Jay Desko — The Center Consulting Group

Jay Desko, Ph.D.

President & CEO

Jay is the President and CEO of The Center Consulting Group and brings experience in the areas of organizational assessment, leadership coaching, decision-making, and strategic questioning. Jay’s degrees include an M.Ed. in Instructional Systems Design from Pennsylvania State University and a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and Leadership from The Union Institute & University.

Contact Jay

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Videos

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Leadership: How to Be a World Class Boss [VIDEO]

Want to be the kind of leader people talk about at dinner in a good way? Here’s how to become a world-class boss in 7 steps.

Blind Spots: How to Identify & Avoid Blind Spots in Your Organization [VIDEO]

All organizations have blind spots, and when they go unchecked, they can cause a catastrophic event. Here’s how to identify and avoid blind spots in your organization.

Recruiting & Retaining “Mature” Team Members [VIDEO]

In the movie “The Intern,” Robert De Niro is a retired executive who rejoins the workforce as a senior intern. This may sound like a story made just for the movies, but it matches our reality today. With the population aging and not enough young people to fill the available positions in the workforce, leaders are going to have to be creative to fill in the gaps. Here’s how.

Decision-Making: Why Smart Leaders Do Dumb Things [VIDEO]

There are a lot of examples of people who are perhaps smart, but not smart all the time. Here are five reasons smart leaders sometimes do dumb things.

Focus or Flounder: How to Leverage Concentrated Effort for Maximum Performance

While it may seem like spreading your focus out will increase your leadership, it actually takes away from your effectiveness. Here are five ways you can focus your energy and intention to be the most effective leader you can be.

Change: How to Lead Change Effectively

Leading change isn’t easy, just ask any leader. But successful leaders will tell you that the risk is worth it. Here are six principles for leading change effectively.

Decision-Making: 4 Aspects of Making Great Decisions [VIDEO]

Don’t you wish you could have your own Magic 8-Ball that would tell you how to make the perfect decision? Although that isn’t possible, here are four time-tested aspects of decision-making that leaders can focus on to make great decisions.

Succession Planning: How to Prepare for Leaders Leaving [VIDEO]

We are told to prepare for getting hit by the proverbial "bus." But in reality, something far more common may cause a gap in leadership and put our organizations at risk - illness, accident, quitting, or retirement. Here are four steps to help you prepare for succession when a key leader leaves.

Delegation: How Wise Leaders Delegate Effectively [VIDEO]

Have you ever felt like a magnet where more and more things stick to you as you go through your day? You either fail to give things away, or tasks that others should have done land on you? Here are five steps to help you delegate wisely and effectively.

Trust: 3 Actions that Build Trust [VIDEO]

Why do we let a pilot, whom we have never met, fly us across the country at 35,000 ft in air? It all has to do with trust. Trust is one of the foundational elements in organizational life. Here are three actions that will help you build trust in your life and leadership.

Leadership: 3 Ways to Lead Well [VIDEO]

There are examples of bad leadership all around us. Unfortunately, we can’t change others, but we can make improvements in our own leadership. Watch this video to learn three simple ways to lead well.

Blog Posts

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“No Whining on the Yacht!” 6 Reasons to Be Grateful Today

A paycheck. Clean water. A meal. A roof. A friend. If you have these, you already have the life-giving elements many people don't. Here are six reasons you can be grateful today.

Avoid, Delay, Procrastinate: 6 Decisions Leaders Keep Putting Off

Taylor Swift invited 1,000 people to her wedding because she didn't want to make the hard decisions. Leaders do the same thing, just with bigger consequences. Here are the 6 decisions they tend to put off.

9 Traps Every Business Owner Should Avoid

Most business failures don't come out of nowhere. The warning signs were there, but no one corrected course. Here are 9 traps every owner should strive to avoid.

The 3 Forces Driving Your Organization’s Momentum (For Better or Worse)

Your organization's momentum is shaped by who is talking about you and why. Whether you are trying to spread the word or get ahead of a negative narrative, these are the three types of people giving momentum to the news about your organization.

