Douglas Strouse: Resilient Leadership in the Face of Adversity
Dr. Douglas Strouse is a seasoned executive consultant, organizational psychologist, author, and leadership catalyst in the Mid-Atlantic business community. He is President of the CEO Club of Baltimore, a nonprofit forum where CEOs collaborate, exchange insights, and grow through peer advisory councils. As Managing Partner of Wexley Consulting, Doug brings decades of experience in leadership development, organizational change, performance management systems, executive coaching, and psychological assessment for companies ranging from small local firms to Fortune 500 organizations. He holds a Ph.D. in organizational management and psychology and is the co-author of The Secrets of Resilient Leadership and Stronger: Develop the Resilience You Need to Succeed. Doug has also authored more than 110 professional articles focused on helping leaders build resilience, culture, and high-performing teams.
In this episode, Leonard and Douglas Strouse discuss:
- Why running a small business can be harder than leading a large corporation
- The five core components of resilient leadership
- The concept of “active optimism” and expecting success
- How peer advisory councils help CEOs avoid isolation and make better decisions
- How AI will reshape leadership and why leaders must learn to use it strategically
Key Takeaways:
- Resilience is not about avoiding failure; it’s about getting back up repeatedly and learning from setbacks. Leaders who embrace failure grow stronger.
- Organizational excellence requires clarity. If performance standards and responsibilities are not clearly defined, people cannot achieve excellence.
- CEOs need community. Peer advisory groups provide perspective, accountability, and practical advice that can save companies significant time and money.
- Mental health impacts every workplace. Leaders must recognize that personal and professional challenges are interconnected.
- AI will not replace leaders, but leaders who understand how to leverage AI will outperform those who ignore it.
“Only through failure will you become a success.”
- Douglas Strouse
Connect with Douglas Strouse:
Website: http://Ceoclubofbaltimore.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglas-a-strouse-ph-d-63a17a/
Email: doug@ceoclubofbaltimore.com
Phone: 410-218-9777
Connect with Leonard Raskin:
Website: https://www.raskinglobal.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonardraskin/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RaskinGlobal
Email: lraskin@raskinglobal.com
Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.