Seeing beyond the spreadsheet into a deeper, more inspired kind of vision Let’s be honest: when we think about strategy, the first images that come to mind are usually charts, bullet points, or slide decks. Precision. Planning. Control. Great strategy isn’t just designed -it’s felt. Like art, it moves people, stirs energy, and dares to be different But what if we could borrow insight from the world of art -from color, emotion, movement- and learn to think about strategy in a more creative, human, and even poetic way? Enter: Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night. WHAT DO YOU FEEL WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT? Swirls of sky. A bold, uncontainable moon. The tiny town beneath a universe in motion. It’s not a logical piece - it’s emotional. Intuitive. Alive. And that’s exactly why it’s the perfect metaphor for business strategy in uncertain, fast-moving times. We’re not navigating static markets anymore. We’re navigating something much more like Starry Night - dynamic, layered, even chaotic at times. And that requires a different way of seeing. STRATEGY ISN’T A STATIC MAP - IT’S A LIVING CANVAS Many organizations treat strategy like a map: “ If we go from Point A to Point B using these steps, we will win .” But Van Gogh didn’t follow a fixed path - he trusted the emotion of the moment, the energy of movement, the rhythm of flow. He painted what he felt as much as what he saw. Likewise, modern leaders must learn to paint with vision - not just with plans. Strategy is no longer just about knowing every step in advance. It’s about tuning into patterns, sensing shifts, and choosing strokes with courage. 5 LESSONS FROM STARRY NIGHT FOR STRATEGY-MINDED LEADERS: Embrace Motion The sky in Starry Night is moving. Wildly. Strategy today must do the same. Don’t expect the market, your competitors, or your customers to stay still. Build fluidity into your strategy, not just fixed goals. Create space to adapt. Let Vision Lead Van Gogh painted this scene from memory, not realism. Strategy isn’t always about reacting to what is - it’s about imagining what could be. Vision should be bold enough to inspire, yet grounded enough to guide. Honor Complexity Starry Night is layered. Color over color. Shape over shape. Strategy should reflect the interconnectedness of people, departments, culture, and values—not just isolated KPIs. Complex doesn’t mean unclear. It means alive. Make Space for Emotion The painting isn’t just seen—it’s felt. That matters. We pretend business is rational, but decisions are made emotionally—by customers, employees, and leaders alike. Good strategy taps into energy, meaning, and belief, not just logic. Dare to Be Distinct Van Gogh didn’t try to paint like anyone else. He painted like Van Gogh. Your strategy shouldn’t look like your competitor’s. It should reflect your unique identity, your culture, your “why.” STRATEGY AS ART, LEADERSHIP AS EXPRESSION You can’t always measure inspiration - but you can feel when a team is aligned, when a vision excites, when an idea sparks something beyond data. That’s what the best strategies do. They don't just chart a course - they awaken energy. A PROMPT TO REFLECT: If your current business strategy were a painting, what would it look like? Would it be alive, layered, and moving - or neat, safe, and flat? And more importantly: Does it make anyone feel something? YOU DON’T NEED TO BE AN ARTIST- BUT YOU ARE A CREATOR Strategy isn’t about being right. It’s about being awake. It’s about seeing the currents in the chaos and creating something bold enough to last through the night. So the next time you’re sitting in a meeting with another deck of bullet points, ask yourself: Where’s the swirl? Where’s the spark? Where’s the starry night? Because business doesn’t need more perfect plans. It needs more courageous visionaries who are willing to lead with color, curiosity, and conviction. That’s the art. That’s the strategy. That’s Unscripted Leadership. ©2025 Kinsey Hartwell – www.unscripted-leadership.org

How firelight, poetry, and vulnerability connect us more deeply than any boardroom ever could No slides. No suits. Just the open sky, the glow of a fire, and the quiet company of others willing to lead with presence -not performance. We’ve hosted these evenings in deserts. In forests. In wide open spaces where the noise of leadership fades and the truth of it finally speaks. Sometimes, someone shares a story of a moment of truth that impacted their life or career forever and what they learned from it. Sometimes, a leader reads a poem that shaped how they lead. Sometimes, we just sit in silence -together- letting the stars do the talking. It may sound simple. But these moments create a kind of leadership transformation that no training program can replicate. Why? Because we’re not just exchanging strategies. We’re connecting through something far more powerful: story, vulnerability, and shared awe. WHY THE STARS MATTER When you sit under a sky that makes you feel small, you remember something important: Leadership isn’t about being the center of the universe. It’s about serving