New Book Reveals A Purpose-Driven Methodology for Sustainable Leadership Excellence
The Intentional Executive
Transform your leadership. Transform your organization. Transform your legacy.
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Nearly half of all executive transitions fail to meet expectations. Yet purpose-driven leaders consistently defy these odds.
Why?
Because they’ve discovered how to activate their teams’ collective wisdom to create sustainable transformation.
When Smart Leaders Hit Performance Plateaus Despite Having All the Right Pieces
You stare at the past quarter’s dashboard, knowing your organization should be achieving more.
Yet somehow, you sense you’re operating below your true potential. This manifests in two telling ways:
- Board meetings become exercises in explaining why promising initiatives haven’t delivered expected results and
- Team meetings feel repetitive, cycling through the same challenges without generating breakthrough solutions.
Here’s the critical question that changes everything:
What if the problem isn’t your strategy, your team’s capability, or your organization’s potential?
A Research-Based Approach That's Transforming Executive Leadership
The Intentional Executive challenges the persistent myth that leaders must choose between values and results.
Drawing from our ringside view of hundreds of executive journeys, we’ve identified the hidden patterns that separate those who thrive from those who merely survive.
When leaders shift from deficit-focused problem-solving to strengths-based transformation facilitation, sustainable change becomes achievable through an intentional, systematic approach.
As leaders, we often fling ourselves at our work, relying on gut instinct and past experience to carry the day. Sometimes that works, but often we can sense that something is missing. This book offers incredible insights for the leader who wants to be intentional and evidence-driven in their approach.
Patrick and Melissa manage to be both results-driven and human-focused, a rare combination that gives leaders incredible influence when managed carefully. Since reading this book, I’ve put several of their ideas into action with team members and clients. You’ll walk away with actionable insights that change the way you work and lead to stronger results.
Amber A. Johnson, PhD
Business Owner
With just days before our global team offsite in Mexico City and no core team building strategy in place, I was facing a leadership crisis that could derail our entire year.
The Intentional Executive provided exactly the treasure trove of actionable ideas I needed to transform our gathering into an unforgettable experience.
Our team is now performing at peak levels, and it all started with the wisdom found in this remarkable book.
Amber A. Johnson, PhD
Business Owner
The Purpose-Driven Leadership Methodology
At the heart of The Intentional Executive lies a fundamental shift from traditional command-and-control leadership to what we call “transformation catalysis.” This approach draws from several key methodologies developed through our advisory work:
The Listen, Learn, Lead Framework
Rather than arriving with predetermined solutions, effective executives begin with deep organizational listening. Chapter 2 provides the systematic approach for conducting what we call “strategic listening tours” that reveal hidden opportunities while building stakeholder trust simultaneously.
Appreciative Inquiry Principles
Traditional consulting asks, “What’s broken here?” Our research shows that asking “What’s working exceptionally well?” unlocks far more transformation potential. You’ll discover how to identify and amplify existing organizational strengths rather than exhausting energy on weakness-focused initiatives.
The 5-Lens Strategic Assessment
This proprietary framework (detailed in Appendix 2C) helps executives see their organizations through multiple perspectives simultaneously:
- Purpose Alignment Assessment
- Capability Evaluation
- Impact Measurement
- Implementation Readiness
- Action Planning Architecture
Values-Driven Decision Making
When personal values align with organizational purpose, decision-making becomes both faster and more sustainable. Chapter 1 walks you through the Personal Purpose Discovery process that has helped hundreds of executives find this alignment.
What You’ll Discover in The Intentional Executive
Get Clear on What Matters Most
- Connect with your authentic purpose using the Personal Purpose Discovery framework (page 18)
- Master the 5-Lens Strategic Assessment that reveals hidden opportunities others miss (Page 273)
- Transform vague mandates into specific, measurable transformation strategies using the Transformation Plan Template (page 52)
PART II
Make Investments That Drive Success
- Connect with your authentic purpose using the Personal Purpose Discovery framework (page 18)
- Master the 5-Lens Strategic Assessment that reveals hidden opportunities others miss (Page 273)
- Transform vague mandates into specific, measurable transformation strategies using the Transformation Plan Template (page 52)
PART III
Deliver Results
- Connect with your authentic purpose using the Personal Purpose Discovery framework (page 18)
- Master the 5-Lens Strategic Assessment that reveals hidden opportunities others miss (Page 273)
- Transform vague mandates into specific, measurable transformation strategies using the Transformation Plan Template (page 52)
Praise for The Intentional Executive Approach
Breaking Through Plateaus:
How Strategic Executive Transition Support Accelerates Impact
“I was able to enlist them early to assist me with that executive transition so that I could hit the ground running… They have been extremely T-shaped in their practice – able to guide and assist with strategic thinking and planning as well as being able to deep dive on technology and operations.”
— Susan Standiford
Chief Product/Technology Officer, StepStone
Breaking Through Plateaus:
How Strategic Executive Transition Support Accelerates Impact
“I was able to enlist them early to assist me with that executive transition so that I could hit the ground running… They have been extremely T-shaped in their practice – able to guide and assist with strategic thinking and planning as well as being able to deep dive on technology and operations.”
— Susan Standiford
Chief Product/Technology Officer, StepStone
Breaking Through Plateaus:
How Strategic Executive Transition Support Accelerates Impact
“I was able to enlist them early to assist me with that executive transition so that I could hit the ground running… They have been extremely T-shaped in their practice – able to guide and assist with strategic thinking and planning as well as being able to deep dive on technology and operations.”
