Strategic Leadership Trilogy

“Three journeys. One leader. Endless lessons in judgment, purpose, and the art of organizational renewal.”

The Strategic Leadership series follows the ongoing development of Bill Ellis, an experienced executive who keeps returning to leadership roles when organizations need clarity and direction. Each book captures a new stage of his growth and explores how leaders learn, adapt, and guide others through uncertainty.

In A Trip to Strategic Leadership: A Heavy-Handed CEO’s Journey of Self-Discovery and the Principles of Strategy, Bill begins as a frustrated CEO whose company is stuck in place. A strange leap forward in time forces him to confront the impact of his own leadership and discover what true strategic thinking looks like.

In A Return to Strategic Leadership: Judgment in the Age of AI, Bill steps out of retirement to help his former consulting firm survive pressure from shifting markets and a fast-rising artificial intelligence rival. The experience shows him that even in an era driven by data and algorithms, judgment, values, and courage still matter.

In Home to Strategic Leadership: Where mission meets discipline, and four worlds shape one future (available late-2026), Bill becomes chairman of a large nonprofit health system facing financial strain and cultural drift. Drawing on everything he has learned—from partnerships to private equity to public-company governance—he works to build a model of stewardship that keeps the organization grounded in its mission while preparing it for the future.

Together, the series follows one leader learning how to guide complex organizations with insight, integrity, and a steady sense of purpose.