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The Blog

A decade of insights from Sterling leaders, examiners, and role-model organizations — on leadership, performance excellence, and organizational maturity.

Lessons from Leading Two School Systems Through the Journey to Performance Excellence

Gonzalo La Cava, Ed.D., SHRM-SCP, Chief Human Resources Officer, Fulton County Schools

“If the people changed tomorrow, would the system still work?” That is the first question I ask leadership teams when we begin a conversation about organizational excellence. The room usually becomes…

August 5, 2026 · 5 min read

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June 30, 2026 · 1 min read

Six Weeks. Six Experts.

Dione Geiger, President, The Sterling Council

You don't have to travel across the state or clear your calendar for a week to level up your leadership. Starting July 22 , the Sterling Council is bringing world-class leadership development…

May 22, 2026 · 2 min read

A New Era of Leadership Begins Now

Dione Geiger, President, The Sterling Council

Next week, leaders from across Florida, Georgia, and beyond will gather at the 34th Sterling Leadership Conference at the JW Marriott Bonnet Creek in Orlando. While conferences often focus on trends…

May 1, 2026 · 1 min read

The Five Layers of Continuous Improvement

Randy Ledbetter, Founder & CEO, R Ledbetter & Associates

Most Organizations say they want a culture of continuous improvement. But they try to build it first. That’s the mistake. Culture isn’t the starting point. It’s the result. You don’t get a Continuous…

April 10, 2026 · 2 min read

Advanced Leadership Isn’t Optional. It’s Required.

Roland J. Martinez, Chairman, The Sterling Council

Leadership today is fundamentally different than it was even a few years ago. The pace is faster. Expectations are higher. The margin for error is smaller. Yet too many leaders are still relying on…

March 31, 2026 · 2 min read

A Systems Perspective in a Leadership System

The Sterling Council

Alaa A. El-Halwagy, Chairman, Sterling International A systems perspective in the context of a leadership system reframes leadership from an individual-centric activity to an interconnected, dynamic…

March 23, 2026 · 2 min read

When Accountability Is Unclear, Performance Always Follows

The Sterling Council

Roland J. Martinez, Board Chairman, The Sterling Council Accountability drives performance in any organization—only when it is integrated with other systems, not applied inconsistently. Within the…

March 17, 2026 · 2 min read

Silos Are Getting Worse, Not Better

Randy Ledbetter, Founder & CEO, R Ledbetter & Associates

March 17, 2026 Silos within an organization hinder innovation, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. A siloed structure causes different departments to work in isolation, leading to communication…

March 10, 2026 · 3 min read

Your Customers Are Getting Louder and Most Leaders Are Misreading Why

The Sterling Council

March 10, 2026 Dr. Raina Knox, DM, MBA, PMP, Co-Founder, President & CEO | Stratex Solutions LLC It often starts with a courteous email. The subject line is professional. The first sentence is…

March 3, 2026 · 2 min read

Engagement Efforts Aren’t Working

Monique Akanbi, SHRM Membership Initiatives Director

March 3, 2026 Across industries, leaders are investing more than ever in employee engagement. Pulse surveys. Recognition programs. Wellness initiatives. Leadership town halls. New communication…

February 27, 2026 · 1 min read

When Results Feel Short-Term and Fragile

Dione Geiger, President, The Sterling Council

February 27, 2026 Across industries, I’m hearing the same quiet concern among leaders. Revenue may be up. A major initiative may have succeeded. Engagement scores may have improved. Yet beneath those…

February 23, 2026 · 1 min read

Strategy Feels Theoretical

The Sterling Council

February 23, 2026 By Gregory J. Cowan, Director of Strategic Planning, Justice Administrative Commission When strategy is not connected to our daily activities, it can feel theoretical. In Sterling's…

February 16, 2026 · 1 min read

When Leaders Don’t Trust the Data

Gordon Klein, Founder & CEO, Reflect Excellence, LLC

February 16, 2026 Fortune 500 companies lose an estimated $31.5 billion a year due to failing to share knowledge across teams. Not because the data doesn’t exist — it does. There’s more of it than…

