The Ryan Report: October 2025

There’s a quiet shift underway in many organizations: middle managers are vanishing in the name of efficiency. But what if that’s a costly mistake? Check out a short video in this month’s Ryan Report, I explore why these leaders remain essential—translating strategy into action, building trust across teams, and driving successful AI adoption. Lean shouldn’t mean disconnected.

I’ve long used McKinsey’s 7S model to guide strategic alignment, so when they released an updated framework—“Organize to Value,” expanding to 12 elements—I dove in. In this month’s Ryan Report, I share key takeaways and offer a broader perspective on integrating AI across the organization, not just one workflow at a time.

If you’re passionate about learning strategy, scroll down for a link to a free eBook and a downloadable SOAP (Strategy on a Page) template to help you clarify and communicate your vision.

I also had a thought-provoking conversation last month about how teams can communicate with purpose and lead with intention, link to the podcast is within and I invite you to subscribe to my free Substack—so we can keep the conversation going.