something larger. Stargazing invites humility. It takes you out of the task list and into the timeless. It reminds you that you’re part of a much bigger story, and that the best leaders never forget that. WHY THE FIRE MATTERS Firelight softens the edges. It melts down armor. It invites storytelling that’s not for show, but for meaning. Around a fire, hierarchy dissolves. The executive leadership team become human beings again. And in that glow, leaders remember what they don’t always say out loud: “ I don’t have all the answers .” “ I’m tired sometimes .” “ I want to do this differently. ” And when one person shares, others lean in. That’s the spark. That’s what builds trust. WHY STORY AND POETRY MATTER We talk so much about leadership communication, but rarely about leadership expression. Storytelling isn’t just a tool - it’s a mirror. When a leader shares a personal story or a favorite poem, they reveal who they are, what shaped them, and what they care about. And in doing so, they give others permission to bring their full selves, too. This kind of sharing bypasses the intellectual and speaks straight to the heart. It says: “ I see you. I’ve been there. You’re not alone .” And that’s the kind of message that actually moves people. WHY THE SILENCE MATTERS Silence isn’t the absence of leadership - it’s the deepest form of it. In silence, you can finally hear what’s underneath the noise. Your intuition. Your unspoken desires. Your discomforts. Your truth. Silence gives space for reflection. And reflection is where real growth takes root. In our stargazing sessions, it’s often the quiet moments - sitting shoulder to shoulder, saying nothing - that create the deepest bonds. Because silence says: “You don’t have to perform here. You just have to be present.” LEADERSHIP NEEDS MORE RITUAL, LESS RUSH We live in a culture that prizes fast thinking, fast execution, fast growth. But leadership - real, human, transformative leadership- grows slower. More like a fire than a flash. That’s why these stargazing nights matter. They offer a new kind of leadership ritual -one rooted not in hustle, but in harmony. Not in bravado, but in being. We’ve watched teams shift in just a few hours of firelight and story. Not because they learned something new, but because they remembered something true. That connection is the most powerful leadership tool there is. A PROMPT TO REFLECT: What’s the story, poem, or silence that shaped you as a leader - but that your team has never heard? And what would happen if you shared it? BRINGING THE STARS BACK TO WORK You don’t need a desert or a fire to bring this spirit into your leadership. You just need intention. Here are a few ways to lead like you’re under the stars: Start your next team retreat with a personal story -not a strategy slide Ask your team to bring a poem or song that represents how they feel about work right now Create space in meetings for silence -not just airtime Invite reflection with questions like: What’s something about you we wouldn’t know by your LinkedIn? When the moment is right, share your own stargazing story - the one that made you want to lead in the first place. Because people don’t follow titles. They follow meaning. They follow presence. They follow the leader who’s willing to share around the fire - flawed, human, and fully here. UNSCRIPTED LEADERSHIP IS FIRELIGHT LEADERSHIP Not overly polished. Not overly planned. But glowing with honesty. Rooted in story. And willing to let the stars speak when the words run out. So gather around. Bring your poem. Bring your silence. Bring your truth. Let’s lead - unscripted. ©2025 Kinsey Hartwell – www.unscripted-leadership.org

What improv comedy can teach us about bold, human leadership in uncertain times In a world that rewards certainty, the most courageous leaders are the ones who can show up unscripted and lead from presence You don’t have to be funny to lead like an improviser. You don’t need a stage. You don’t need punchlines. But you do need one thing: presence. Because at its core, great improv isn’t about entertainment- it’s about connection. It’s about tuning in, trusting your instincts, responding in real time, and co-creating with what shows up… not what you rehearsed. And in that sense, improvisation is one of the most powerful leadership muscles you can build. THE PROBLEM WITH POLISHED LEADERSHIP Many leaders are taught to believe that strength = certainty. That you need to have the answers, own the room, anticipate every twist, and deliver perfection on cue. But the world doesn’t work like that anymore. The pace of change is too fast. The challenges too nuanced. The human needs too complex. And in this messy, beautifully unpredictable business landscape, what people are craving is not perfection - it’s presence. Leaders who can show up real, open, and responsive. Leaders who know how to adapt instead of freeze. Leaders who don’t fake certainty - but offer clarity anyway. This is where improvisation becomes a mirror. A mindset. A method. WHAT IS IMPROV, REALLY? Improv isn’t chaos. It’s structured freedom. It’s built on a few core principles that just