February 10, 2026 · 1 min read

Burnout Isn’t Personal — It’s Organizational

Bob Madeiros, CEO, Nature Coast Quality Associates, LLC

February 11, 2026 Across industries, leaders are watching a troubling pattern unfold. High performers are disengaging. Trusted team members are exhausted. Top talent is quietly walking out the door…

February 3, 2026 · 1 min read

Everything Feels Harder Than It Used to — And There Is a Better Way Forward

Debra Shultz, Sterling Chairman Emeritus, Sterling Conference Co-Chair

February 3, 2026 Leaders across every business sector are expressing the same reality: progress takes more effort, alignment takes longer, and results feel harder to sustain. This shared experience…

January 29, 2026 · 1 min read

Find a Room Where Everyone Doesn’t Look Like You

Juli Lewis, CUDE, CMPFinCap, CCUFC, CCUE, VP,VP of Community Engagement, USF Credit Union

January 29, 2026 After 35 years in the credit union industry, you might think I’ve seen every type of conference there is. And honestly? About 95% of the conferences I attend are very…

December 22, 2025 · 1 min read

The South Florida Summit: Thrive in the Wild - Lead Like Nature Intended

Roland J. Martinez, Board Chairman, The Sterling Council

December 22, 2025 Leadership today requires adaptability, resilience, and clarity, the qualities we see every day in nature itself. That’s why I’m inviting you to the 2026 Sterling South Florida…

September 1, 2025 · 1 min read

Sterling Leadership Fellows, Cohort Two on the Move

Phil Centonze, Director, Sterling Leadership Fellows, Managing Partner, POS-IMPACT LLC

September 30, 2025 The second cohort is well underway. This year’s participants have already had themed program sessions on systems perspective, visionary leadership, customer-focused excellence, and…

August 14, 2025 · 2 min read

Becoming a Sterling Examiner Is a Game-Changer for Your Leadership Journey

Dione Geiger, President, The Sterling Council

August 14, 2025 I’ve had the privilege of working alongside some of the most committed leaders in the Southeastern region—and many of them share one thing in common: they’ve served as Sterling…

July 9, 2025 · 1 min read

The Sterling Council Hosts the Summer Learning Series: Pathways to Performance

Dione Geiger, President, The Sterling Council

July 7, 2025 Join The Sterling Council for Pathways to Performance: Organizational Maturity in Action, a focused six-week online series designed to help leaders and organizations apply the principles…

May 16, 2025 · 1 min read

The Sterling Council Announces Five Regional Manufacturers Recognized for High Performance

The Sterling Council

May 12, 2025 By Phil Centonze, Director, Sterling Manufacturing Business Excellence Award, Managing Partner, POS-IMPACT LLC The Sterling Council announces five manufacturers have earned the 2025…

May 6, 2025 · 2 min read

Sterling Leadership Fellows – Apply by May 30, 2025

Phil Centonze, Director, Sterling Leadership Fellows, Managing Partner, POS-IMPACT LLC

May 6, 2025 Are you an aspiring leader eager to improve your management style and promote continuous organizational excellence? The Sterling Leadership Fellows program provides a unique opportunity…

April 4, 2025 · 1 min read

Showcase Your Team’s Success LIVE On Stage!

Bob Madeiros, Sterling Council Board Member, Team Showcase Chair

April 04, 2025 The Team Showcase Competition is the ultimate team recognition and competition where your team presents your improvement project live on stage in front of the 33rd Sterling Leadership…

March 14, 2025 · 2 min read

Sterling Leadership Fellows – An Exclusive Community of Aspiring Leaders

Phil Centonze, Director, Sterling Leadership Fellows, Managing Partner, POS-IMPACT LLC

March 9, 2026 Are you an aspiring leader eager to improve your management style and promote continuous organizational excellence? The Sterling Leadership Fellows program provides a unique opportunity…

February 10, 2025 · 1 min read

John A. Pieno, Jr. Leadership Award

Randy Ledbetter, Sterling Foundation Chairman

February 10, 2025 In January 2025, the Sterling Council Board of Directors approved the John A. Pieno, Jr. Leadership Award. Sponsored by the Sterling Foundation, this annual award will recognize one…