ghSMART

One of the things that makes ghSMART special is our colleagues’ willingness to challenge themselves and each other as they continue to grow. Last week in Nashville, our advisors came together for conversations that were thoughtful, practical, and rooted in the realities of our work. Across sessions, workshops, and time spent catching up with colleagues, people shared perspectives, tested ideas, and reflected on how we continue to evolve in service of our clients. The Summit reflected what already exists across our firm every day. A deep investment in our craft, in each other, and in growing together over time. That’s what brings 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂 to life. Grateful to everyone who contributed their time, energy, and perspective to make it meaningful. #ghSMART #LeadershipAdvisory #ThePowerOfYou

ghSMART's Power Score® methodology measures team effectiveness and uncovers the root causes and the key levers to improve it. We calculate Priorities, Who, and Relationships (P × W × R) to inform how we onboard, coach, and develop leaders to accelerate their impact and drive observable change. More than ten years after publication, the research still holds: leaders operating at full PWR are 2x more likely than average, and 20x more likely than bottom-PWR peers, to hit their goals. 𝘗𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘚𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘦 is a 𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘑𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭 bestseller by Geoff Smart, Randy Street, and Alan Foster, built on research of 15,000+ careers and 9 million data points. Three decades and 30,000+ executive assessments later, our team applies it across every major industry in coaching, C-suite onboarding, team effectiveness, and succession.

Most CEOs and other senior leaders are asking: how do I use AI more? Fewer are asking: what is it quietly changing in how I think? AI does not just make leaders faster. Over time, it reshapes judgment, attention, and where shortcuts creep in. The risk is not obvious misuse; it is subtle erosion. • Coherence mistaken for truth • Analysis replacing judgment • Distance from hard decisions • Avoidance of discomfort • Diffused accountability The traps feel like tools until they are not. The leaders who get this right are not the ones using AI the most, they are the ones who stay clear on what must remain human. Curious, which trap do you see most often? Learn more in an article by ghSMART partner Rens van den Broek and principal David Longworth, “A CEO’s Guide to Using AI - Tools to Use, Traps to Avoid” (link in comments).

Apple’s CEO transition is a reminder of how high-stakes these moments really are. This Harvard Business Review reading list highlights what leaders get right, and where transitions break down. Featured at the top of the list: ghSMART’s article "Beware the Transition from an Iconic CEO", which shares seven practices to help boards ensure succession is set up for success. https://hubs.la/Q04d3C4x0 Elena Lytkina Botelho, Shoma Hayden, BJ Wright

We are celebrating our annual Staff Appreciation Week at ghSMART. Each of our staff members are a living testament to the last two principles of our credo: “We believe it is a great honor to support our colleagues” and “We are better together". We are grateful for our extraordinary staff team!

ghSMART partner Rens van den Broek recently facilitated a panel at PEI’s Human Capital Operating Partner Forum on building AI-ready leadership teams across the portfolio. He was joined by Alice Girardot (Permira), Tracey Byrne (Apollo Global Management, Inc.), and Asel Ashergold (EQT Group). A clear theme emerged: AI is less about adopting a new technology and more about redefining how leaders operate in real time. As Alice put it,“you need CEOs who are very comfortable creating new playbooks,” not relying on the ones that got them here. “Intellectual curiosity, agility, and an appetite for disruption are key.” That’s because AI doesn’t sit neatly within IT or innovation. It cuts across the business. As Tracey said, “AI isn’t just a technology shift, it’s a transformation.” The companies seeing real impact are the ones treating it that way; focusing not only on tools, but significantly on people, processes, and culture. She also noted that success can be reinforced by recognizing and rewarding employees for being part of the AI agenda. For private equity firms, this raises the bar on diligence. As Asel shared, the question is no longer whether a company has AI capabilities on paper, but whether the leadership team can “translate those AI capabilities into actual business levers that will move the needle.” In other words, not “do they have AI?” but “can they turn it into outcomes?” Across the discussion, a consistent tension emerged: driving near-term performance while building long-term capability, pushing adoption while still learning, and leading with conviction without a clear playbook. Alice’s closing comment grounded that tension in a shared truth: “we’re all going through it together.” The companies making progress aren’t waiting for clarity. They’re building it through leadership.

At ghSMART, our leadership advisors step into moments that matter most for leaders. They earn trust quickly, bring sound judgment to the table, and help CEOs and boards navigate decisions that shape organizations for years to come. If you’re motivated by real influence, intellectual rigor, and the opportunity to grow alongside generous, exceptional colleagues, you’ll find it here. Explore open Leadership Advisor roles in the link in the comments below. #ghSMART #ThePowerOfYou #LeadershipAdvisory

Whipsmart. High-achieving. Ambitious in their pursuit of results. That’s who our private equity clients are — and it’s the bar they set for the people they work with. At ghSMART, our consultants pair natural horsepower with continuous development — meeting deal teams head‑on with rigor and sound judgment to tackle the toughest people and organizational questions. In this clip, Alan Foster shares what it really takes to meet that bar. Watch the full conversation in the link in the comments below. #ghSMART #ThePowerofYou #LeadershipAdvisory

𝗙𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗷𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁. 𝗙𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝘁. A practical guide by ghSMART authors Rens van den Broek and David Longworth on how CEOs should use AI, and where to draw the line. Link to the guide in the comments below.

At ghSMART, our work is driven by the people behind it. Meet a few of the leaders who recently joined our team and the paths that brought them here. Clare Harding DPhil – 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹 – 𝗠𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲, 𝗔𝗨𝗦 Clare brings a richly varied background spanning strategy, entrepreneurship, and leadership advisory, with experience building and leading organizations across the APAC region. Based in Melbourne, she has worked across corporates, startups, government, and the social sector – shaping a career guided by curiosity, impact, and a deep belief in the power of people. Over time, clear themes emerged: a passion for strategic problem‑solving, a love of building and creating, and a conviction that the most important ingredient in any enterprise is having the right people supported in the right ways, doing the right work. At ghSMART, Clare is excited to work at the intersection of rigorous commercial judgment and the deeply human craft of understanding leaders, while helping grow the firm’s APAC presence alongside a team she’s proud to be part of. Giulia Musacci – 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹 – 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻, 𝗜𝗧𝗔 Giulia brings a strong analytical foundation to her work, having begun her career as a mechanical engineer before spending nearly a decade at McKinsey. Based in Milan, she was drawn early on to environments that are intellectually challenging, meritocratic, and constantly evolving – places where no two days are the same and learning never stops. Over time, what energized her most shifted from building perfect analyses to coaching, mentoring, and supporting people through meaningful career decisions. As her personal priorities evolved, Giulia began seeking a role that offered the same caliber of talent and challenge she valued, alongside greater flexibility and intentionality. At ghSMART, she’s excited to focus more deeply on the human side of leadership, partner with exceptional colleagues, and do work that combines rigor, impact, and genuine connection. We’re excited to welcome Clare and Giulia to the ghSMART team, bringing deep experience, fresh perspectives, and a shared passion for people‑centered leadership. Learn more about the leaders behind our work, and the paths that brought them here, via the link in the comments below. #ghSMART #ThePowerofYou #LeadershipAdvisory