In an era where traditional leadership models are crumbling under the weight of technological change, remote work, and global competition, leaders need a new playbook. In the groundbreaking, Leading in the Age of Digital Disruption, author Mike Peterson delivers exactly that — combining powerful storytelling with battle-tested strategies for building resilient, high-performing teams in today’s digital-first world.
Peterson’s unique approach brings leadership challenges to life in the book’s first section through the compelling story of Ethan Caldwell, a newly appointed CEO facing the monumental task of transforming a struggling organization. Through Ethan’s journey, readers witness firsthand the challenges and triumphs of rebuilding a company’s culture from the ground up. As Ethan navigates the complexities of managing a hybrid, global workforce while fending off fierce competition, readers gain invaluable insights into modern leadership dynamics.
The second half of the book transitions into a comprehensive leadership toolkit, offering practical, actionable strategies that leaders can implement immediately. “Leadership today is about more than just managing teams—it’s about creating a culture where people feel valued, engaged, and empowered,” writes Peterson. “This book is designed to give leaders the tools they need to not only survive but thrive in the modern workplace.” Peterson provides detailed guidance on:
Trust – The fundamental building block of successful organizations, trust requires leaders to demonstrate transparency, consistency, empathy, and vulnerability. Without it, even the most talented teams will falter.
Transparent Communication – Beyond mere information sharing, true transparency creates an environment where team members feel safe expressing opinions, voicing concerns, and offering innovative ideas. Peterson outlines specific strategies for establishing effective feedback channels and modeling open communication.
Accountability – While essential for high performance, accountability must be built on a foundation of trust and not devolve into counterproductive micromanagement. Peterson advises readers to set clear expectations, lead by example, encourage open feedback, and focus on solutions, not blame.
Servant Leadership – By prioritizing team growth and empowerment over personal success, servant leaders create environments where innovation flourishes and employees consistently exceed expectations.
Leading Through Crisis – Crisis moments define leadership legacies. Peterson provides a framework for staying calm, communicating effectively, and building long-term resilience while managing immediate challenges.
Fostering Innovation – Innovation doesn’t happen by accident. Leaders must intentionally create environments where experimentation is encouraged, cross-department collaboration is the norm, and continuous learning is embedded in the culture.
Navigating Difficult Decisions – Peterson’s strategic decision-making framework helps leaders align choices with organizational values while considering both short-term and long-term impacts.
Managing Hybrid Teams – Leadership success in the hybrid workplace requires mastery of both technological and human elements. Peterson offers concrete strategies for maintaining engagement and performance across distributed teams.
Whether a leader is managing a startup or steering a Fortune 500 company, Leading in the Age of Digital Disruption provides the insights and tools needed to build and maintain high-performing teams in an increasingly digital world. All those who embrace Peterson’s principles won’t just survive digital disruption – they’ll harness it to drive unprecedented growth and success.
Mike Peterson, author of Leading in the Age of Digital Disruption, is the founder and managing partner of Apex Consulting Partners LLC. With nearly two decades of experience in HR and IT, he has held global positions at BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc., Zogenix Inc., UCB, and Structure Therapeutics. Peterson received his Bachelor of Science degree from Colorado State University and is a certified HR professional through the Society of Human Resources Management and the HR Certification Institute.
