the imperfect ceo

In today’s rapidly changing workplace, the old leadership playbook no longer works. Command-and-control has given way to collaboration and connection. Leaders are expected not just to direct—but to cultivate cultures that engage, align, and thrive.

In the style of his previous bestselling book The Imperfect Board Member, Jim Brown returns with a powerful new narrative. Picking up the story of CEO David Slater—now twenty years further into his leadership journey—Brown reveals the real-world challenges of leading through complexity and change.

This fable highlights what many leaders face in today’s increasingly human workplace—where relationships, empathy, and trust matter as much as outcomes, even as technology reshapes how we work. It illustrates that a sustainable, high-performing organization is possible, and it begins with the evolution of leadership.

Alongside David, readers discover practical ways to apply the Ascent Model, four essential indicators of a healthy organization that Brown’s firm developed over three decades of advising boards and executive teams:
Collaborative Culture
Leadership Accountability
Strategic Momentum