The Compass Method

Navigating Disruption Without a Map

The Compass Method is a leadership framework designed for times of uncertainty, change, and complexity. Inspired by the ancient art of wayfinding, it helps leaders orient themselves and others — not by rigid plans or fixed maps, but through focus and forward momentum.

At the core of the Compass Method are three practices:

Awareness

Sensing what’s happening in yourself, your team, your organization, and the world

    • Practices self-regulation in challenging situations

    • Demonstrates emotional self-awareness

    • Uses verbal and nonverbal communication to reinforce key messages

    • Seeks feedback and adjusts behavior accordingly

    • Knows and owns their strengths and limitations

    • Makes sense of ambiguity and provides clear direction 

    • Delivers hard messages honestly and with care

    • Understands cultural, historical, and societal contexts

    • Connects the dots and is able to see patterns 

Alliance

Building trust, shared understanding, and meaningful collaboration

    • Builds trust through empathy, humility, and credibility

    • Provides clear, candid, and actionable feedback

    • Develops others through coaching and support

    • Recognizes the strengths and limitations of others and sets them up for success

    • Builds team trust to enable collaboration 

    • Manages team conflict

    • Builds alignment around strategic decisions

    • Builds and sustains the right team for the mission

    • Reinforces a culture of high performance and recognition

    • Builds partnerships and stakeholder alignment

    • Models inclusive leadership inside and outside of the team

Action

Moving forward with intention, even when the path isn’t clear

    • Takes initiative to address problems, even when they’re not at fault

    • Acknowledges their role in setbacks and learns from mistakes

    • Makes timely decisions despite uncertainty

    • Stays nimble and adaptable to changing conditions 

    • Drives results through proactive decision-making and initiative 

    • Acts on values and purpose despite fear

    • Delegates effectively and empowers others

    • Aligns time, people, and resources to move forward

    • Leads through change and plans for what’s next

    • Fosters experimentation and innovation

    • Turns disruption and uncertainty into action by inspiring others toward a better future

The Compass Method invites you to lead like a wayfinder — guided by inner clarity, responsive to your environment, and connected to others on the journey.

This method doesn't offer step-by-step instructions — instead, it offers something deeper: a compass. A tool to help you find your direction, realign when you get off-course, and lead with purpose in uncharted territory.

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No sales pitch, just a conversation. Whether you want a walkthrough of our programs or help solving a leadership challenge, I’ll make sure you leave with fresh ideas — and maybe a few new tools for your team.