigating The Fog of Change™ is presented by Sage Partners. This podcast is hosted by Tom Doorley and edited and produced by Rei Haycraft.To learn more about Sage Partners, visit: https://www.sagepartners.net/
January 20, 202612 min
Navigating the Fog of Change™: Lessons from 2025 to Leadership in 2026
Navigating the Fog of Change™: Lessons from 2025 to Leadership in 2026We’re not lacking information—we’re overwhelmed by it.In this special episode of Focus on Growth: Navigating the Fog of Change™, Tom Doorley looks back on the most important insights from his 2025 conversations with CEOs, founders, board members, and change leaders—and asks a critical question:How do we lead effectively in 2026 when uncertainty isn’t going away?The fog of change—driven by AI, geopolitics, demographics, and media—is not temporary. It is massive, fast, and permanent. Traditional long-range planning no longer works.In this episode, Tom shares a practical leadership framework for this new reality, including:· Why strategy today is about being ready, not right· How to build a focused Leader’s Change Agenda· The importance of “lookouts” to sense danger and “scouts” to seek opportunity· Why trust and belief—not compliance—determine whether change succeeds· How boards and advisors can move from oversight to real insightThe takeaway is simple but powerful:We can’t eliminate uncertainty, but we can create the trust and clarity needed to decide, act, and adapt.If you lead an organization through constant change, this episode will help you navigate the fog—and make 2026 a year of progress, not paralysis.Thank you to all of our esteemed guests this past year, your insights and conversations were incredibly valuable. Seeing Through the Fog: Why Citizen Knowledge Matters with Jeff Jacoby Guest: Jeff Jacoby | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-jacoby-76616929From Oversight to Insight—or Irrelevance: The Board’s ChallengeGuest: Dave Rosenblum | https://www.linkedin.com/in/drosenblum1Guest: Bob Kueppers | https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-j-kueppers-1218a228A Conversation With A Change Master with Rick MaurerGuest: Rick Maurer | https://www.linkedin.com/in/rimaurerHow a Small Company Fights Its Dragons Guests: Tom and Monica Rogan | https://goodnowfarms.comMaking AI Work with John DonovanGuest: John Donovan | https://www.linkedin.com/in/johndonovanattCascading The Message To The Front Lines with George YoungGuest: George Young | https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgehyoungThe Board As Your Compass with Dr. Peter CrowGuest: Dr. Peter Crow | www.petercrow.comThe Founder's Shift From Builder To Leader with Don PlumleyGuest: Don Plumley | https://www.linkedin.com/in/dplumleyLeadership Is Personal with Jennifer BarronGuest: Jennifer Barron | Executive Coach and Advisorhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferjbarron/ A Call For Leadership with Cordell BennigsonGuest: Cordell Bennigson | https://www.linkedin.com/in/cordellbennigsonNavigating The Fog of Change: Massive, Fast, Forever—Now What?Hosted by Tom Doorley | https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomdoorleyLeadership, Growth, & Building Great Teams — with Kate Morgan Guest: Kate Morgan | https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-morgan-62793576Navigating M&A: Time To Pivot — with Barry WinerGuest: Barry Winer | https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrywinerGambling On Innovation — with Darrell VelegolGuest: Darrell Velegol | https://www.knowlecular.comNavigating Your Strategy Roadblocks — with Gregg MakuchGuest: Gregg Makuch | https://www.linkedin.com/in/greggmakuchEmpowering a High-Performance Sales Team — with Doug C. BrownGuest: Doug C. Brown | https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougbrown123Assembling Tomorrow: Navigating The Fog of Change with Scott Doorley and Carissa CarterGuest: Scott Doorley | https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottdoorleyGuest: Carissa Carter | https://www.linkedin.com/in/carissalcarterSpirit of America: Entrepreneurship With Purpose with Jim HakeGuest: Jim Hake | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-hake-50297435Navigating The Fog of Change™ is presented by Sage Partners. This podcast is hosted by Tom Doorley and edited and produced by Rei Haycraft.To learn more about Sage Partners, visit: https://www.sagepartners.net
December 16, 202535 min
Seeing Through the Fog: Why Citizen Knowledge Matters w/ Jeff Jacoby | Navigating The Fog of Change
Seeing Through the Fog: Why Citizen Knowledge Matters“In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened.”— George WashingtonIn this episode of Navigating the Fog of Change™, I’m joined by Jeff Jacoby, veteran columnist for The Boston Globe and author of the influential Arguable column. Together we dive into a core challenge facing American democracy today: citizens who vote, speak, and form opinions without truly knowing the facts.Jeff and I explore why an informed citizenry is not just a civic virtue — it’s a survival skill in times of massive, fast, and continuous change. In an era when social media, sound bites, and partisan messaging drown out nuance, the responsibility to dig deeper falls squarely on all of us.We discuss how political narratives can mislead even well-intentioned voters. One striking case: during the 1992 presidential election, strategist James Carville framed the race around a single line — “It’s the economy, stupid!”A brilliant and winning slogan. But wrong.The recession was over. The economy had already begun to rebound.When messaging eclipses reality, citizens make poor decisions — and democracy pays the price.In this conversation, we examine:· Why popular media often oversimplifies complex truths· How voters can discipline themselves to look beyond headlines· The danger of letting emotion replace evidence· Practical steps for becoming the “enlightened public opinion” Washington saw as essentialIf leadership is the light that cuts through the Fog of Change™, then informed citizens are the fuel that keeps that light burning.To get Jeff's Globe columns by email, sign up here: https://jeffjacoby.com/list_subscribe.phpTo subscribe to the Arguable newsletter, go here: https://bit.ly/ArguableNewsletterTo email Jeff directly, the address is jeff.jacoby@globe.comNavigating The Fog of Change™ is presented by Sage Partners. This podcast is hosted by Tom Doorley and edited and produced by Rei Haycraft.To learn more about Sage Partners, visit: https://www.sagepartners.net/
November 18, 202526 min
From Oversight to Insight—or Irrelevance: The Board’s Challenge with Dave Rosenblum and Bob Kueppers | Navigating the Fog of Change™
From Oversight to Insight—or Irrelevance: The Board’s Challenge | Navigating the Fog of Change™When the fog of change thickens—technology upheaval, geopolitical shocks, shifting expectations—the easy temptation is for boards to retreat into oversight. But that’s not enough; not anymore.In this episode of Focus on Growth, Tom Doorley of Sage Partners is joined by governance experts Bob Kueppers (former leader of Deloitte’s Director Series and Sage Partner) and Dave Rosenblum (public company director at Hanmi Bank and Sage Partner) to explore what separates boards that merely watch from those that have impact.They discuss:How boards can become true partners to management in setting a Leader’s Change Agenda.The twin roles every board must balance: Lookouts who spot risk and Scouts who find opportunity.What to do when a “fair-weather CEO” faces storm conditions.Why “noses in, fingers out” isn’t enough in a world of perpetual disruption.How boards and management can build the trust and collaboration needed to see—and act—through the fog.The message is clear: In times of massive, fast, and forever change, boards that only oversee risk irrelevance. The best ones turn oversight into insight—and into impact.
November 4, 202523 min
A Conversation With A Change Master: Rick Maurer | Navigating The Fog of Change™
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.comNavigating The Fog of Change™ is presented by Sage Partners. This podcast is hosted by Tom Doorley and edited and produced by Rei Haycraft.
October 21, 202525 min
How a Small Company Fights Its Dragons
Navigating the Fog of Change™: How a Small Company Fights Its DragonsIn 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.
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