Most leaders don't have a performance problem.They have a perception problem.

You've worked too hard to admit that something isn't working. But you know it isn't. The relationships feel harder than they should. The results aren't matching your effort. And the honest conversation you need to have — with your team, your boss, or yourself — keeps getting pushed to next week.

Here's what I've learned after 25 years of researching and coaching leaders across the military and corporate worlds. This isn't a performance problem. It's a perception problem. The higher you rise, the harder it becomes to see yourself clearly — and the less likely anyone around you is to help you do that. I call this the Altitude Effect. And it happens to the best leaders, not the struggling ones.

That's why I developed The Altitude Method. A coaching approach designed specifically for leaders who are good at what they do — but are ready to close the gap between the leader they believe they are and the leader their team experiences. It's not about working harder or adding more to your plate. It's about seeing clearly, letting go of what's quietly working against you, and rebuilding the kind of trust and influence that no title can manufacture.

This Fall — The Leadership Mastermind

This fall I'm opening a small group of leaders to work through The Altitude Method together in my Leadership Mastermind. It starts in September and is intentionally limited to 8 to 10 leaders — because the conversations that change everything require trust, and trust requires the right people in the room together.

The mastermind runs remotely with small group sessions complemented by private one on one coaching between meetings — so you get the power of peer perspective and the depth of personal coaching simultaneously. Your specific situation never gets lost in the group conversation.

If you've been privately wondering why the effort isn't matching the outcome. If your relationships at work feel harder than they should. If the job you really want hasn't materialized, or you've been handed a title without the pay, the team, or the freedom to lead — and you're not sure what to do with that. This was built for you.

Not for leaders who have it all figured out. For leaders who are honest enough to admit they don't — and brave enough to do something about it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is the Altitude Effect and how do I know if it's affecting me? The Altitude Effect is what happens to leaders as they rise — the higher you climb, the harder it becomes to see yourself clearly, and the fewer people around you will tell you the truth. If your relationships feel harder than they should, your team seems disengaged, or your effort isn't producing the results you expect, the Altitude Effect may already be at work.

What's the difference between a performance problem and a perception problem? A performance problem is about what you're doing — your skills, your output, your results. A perception problem is about how others experience you as a leader, which is often the real reason relationships break down, talent leaves, and promotions don't materialize.

How do I find out what my team can't tell me? Most leaders never find out because the higher you rise, the less honest feedback you receive — people tell you what they think you want to hear. The Altitude Method uses structured assessments, 360 feedback, and coaching conversations specifically designed to surface what your team experiences but can't say directly.

What does the Leadership Mastermind look like — what happens inside it? The Leadership Mastermind is a remote, intimate group of 8 to 10 carefully selected leaders who work through The Altitude Method together starting in September. Each small group session is complemented by private one on one coaching between meetings — so you get the power of peer perspective and the depth of personal coaching simultaneously. It's designed to give you both the mirror of a group and the privacy of individual work.

How is this different from other leadership coaching programs I've tried? Most leadership programs focus on adding new skills — The Altitude Method focuses on removing what's quietly working against you. Instead of more frameworks and strategies, you get clarity on your specific blind spots, the relationships that matter most, and the small behavioral shifts that produce the biggest leadership impact.

How do I know if I'm ready for this kind of work? If you're willing to be honest about what isn't working and brave enough to hear hard truths delivered with care, you're ready. This isn't for leaders who want validation — it's for leaders who want clarity.

How small is small — how many people are in the group? The mastermind is intentionally limited to 8 to 10 leaders — small enough that every voice matters, every situation gets attention, and genuine trust can develop over time. The addition of private coaching sessions between group meetings means your specific situation never gets lost in the group conversation.

I've been given a title without the pay or support — is that really something coaching can help with? Absolutely — and you're not alone right now. Many leaders are navigating exactly this situation, carrying more responsibility without the resources or recognition to match. The Altitude Method helps you get clear on what you want, what's within your control, and how to lead powerfully even inside a frustrating situation.

My company might not support this investment — what do I do? Many leaders invest in their own development privately because they understand that waiting for their company to fund their growth means waiting for permission to become the leader they're capable of being. Let's have a conversation about what's possible — there may be more options than you think.

I'm not sure what's wrong — I just know something isn't working. That feeling is the most common starting point for the leaders I work with — and it's enough. You don't need to have it diagnosed before we talk. Not knowing exactly what's wrong but knowing something needs to change is precisely what The Altitude Method was designed for.

What would a Breckenridge retreat look like — what would we do there? The Breckenridge retreat is being designed as an immersive Altitude Method experience — small group, intentional conversations, structured reflection, and genuine distance from the daily demands that make it hard to think clearly. Details are still being shaped for 2027, which is exactly why your input now matters.

Why both summer and winter — what's the difference in experience? Summer in Breckenridge brings clarity, open skies, and the kind of expansive thinking that comes with altitude and light. Winter brings stillness, reflection, and the kind of deep focus that a quieter, more contained environment creates. Both are powerful — just in different ways — which is why I'm exploring offering both and would love to know which calls to you.