The Problem: Most leaders are stuck in the Reactive Leadership Cycle—caught between organizational challenges and team dysfunction, feeling stuck, frustrated, overworked, and overwhelmed.

​

The Solution: The Center-First Method teaches leaders to ground themselves first (in character, capacity, contribution, connection), then navigate change through five cyclical stages. Change is constant—you'll return to these stages repeatedly—but from a grounded, centered place.

​

The Outcome: Leaders who master this approach become Grounded Change Champions who lead at all three levels—themselves, their team, and their business—with calm, clarity, and confidence.

• CEO peer groups (Vistage, YPO, EO)

• Senior executive teams navigating organizational change

• Leadership development programs (VP to C-suite transitions)

• Industry conferences for healthcare, construction, professional services, and mid-market companies

• Professional associations for functional leaders (CFOs, COOs, CIOs, CNOs)

• Women in leadership organizations

​

Ideal audience: Senior leaders at companies with $5-50M in revenue, functional leaders managing large operations, or emerging executives preparing for C-suite roles.

"Carolyn worked with us for two years during a critical growth phase. She helped me work through leadership team conflicts that were holding us back, restructure our organization for growth, and build a plan for the future. Beyond coaching me individually, she became a trusted business advisor—the kind of outside perspective every CEO needs when you're in the weeds dealing with daily chaos. She helped me think more strategically about the business and make better decisions about people and organizational challenges."

— Sean Wardroup, President, Jordy Construction

​

"Working with Carolyn for 2.5 years transformed how I lead. She helped me develop my CNO leadership team, resolve executive conflicts, position nursing strategically across 5 hospitals, and build sustainable practices. Any executive dealing with team dysfunction or organizational growing pains needs her expertise."

— Chief Nursing Executive, Healthcare

​

"Before working with Carolyn, I lacked clarity on both my long-term career goals as well as how to be successful in my new position as a leader in my organization. Since working with Carolyn, I have defined what success looks like within my role and have developed communication tools to help me achieve both long- and short-term goals. My company was acquired during the time I worked with Carolyn and because of her support, I have a newfound confidence as I lead my team through the change and uncertainty that comes with this significant transformation."

— Jessica G, Director of Operations

Keynote (45-60 minutes) Full presentation with Q&A. Best for conferences, summits, and major leadership events.

​

Workshop (90 minutes - 3 hours) Interactive session including the Center-First Assessment, small group discussions, and practical application. Best for CEO peer groups and leadership development programs.

​

Executive Briefing (30 minutes) Condensed, high-impact version for executive teams or board meetings.

Carolyn Stein is Carolyn is a keynote speaker on leadership and change and an executive advisor who helps CEOs and senior executives navigate complex leadership challenges. Her Center-First Method has been applied by leaders at companies ranging from $20-50M, including a President of a $30M commercial construction company and a Chief Nursing Executive overseeing operations across five hospitals.

​

Before becoming an executive advisor, Carolyn spent 20+ years in marketing leadership, K-12 education, and corporate talent development where she first observed the universal pattern behind the Center-First Method: people get stuck when they operate outside their center.

I'd be happy to connect with you and learn more about your organization, audience, and needs. Please contact me for more information.

​