Leadership Lesson: When professional colleagues capitulate to pressure by participating in toxic conformity that compromises their personal integrity, they often end up watching as the entire organization pays the price. Undermining a targeted leader’s value to facilitate their removal may satisfy personal agendas and board objectives, but the resulting erosion of institutional knowledge, weakened execution,…

Tailored Talent — Conversation Series The PE-Backed CEO Playbook Most CEOs stepping into a PE-backed role for the first time underestimate how much of the job is about alignment before the work begins. The deal model, the sponsor relationship, the board you build around yourself. Getting that right before the company is running is what…

I recently saw a post from a former CEO that I completely agree with. He was always the G.O.A.T. of short and powerful thought considerations. Tech diligence can’t be an afterthought in new software deals. It’s probably on equal footing with financial diligence now. It’s certainly more necessary now than ever to manage downside models.…

In the largest leveraged buyout ever recorded, Electronic Arts is being taken private for $55 billion. Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, private equity firm Silver Lake, and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners will acquire the studio behind Madden, The Sims, and Battlefield, offering shareholders $210 per share. The deal marks a watershed moment for the $178…

In the relentless din of modern executive leadership, where every notification demands attention and every meeting promises urgency, the most transformative leaders share a singular gift: they are masters of signal-to-noise ratio. They possess an almost supernatural ability to identify what truly matters and amplify it while filtering out the endless static that drowns most…

Why misaligned hiring criteria are excluding exceptional technology leaders—and what to do about it After years of building and scaling high-performing teams in tech—and learning from some of the best leaders along the way—I’ve seen a troubling pattern: companies routinely struggle to hire the right leaders, while exceptional talent is overlooked and left on the…

What determines a leader’s longevity isn’t always competence—it’s often the narrative surrounding them. In high-pressure corporate environments, perception can become a more powerful force than performance. When that perception is deliberately manipulated—when doubts are seeded, contributions are quietly diminished, and credibility is questioned—a subtle yet destructive form of sabotage takes hold: 👉 corporate gaslighting. Unlike…

What qualifies me to write about these things?I’m Charles Burnette—and I’ve spent over a decade as a successful Customer Experience (CX), Contact Center, and Cloud Collaboration executive. I’m also a business founder and investor focused on innovation, operational excellence, and scalable growth. My career thus far has spanned people leadership inclusive of guiding leaders, product,…

As growth tech companies continue to navigate these dynamic and competitive business environments, three strategic priorities have emerged as critical for CEOs in 2025. First, harnessing the power of AI remains at the forefront (no surprise). With AI capturing roughly 45% of all venture capital investment last year, staying competitive means embedding AI across the…

Venture capital (VC) terminology is essential for anyone involved in startups, whether you’re an entrepreneur seeking funding, an aspiring venture capitalist, or someone working with startups in a support role. Understanding these terms not only enhances communication but also empowers you to make informed decisions, build stronger relationships with investors, and engage more effectively with…