Working with executives can feel like designing for five vastly different clients, all stacked in a trench coat pretending to be one cohesive decision-maker. You’ve got the CEO with a broad vision, the CFO focused on costs, the Product leader eyeing feasibility, and the Marketing leader advocating for customer impact—all pulling in different directions. Getting them aligned on a singular path forward isn’t just challenging; it’s an art form.

Yet, as a creative strategist and leader, I’ve refined a system that ensures alignment every time. Here’s how I do it: