You can lead with clarity—even when everything feels uncertain.
I help organizations acclimatize before they ascend—creating the clarity, cultural alignment, and steady footing required for healthy, sustainable progress.
“Anyone who has spent time in the Himalayas knows the danger of going too high, too fast. No matter how strong or ambitious a climber may be, the mountain always wins.”
— The Oxygen for Leaders Philosophy
The Challenge
Why ambitious plans stall
You’re putting in the hours, making the decisions, carrying the weight—but somehow the mission feels further away, not closer.
The gap between what your organization says it values and what it actually does keeps widening. And you’re not sure how to close it.
You’ve read the books. Attended the conferences. But the “knowing-doing gap” is real—and it’s exhausting.
The answer isn’t a new strategy.
It’s clarity about the culture beneath the surface.
Organizations that try to “scale” without first understanding their cultural altitude often experience disorientation, strained relationships, and decisions made in a fog.
What Guides the Work
Culture before strategy. Always.
My time in the Himalayas shaped how I think about organizational health. Sustainable transformation doesn’t come from ambition alone—it requires altitude awareness.
Culture Before Strategy
Understand the ground you’re standing on before you plan your ascent
Leadership with Humility
The best leaders tell the truth about where they are
Long-Term Strength
Pace yourself for the summit, not just the next ridge
Clarity Over Complexity
Simple, honest diagnosis beats sophisticated confusion
People-Centered Decisions
Numbers matter, but people aren’t numbers
How I Help
Organizational consulting for leaders who are ready to see clearly
I work with executive teams, boards, and organizational leaders who need a steady guide through seasons of growth, transition, or uncertainty.
Culture Assessment
Understanding the real atmosphere your team is operating in—the invisible patterns that shape everything.
Board Alignment
Getting everyone oriented toward the same summit—with clarity about roles, decisions, and direction.
Strategic Planning
Building plans that account for the culture that will carry them—not just the goals you want to achieve.
Succession Planning
Navigating leadership changes without losing altitude—or the culture you’ve worked to build.
Executive Coaching
Helping leaders see clearly and lead well through complexity, transition, and growth.
Fundraising Strategy
Developing sustainable approaches to resource development that align with your mission.
About
A guide, not a guru
I’ve spent nearly 40 years leading organizations—in banking, higher education, nonprofits, and the church. I’ve navigated financial constraints, mission expansion, board challenges, and the kind of culture-shaping seasons that require both wisdom and resilience.
Most recently, I served as small college president for fifteen years. That experience taught me more about organizational culture than any book or degree ever could.
Along the way, leaders started asking me to help them understand why their organizations felt “stuck.” The answer was almost never a lack of talent or desire. It was a need for clarity about the culture beneath the surface.
That’s how Oxygen for Leaders began.
What leaders are saying
The board expressed deep gratitude for your work and praise to God for bringing you to our organization. They asked that we be sure to convey this formally.
Throughout this past year, you have challenged us, motivated us, and provided valuable insight and leadership. Because of your commitment and efforts, our nonprofit has grown in many meaningful ways, and God has been honored.
Ed, I have loved doing life with you and having you serve our team. Your mentorship and service to our mission have been invaluable. Please know that we view you as a friend and a partner in the Gospel. We remain grateful for the impact you’ve had on our ministry.
Ready to see clearly?
Healthy leadership is never about speed. It’s about the wisdom to know your altitude, the courage to tell the truth about your culture, and the clarity to move forward with purpose.