1604-The Leadership Gap with The Doug Thorpe Group’s Doug Thorpe
Leadership in a Changing Workplace with Doug Thorpe of the Doug Thorpe Group
In this episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur, host Josh Elledge speaks with Doug Thorpe, President and CEO of The Doug Thorpe Group and host of the podcast Leadership Powered by Common Sense. Doug shares valuable insights on how leadership must evolve to meet new workplace expectations and how leaders can better prepare for business exits with strategic planning.
Addressing Leadership Gaps in a Rapidly Changing World
Doug describes his role as a business therapist for CEOs and leadership teams, helping leaders improve their influence, communication, and organizational impact. He believes there’s a leadership gap across business, government, and communities—and he’s passionate about inspiring more people to step into leadership roles with confidence.
One of Doug’s key messages is that leaders must commit to building leadership capacity and staying adaptable. Successful leadership today demands more than issuing orders—it’s about connection, communication, and inspiring genuine engagement from teams.
The Evolution of Workplace Culture
Doug and Josh discuss the shifting landscape of workplace culture, noting that even before the pandemic, employees began seeking more meaningful relationships with their employers. Workers now expect empathy, recognition, and two-way communication.
Doug highlights that command-and-control leadership no longer works. Instead, successful leaders foster open dialogue, build trust, and show real empathy to create workplaces where employees feel valued and heard.
Who Doug Works With and His Coaching Approach
Doug’s coaching experience spans both Fortune 500 companies like ExxonMobil and Coca-Cola, and entrepreneurial businesses. His own background as an entrepreneur gives him a unique understanding of the challenges founders and owners face. Doug uses a structured coaching approach, typically engaging with clients for at least six months to allow time for behavioral change and measurable leadership growth.
His method involves gathering stakeholder feedback, setting clear goals, and tracking accountability metrics to ensure clients achieve tangible improvements in leadership performance.
Preparing for the Future: Exit Strategy Planning
Doug also shares key insights from his book, The Exit Strategy Handbook. He emphasizes that business owners—especially baby boomers approaching retirement—must plan their exit early to maximize value and outcomes.
Doug outlines nine different exit strategies, encouraging owners to think critically about their future plans and how to set their businesses up for success without being involved in every daily operation. Delegation, automation, and team development are vital for building businesses that can thrive independently.
About Doug Thorpe
Doug Thorpe is a seasoned executive coach, business advisor, and leadership expert. As President and CEO of The Doug Thorpe Group, Doug helps CEOs and senior executives develop stronger leadership capacity and navigate business transitions with confidence. He is also the host of the popular leadership podcast Leadership Powered by Common Sense and the author of The Exit Strategy Handbook, a guide for business owners preparing for successful exits.
About The Doug Thorpe Group
The Doug Thorpe Group specializes in leadership development, executive coaching, and strategic planning services for companies ranging from startups to multinational corporations. Their mission is to close leadership gaps, empower teams, and guide organizations through major transitions like scaling, succession, and ownership exits.
Links Mentioned in this Episode:
Leadership Powered by Common Sense Podcast
Episode Highlights:
Why leadership capacity is crucial for business success.
How employee expectations have evolved—and what leaders must do to adapt.
The importance of empathy, communication, and collaboration in modern leadership.
Doug’s structured coaching process for meaningful leadership transformation.
Key steps for business owners to prepare a strong, strategic exit.
Conclusion
Doug Thorpe’s insights remind us that leadership today requires more than authority—it demands empathy, adaptability, and foresight. Whether you're building stronger teams, improving your leadership skills, or planning your business exit, Doug’s strategies provide a practical roadmap for navigating change and driving sustainable success.
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