so happen to be perfect for modern leadership: “Yes, and…” - Accept what’s happening, and build on it. Be in the moment - Let go of the script and listen deeply. Make your partner look good - Collaboration over ego. Follow the fear - Step into the unknown with courage. Trust the process - You don’t need all the answers to begin. Sound familiar? These aren’t just performance tricks. They’re the same traits that define adaptive, emotionally intelligent, human-centered leadership. WHY IMPROVISATIONAL LEADERS THRIVE They don’t freeze in the fog When plans fall apart, improvisational leaders don’t panic - they pivot. They anchor in purpose and adjust the path in real time. They make space for others to lead Improv is built on trust and co-creation. It’s not a solo act. These leaders invite ideas, share the spotlight, and let solutions emerge from the group. They model emotional agility They can hold paradox. Laugh in tension. Stay grounded in uncertainty. And in doing so, they create psychological safety for others to do the same. They value curiosity over control Improv isn’t about being right - it’s about exploring what’s possible. Improvisational leaders ask bold questions and listen for what wants to emerge. WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE IN LEADERSHIP Instead of saying: “ This wasn’t in the plan .” Try: “ What’s the opportunity we didn’t see coming? ” Instead of: “ Let’s wait until we have all the answers. ” Try: “ Let’s take a thoughtful first step and learn from it .” Instead of: “ We need to make this perfect. ” Try: “ Let’s make this meaningful—and iterate from there .” You’re not winging it. You’re working with it. IMPERFECT, PRESENT, AND POWERFUL Let’s be honest: your team doesn’t need you to be flawless. They need you to be real. To notice what’s happening. To name the moment. To choose the next move - not from fear, but from trust. Improv teaches us that leadership is a living conversation, not a solo performance. And that you can’t lead people through change if you’re clinging to a script written for a different reality. A PROMPT TO REFLECT Where in your leadership are you trying to be perfect -when what’s really needed is presence? What would shift if you let go of control and leaned into curiosity? THE NEW LEADERSHIP SUPERPOWER The future belongs to leaders who can respond, not react. Who can create culture in real time. Who can walk into complexity and say with grounded calm: " I’m here. I’m listening. Let’s figure it out together. " That’s improvisation. That’s leadership. That’s unscripted. ©2025 Kinsey Hartwell – www.unscripted-leadership.org

Why clarity of direction beats certainty of steps in modern leadership If you want to leave a trail - Walk unchartered paths and let go of the compass in your hand. Let your inner compass guide you instead In a world that’s moving faster than most strategies can keep up with, the old question of “ What’s the plan? ” is being replaced by a deeper one: “ What direction are we headed? ” Because leadership today isn’t about perfectly laid-out roadmaps. It’s about knowing how to navigate when the map gets outdated the moment it’s printed. It’s about leading with a compass. THE MYTH OF THE PERFECT PLAN For years, leadership was obsessed with precision. Forecasts, timelines, 10-step roadmaps. As if the world would wait politely for the plan to play out. But reality doesn't follow our outlines. Markets shift. Teams evolve. Crises happen. And in the messiness of change, the leaders who thrive aren’t the ones clutching a plan - they're the ones anchored to a direction and nimble enough to respond. WHAT IS THE COMPASS? A compass doesn’t tell you exactly how to get somewhere. It tells you where true north is. In leadership, your compass is your purpose. It’s your values, your vision, and your internal alignment. It’s what keeps you grounded when the road gets unclear - and what pulls you forward when everything else is uncertain. Maps give instructions. A compass gives intention. LEADING WITH THE COMPASS LOOKS LIKE: Asking, “ Is this in alignment with who we are and why we exist? ”- not just “ Is this on schedule ?” Making decisions based on principles, not just pressure. Trusting your team to co-create the path forward, instead of trying to control every step. Knowing when to pause, zoom out, and re-center on your deeper "why." COMPASS LEADERSHIP REQUIRES… PRESENCE To lead with a compass, you need to pause. You need space for reflection. You need to listen- to yourself, your team, your context. And that’s the part many leaders skip when urgency creeps in. But clarity of direction doesn’t come from rushing. It comes from being aligned. From knowing what truly matters. From leading from the inside out. A PROMPT TO REFLECT: What’s your leadership compass pointing to right now? Not your to-do list. Not your KPIs. Your true north. And are your decisions today taking you in that direction- or just keeping you busy? LET GO OF THE MAP The map can be helpful - but don’t be afraid to redraw it. Because the best leaders in this moment? They’re the ones who have the courage to say: " I don’t know every step yet..., but I know where we’re going. And I trust myself and my people to find the way ." That’s unscripted leadership. And it’s exactly what this world needs now. ©2025 Kinsey Hartwell – www.unscripted-leadership.org

