Hi Reader, Many years ago, I developed a quirky habit of writing an annual Fourth of July essay. Some years for private consumption and reflection, some years public, like my 2007 essay, which was published as a letter to the editor in the Boston Globe. Below is this year's entry into the catalog. Beyond Myth: Reclaiming American Patriotism As we mark, acknowledge, and celebrate 249 years since the birth of the United States, it is right to recall that the Founding Fathers, those venerated...
25 days ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, How Serious Leaders Stop Drifting Leadership drift is real. You don’t fix it with platitudes or personality tests. You need a system; one that stabilizes chaos, exposes blind spots, and gives you the language to lead with authority and grace. That’s why I created the Leadership Accountability Launch Kit— a three-part entry into the Leadership Guidance System from Karl Bimshas Consulting. Each tool is helpful on its own. Together? They’re transformational. Navigating Chaos sets the...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, Why I’ve Been Focused on Anti-Authoritarianism (and Why You Should Be Too) For too long, the conversation around leadership has missed the mark. That’s why, nearly a year ago, I published Essays On: Anti-Authoritarian Leadership — a collection of ten essays confronting the behaviors and dangers of authoritarianism. It dismantles the myth of authoritarian strength and urges leaders to reflect, resist, and recommit to democratic principles. Innovation, collaboration, and ethical...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, Most leaders say they value accountability. Few actually enforce it. The cracks always start small: Double standards. Unspoken expectations. Avoided conversations. Then, mediocrity sets in, rebranded as "the way we do things." If you're not holding yourself and others to clear, enforced standards, you're not leading. You're managing dysfunction and enabling drift. Leadership drift doesn’t make headlines. It just quietly undermines your credibility. A single missed expectation...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, I’m sharing something raw, urgent, and intentionally imperfect. Navigating Chaos: A Manifesto for Principled Defiance and a Call to Lead Better. This isn’t just another leadership book; it’s a doctrine for those fed up with weak leadership, moral compromise, and systems that reward mediocrity. It’s for executives, managers, business owners, organizers, and professionals who refuse to become jerks to get ahead. The world doesn’t need more performative outrage; it needs leaders who:...
2 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, I’ve been running Karl Bimshas Consulting for years. I’ve helped tired, drifting professionals find clarity, confidence, and direction. And it worked. But it’s not enough anymore. We’re done nibbling at the edges of leadership’s problems. It’s time to rebuild something worthy. People don’t need another safe watering hole to rejuvenate. They need a crucible to be reforged. Not a Coach, A Catalyst We don’t cheerlead. We don’t “fix” people. We architect systems that demand integrity....
3 months ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, You're Invited to Pilot “LEAD WITH PURPOSE” A 12-Week Journey to Vision-Driven Leadership Leadership can feel isolating, chaotic, and ambiguous, especially when you're striving to do it right. You want to lead with confidence, clarity, and purpose—without coming across as a jerk. That’s why I created Lead with Purpose—a 12-week, in-person workshop for professionals eager to transition from reactive to proactive and from scattered to strategic. Here’s what we’ll tackle together:...
3 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, A few thoughts as we enter the week and I glance at the calendar. The world didn’t need another leadership consultancy in 2009, but busy, values-driven professionals who felt discouraged, underestimated, and overwhelmed needed reassurance that they could lead effectively—without being jerks. While easy to find, poor leadership—arising from incompetence, indifference, or outright malice—has always frustrated me. It depletes talent, stifles creativity, and erodes confidence. I’ve...
4 months ago • 1 min read
Reflections on Leadership — March 2025 Recap Hi Reader, Here’s a recap of leadership articles, tips, and merch. Karl Bimshas Consulting shared in March. If you’re a frequent reader, please share your thoughts via the Content Satisfaction Survey. We’d love to know what you think so we can make the content we produce valuable to you. Before we get started, here's the date for the next SparkLab Summit: REGISTER HERE March Articles The Oval Office Debacle: A Failure of Leadership and a Betrayal...
4 months ago • 3 min read