The Esteemed Journal

Unvarnished insights on leadership, management, and becoming a better CEO — one goof at a time.

AI & Leadership

The End of the Middle Manager (And the Rise of the AI Chief of Staff)

Meta and Block are dismantling their middle management layers. Here's why that's not a threat — it's the greatest leverage opportunity in the history of business.

By Gary Peterson  ·  April 30, 2026
Leadership

The Captain's Demotion: What Sean Couturier Taught an Entire NHL Team About Followership

The Flyers' captain accepted a demotion without complaint — and the entire team followed. What it teaches executives about ego, constraint, and the courage to be smaller.

By Gary Peterson  ·  April 20, 2026
Announcement

Announcing the Esteemed MBAi: Master Management. Multiply Your Leverage.

The Esteemed MBA has evolved. The MBAi is a dual-track program where every student masters human management and walks away with their own fully trained AI Chief of Staff.

By Gary Peterson  ·  April 1, 2026
AI

Marvin and Me: The AI Chief of Staff

Marvin is an independent, autonomous AI co-worker — bookkeeper, web developer, scheduler, and strategic partner. Now he's available to Esteemed Coterie members.

By Gary Peterson  ·  March 17, 2026
Announcement

HighFive People Management Platform Is Officially Alive

Built from the ground up over a weekend with my AI Chief of Staff — and released 100% free to the public. Here's what's inside and why we built it.

By Gary Peterson  ·  March 10, 2026
Esteemed MBAi · Class 08

Graduation Day: What Happens When Your AI Reviews You

Your final exam is unlike any you've taken before — a 360-degree performance review given to you by your AI. Eight sessions in, the flywheel is spinning. Now find out what it says about you.

By Gary Peterson  ·  April 18, 2026
New Managers

The Hardest Promotion: What No One Tells You About Becoming a Manager

You were promoted because you were exceptional at your job. Now the job has completely changed — and no one gave you the manual.

By Gary Peterson  ·  May 15, 2026
Leadership

The Burger King Comeback Is a CEO Masterclass — and It Looks a Lot Like the Esteemed MBAi

Tom Curtis has been quietly rebuilding Burger King with three principles every leader should know: Visionary, Team Builder, Top Sales.

By Gary Peterson  ·  April 14, 2026
Sales

Selling Without the Sleaze: What Authentic Sales Really Looks Like

Most people hate selling because they've been taught to sell wrong. Here's what changes when you build your approach on truth, trust, and genuine service.

By Gary Peterson  ·  May 8, 2026
Leadership

The Delegation Challenge: Why Letting Go Is the Most Powerful Thing You Can Do

Every leader knows they should delegate more. Almost no one does it well. Here's the framework that changes that.

By Gary Peterson  ·  May 1, 2026
Management

The Most Important Meeting You're Probably Not Having

One-on-one meetings are the manager's most powerful tool. Here's why most leaders avoid them — and what happens when you don't.

By Gary Peterson  ·  April 8, 2026
Accountability

What Gets Measured Gets Done: A Manager's Guide to Goal Setting That Actually Works

Setting goals is easy. Creating goals that drive behavior, accountability, and results is a skill most managers were never taught.

By Gary Peterson  ·  April 22, 2026
Feedback

Tiny Taps on the Wheel: How to Give Feedback That Actually Changes Behavior

Feedback is the most avoided conversation in management. Here's how to make it specific, regular, and as natural as breathing.

By Gary Peterson  ·  April 15, 2026
Culture

Why "A+ Work, Don't Be a Jerk" Is the Only Rule You Need

In management, we don't manage results — we manage behaviors. Here's why that distinction changes everything about how you lead.

By Gary Peterson  ·  March 25, 2026

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