Different by Design: TAP’s Take on Leadership

There’s no shortage of books, frameworks, or five-step formulas claiming to be the secret to success. While some of those are packed with helpful insights, most leaders I’ve worked with don’t need more information. They need clarity, support, and accountability to apply what they already know.

I’ve spent decades leading teams, building businesses, facilitating leadership programs, and coaching high performers across multiple industries. Here’s what I’ve learned:

There’s no one-size-fits-all path to success; but there are patterns that work.

At TAP, we don’t deliver corporate training for training’s sake. We co-create practical, actionable programs designed to help leaders and teams get results that last. Not off-the-shelf courses. Not just “check-the-box” compliance. We provide real growth, real alignment and real skills.

Here are a few guiding principles we live by, and why they matter:

1. Know Your Business, Know Your People

We’re big believers in Dave Thomas’s quote: "Know your product better than anyone." But we’d extend that further: know your people better than anyone.

The best leaders are learners, not just about the market, but about the humans who make the work happen. Building strong relationships, genuine curiosity, and setting ego aside is what drives real impact.

2. Innovation Doesn’t Mean Reinventing Everything

Anna Eshoo said, “Innovation is the calling card of the future.” But innovation in corporate training isn’t about AI or chasing shiny things, it’s about adapting what’s relevant, discarding what isn’t, and having the courage to try something new. It’s about building programs that serve your actual teams, not magic pills and easy buttons.

3. Different Isn’t a Flaw, It’s a Strength

Anita Roddick nailed it: "Be different." At TAP, we don’t just tolerate difference; we build for it. Our most successful leaders aren’t carbon copies. They’re the ones who leaned into their unique strengths and had the courage to lead from them.

4. Growth Is Messy But Worth It

“The road to success is always under construction.” Lily Tomlin’s words ring true in every session we facilitate. True leadership development means navigating discomfort, blind spots, and uncertainty. Our job as coaches is to help leaders stay grounded through it.

5. Team Before Ego

Great leaders build teams that are smarter, braver, and more creative than they are. They don’t hoard ideas: they elevate others. We help leaders do this with real-world tools and coaching that reinforces trust, communication, and accountability.

6. Hire for Character, Train for Skill

We reference Simon Sinek’s quotes a lot, and in particular, “If you hire people who believe what you believe, they’ll work for you with blood, sweat, and tears.” Values-based hiring leads to deeper engagement, stronger culture, and better outcomes.

7. Integrity Over Optics

“Your reputation is more important than your paycheck.” – Ryan Freitas. We train leaders to make decisions that reflect their values—not just what's expedient. Because leadership without integrity? It doesn’t last.

8. Growth Is the Long Game

Rasheed Ogunlaru said it best: “Keep moving, learning, and evolving.” Our job is to help leaders build a growth mindset, not as a buzzword; but as a daily practice.

 

What Makes TAP Different?

We don’t believe in filler content. We don’t rely on outdated theory. We customize everything, because culture, context, and goals matter.

If you’re ready to:

Equip your leaders with real-world tools

Create a culture of accountability

Align leadership with strategy and values

...then let’s talk.

Book your free strategy session with Shannon and explore how TAP can help your leaders move from theory to transformation.