— Susan Standiford
Chief Product/Technology Officer, StepStone
The Transformation You’ll Experience
Current Situation
Staring at dashboards hoping for improvement
Meetings recycling familiar challenges
Calendar dominated by crisis management
Carrying organizational anxiety alone
Defensive stakeholder conversations
Directing disengaged team member
Questioning your fit for transformation challenges
Current Situation
Staring at dashboards hoping for improvement
Meetings recycling familiar challenges
Calendar dominated by crisis management
Carrying organizational anxiety alone
Defensive stakeholder conversations
Directing disengaged team member
Questioning your fit for transformation challenges
Why This Book Matters Now
Unlike traditional leadership books that offer generic frameworks, The Intentional Executive provides a research-based methodology specifically designed for today’s most pressing leadership challenges:
Unlike traditional leadership books that offer generic frameworks, The Intentional Executive provides a research-based methodology specifically designed for today’s most pressing leadership challenges:
+ Get Instant Access to Tools
Get The Intentional Executive for just $0.99 during our launch period and get 4 exclusive bonuses
Limited-Time Launch Offer
After watching brilliant executives struggle to translate insights into action, we’ve learned something essential: frameworks without tools remain academic exercises. That’s why The Intentional Executive comes with the actual worksheets and assessments our clients use to create measurable change.
When you get The Intentional Executive today, you’ll get 4 action-enabling bonuses:
Bonus #1
Personal Purpose Discovery Workbook
Leaders who lack purpose clarity struggle with everything from strategic decisions to team inspiration. This workbook eliminates that struggle.
Strategic Assessment Toolkit
Most executives see their organizations through a single lens. This assessment reveals the complete picture, often uncovering opportunities that transform good companies into exceptional ones.
Bonus #3
Team Development Resource Kit
These are the exact instruments that have helped leaders unlock innovation in their teams. Plus, these tools help you measure and systematically build the conditions where your best people do their best work.
Bonus #4
Executive Transition Success Guide
The executives who succeed fastest are those who listen strategically before they act decisively. This guide gives you the exact questions and frameworks that accelerate trust-building while revealing hidden organizational opportunities.
Zero fluff
These are working tools, not theoretical add-ons
Battle-tested
Used with actual Fortune 500 clients
Immediate implementation
Readers can start using them today
Systematic approach
Removes guesswork from leadership challenges
We’re sharing the actual tools because frameworks without implementation remain academic exercises. These bonuses ensure you move from reading about transformation to systematically creating it.
This special pricing ends on 8/31/25
When you get The Intentional Executive today, you’ll get 4 action-enabling bonuses:
+ 4 Free Bonuses
After this date, the book returns to its regular price of $17.99.
Join a community of intentional leaders who are reshaping what’s possible in organizational transformation
When purpose meets performance, extraordinary results become inevitable.
About the Authors
As Co-Founders of Ad Lucem Group, they combine complementary expertise in organizational strategy and cultural transformation, helping purpose-driven leaders achieve exceptional results while honoring their values.˙
Lead with Intention
Melissa Norcross, PhD, MBA
is a strategy executive with extensive global leadership experience in software, technology, and financial services.
She coaches executives and leaders through MITxPro, Emeritus Institute and the Naval Postgraduate School. Her research focuses on organizational change, team performance, and values-driven leadership.
Power. Purpose. Precision.
Patrick Farran, PhD, MBA
brings nearly three decades of leadership experience, operating as CEO of Ad Lucem Group, specializing in executive performance and organizational transformation.
Previously Director of Consulting for SAS Institute and executive coach at University of Notre Dame’s Executive MBA and Executive Masters of Non-Profit Administration programs.
Your Go-To Guide for Achieving Exceptional Results Without Compromising Your Values
Whether stepping into a new role or aiming to enhance your leadership impact, “The Intentional Executive” provides the research-backed framework for achieving sustainable results without compromising your values or succumbing to burnout.
Instant digital delivery + 4 bonus resources
Transform your leadership. Transform your organization. Transform your legacy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How is this different from other leadership books?
Most leadership books focus on individual development or generic frameworks. The Intentional Executive provides a systematic methodology specifically designed for organizational transformation, backed by PhDs in Values-Driven Leadership and tested across hundreds of executive transitions.
Will this work in my industry/organization size?
The purpose-driven approach has been successfully implemented across industries from technology and manufacturing to non-profits and government agencies, in organizations ranging from 50 to 50,000+ employees. The frameworks adapt to your specific context.
How quickly can I expect to see results?
Many leaders report immediate clarity and direction within the first 30 days of implementing the frameworks. Organizational transformation typically shows measurable progress within 90 days, with sustained culture change evident by month six.
Is this appropriate for new executives or only experienced leaders?
The book serves both audiences. New executives benefit from the transition frameworks and first-90-day strategies, while experienced leaders gain advanced methodologies for breaking through performance plateaus and driving sustainable transformation.
What if my organization is resistant to change?
Chapter 6 specifically addresses change fatigue and resistance, providing proven techniques for building psychological safety and creating enthusiasm for transformation rather than compliance-based change.
Do I need to implement everything, or can I use select frameworks?
While the complete methodology delivers optimal results, each framework is designed to work independently. You can start with the areas most relevant to your current challenges and expand from there.
Instant digital delivery + 4 bonus resources
Transform your leadership. Transform your organization. Transform your legacy.
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