Let’s take a tactical tour!

A Note from the CEO

Today’s newsletter is a little different. I’m taking you on a journey - a lesson, a moment of strategic reflection.

The other day, I walked a client through a chess position to sharpen her problem-solving skills as she navigates complex challenges at work—and today, I want to take you through a high-level version of that same exercise.

Don’t worry - you don’t need to be a chess player to follow along. In fact, it’s even better if you aren’t. This exercise is about perspective, not perfection.  About clarity in complexity.

Let’s take a high-level look at the board.

Step One: Inventory

Before making a move - in chess or in life - we must take inventory. What’s in front of us? What do we have? What’s missing?

In this position:

• Both sides have 5 pawns.
  

• Both have kings (1 each, of course!), queens (1 each), and rooks (1 each).
  

• But white has an extra knight.

That’s a 3-point advantage on the board - small, but meaningful.

Now reflect inward: What resources do you have right now? Are you leading from a position of strength, or are you missing a piece? Maybe you’ve lost momentum recently. Maybe you're navigating conflict or burnout. Take inventory before reacting.

Step Two: Timing

It’s Black’s turn to move. That’s important. Even though Black is down a piece, they control the tempo right now. Just like in leadership, you can still guide the next step even when you're at a material disadvantage. You don’t need to have all the answers - just the right move next.

When I ask clients what they’d do here, they often say, “Attack!” That gut instinct can be useful - but it can also backfire if it’s not informed.

Let’s look at one common (but flawed) idea:
Qg4 – The queen checks the king.

But... There's a problem.

The knight on e5 can simply capture the queen.

This is a leadership moment: we moved too quickly, too emotionally. We didn’t ask the right questions:

• What is the risk here?
  

• What does the opponent - or the challenge - gain from our move?
  

• Have I assessed all the consequences?

• Why did I want to move so quickly?

Step Three: Choosing Strategic Aggression

So instead, let’s consider Qxg3+ - the queen captures a pawn and puts the king into check.

Now we’re talking. Of course, it took us several minutes to get to this point. We walked through several moves, but for the sake of this newsletter, let’s focus on this one move. 

This move does two things:

• Gains material (a resource win)
  

• Applies pressure (a strategic win)

It’s not just aggressive - it’s calculated. Intentional.

White responds with Kf5. They have to. 

You follow up with Qh3+. A quiet, elegant check. Keeping the tempo. Keeping the momentum. No fanfare, but a powerful shift in control.

Then Ng4 follows. White is trying to block the check. 

And finally: Qxg4+.

Another gain. Another moment of momentum.

Step Four: Sustained Success

Let’s be clear: the game isn’t over. Yes, Black has flipped the narrative, forced their opponent into retreat, and reclaimed agency, but this is the part we often overlook in leadership: once we find momentum, we stop. We relax. We assume the work is done.

This position reminds us: every win demands follow-through. Every breakthrough requires endurance. Leadership isn’t a one-move miracle. It’s a series of intentional actions.

Your Move

As you move through your week, ask yourself:

• Have I taken inventory of my team, my resources, and my capacity?
  

• Am I reacting emotionally, or responding strategically?
  

• Where can I gain ground - both tactically and relationally?
  

• Am I sustaining momentum after early wins?

The board may look crowded. The path may be unclear. But trust me - there is always a move. And it might just change everything.

Puzzle Solution: 

Qxg3+

Kf5, Qh3+

Kg4, Qxg4+ 

xx,

Ashley Lynn Priore