What the Tango -and Adaptive Leadership- Teach Us About Culture, Connection, and Leading from the Inside Out Leadership is a dance between self-expression and attunement - those who listen deeply move most powerfully Leadership isn't a solo performance. It's a dance. Not the kind where you memorize steps and perform to impress, but the kind where you have to feel the rhythm, sense the space, and move in constant dialogue with the people around you. If you’ve ever watched two people dance the Tango, you’ll know what I mean. There’s no fixed routine. There’s no domination. And while one person leads and one follows, the magic lies in the mutual listening -through posture, energy, micro-movements. It’s less about control, and more about attunement. That’s exactly the kind of leadership we need today. And it begins with learning to balance the tension between "Me" and "We." ME AND WE: THE LEADERSHIP POLARITY “Me” is about authenticity. It’s knowing your values, your story, your personal rhythm. It’s owning your space without apology. “We” is about attunement. It’s noticing the energy in the room, adjusting your steps, and responding to what the team or system needs from you. Lean too far into one, and the dance falls apart. All “Me” with no “We”? You lead from ego, not impact. All “We” with no “Me”? You lose your voice - and your edge. Great leaders -like great dancers- know how to stay grounded in their own presence while tuning into the presence of others. They move from the inside out and the outside in. They don’t dominate. They connect. ENTER THE BALCONY AND THE DANCE In adaptive leadership, Ronald Heifetz introduced the metaphor of “being on the balcony and in the dance.” It’s brilliant. The dance is the action: the conversations, tensions, team dynamics, and decisions playing out in real time. The balcony is the higher view: the systems perspective, the patterns, the emotional undercurrents you miss when you're fully immersed. Strong leaders learn to do both. They move with their team, feel what’s happening on the ground… And they rise above, reflect, and recalibrate with perspective. It’s not either/or. It’s a practice of presence. THE TANGO AS A LEADERSHIP MIRROR Tango isn’t about performing for the audience. It’s about mutual trust, subtle energy, and improvisation within shared purpose. Let’s draw some parallels: There’s no set script, just shared intention Like in modern leadership, the steps aren’t predefined. You move toward a common goal, but how you get there depends on constant feedback. Leading and following are co-created In Tango, “leading” doesn’t mean controlling. It means proposing a direction, while listening deeply to how your partner responds. That’s leadership today: inviting direction, not imposing it. MISTAKES ARE PART OF THE ART When something unexpected happens, good dancers don’t freeze. They adapt. They laugh. They find new steps. That’s resilience. That’s presence. CONNECTION IS EVERYTHING Without connection, it’s just movement. With connection, it becomes meaning. LEADING CULTURE FROM THE INSIDE OUT Culture isn’t what’s written on your website. It’s how you show up in the everyday dance of work. And make no mistake: as a leader, you are always dancing with culture. The question is whether you’re doing it consciously, or just going through the motions. HERE’S HOW TO STAY IN STEP: Know your rhythm (Me) What are your non-negotiables? Where are you trying to impress instead of express? What truth are you holding back that could invite real change? Read the room (We) Who speaks most—and who stays silent? What does the team energy feel like under pressure? Where is the group dancing in sync - and where are people stepping on each other’s toes? Step back to the balcony What patterns keep repeating? Where do emotional undercurrents shape decisions? What system are you reinforcing by how you respond? THE MOST POWERFUL LEADERS ARE... DANCERS They don’t control the tempo -they co-create it. They don’t pretend to know every step -they trust their instincts and the wisdom of the room. And they know when to move forward, when to slow down, and when to pause and breathe. Most importantly, they know that leadership is never a solo. It’s a series of shared improvisations that shape not only outcomes, but who we become along the way. A PROMPT TO REFLECT: Where in your leadership are you over-choreographed -and where do you need to rediscover the rhythm of the moment? And… are you spending enough time on the balcony to understand the bigger dance? LEAD LIKE A DANCER Forget perfection. Lead with presence. Listen with your whole body. Let culture move through you- not around you. Because the leaders who will shape the future won’t be those who march to the beat of their own drum. They’ll be the ones who co-create the music. And dance -beautifully, bravely, unscripted. ©2025 Kinsey Hartwell – www.unscripted-leadership.org