5 Traits Weak Leaders Have in Common with Jellyfish

Unfortunately, some leaders resemble jellyfish in how they lead, or, more accurately, don’t lead. Here are 5 traits some leaders have in common with a jellyfish.

What a Nursing Home Taught Me About Leadership

For the past two months, I have visited my nearly 100-year-old mother in a nursing home every day. My visits surprisingly reminded me of these four leadership lessons.

What It Takes to Actually Be Liked at Work

Likability isn't something you are born with; it's something you build. And it starts with these four behaviors.

Is It Ok to Have Fun at Work? The Truth Behind Culture & Retention

Not only can work be fun – it should be fun. A fun work culture helps with recruitment, reduces stress, and aids in the retention of staff. Here are 5 ways you can create fun at work.

What Would an MRI Scan of Your Leadership Reveal?

Doctors use MRIs to find problems before they become more serious. What if you could do the same for your leadership and organization? Here are the 5 areas to look out for.

Inaction Is Not Free: The Cost of Delay & Indecision

That decision you keep putting off? It's already costing you. Here’s what indecision is really taking from your organization.

Wanted: Exceptional Emerging Leaders

The pipeline of emerging leaders is shrinking, but the talent is still out there. You just have to know where to look and be willing to invest. Here's how.

The Different Types of Employees & How to Manage Each One

Do you actually know who is carrying your team and who is quietly dragging it down? Here are the four types of employees on every team and how to manage each one.

Panel Discussions

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Generational Dynamics in the Workplace [VIDEO]

For the first time in history, the U.S. workforce is evenly represented by four generations. In this discussion, our team explores how leaders can improve communication, culture, and performance across age groups.

How to Build a Business, Lead with Faith, & Let Go Well [VIDEO]

How do you build a business without losing what matters most? Mike and Heidi Sterlacci share their journey of building CoVerica, staying grounded in their faith, and preparing the next generation to lead.

Current Trends Leaders Are Facing [VIDEO]

Our consultants explore the dynamic nature of trends leaders are facing today. From the urgency of succession planning amidst demographic shifts to the evolving impact of AI, they discuss into how leaders can adapt and thrive in an era of constant change.

The Most Important Traits of Effective Leaders [VIDEO]

Everyone wants to know that magic formula for what makes a great leader. Listen as our experienced consultants discuss traits of effective leaders, obstacles that can hinder their success, and how targeted coaching can be used to develop leaders.

Navigating the Challenges of a Family-Owned Business [VIDEO]

Here are the biggest challenges family businesses face, the mistakes they often make, what contributes to healthy dynamics, and how to improve the likelihood of a successful succession.

Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life [VIDEO]

Approaching retirement can cause both anxiety and excitement as people think about what the second half of their life will look like. Here’s what causes the fear, what changes to expect, and what questions to ask as you approach retirement.

Why You Should Start Planning for Succession Now [VIDEO]

There are 10,000 people turning 65 every day in the U.S. This means there are leaders from every type of organization who will eventually need to hand over the reins of leadership to their successor. Here’s why some leaders avoid succession planning, when you should start, and how to do it successfully.

Trust Is Declining: Here’s How to Rebuild It [VIDEO]

Trust in many forms of authority has been deeply eroding. Listen as our consultants discuss the state of trust today, how leaders should approach the lack of trust, and how to begin rebuilding it.

How to Handle Stress & Burnout at Work [VIDEO]

Stress is a silent epidemic that has a measurable negative impact. Listen as our experienced consultants discuss how stress expresses itself and what leaders can do to address it.

How Emotional Intelligence Enhances Leadership [VIDEO]

We have seen many leaders fail or not reach their potential because they could not relate well to others. This is often referred to as lacking emotional intelligence or EQ. Here’s how to strengthen your EQ.

How to Attract & Retain Employees [VIDEO]

40% of employees are at least somewhat likely to leave their current job in the next 3–6 months. Here are the most important things you can do to attract and retain top talent.

Managing Conflict in the Workplace [VIDEO]

Conflict feels like it is everywhere right now, and many leaders are spending an excessive amount of time resolving conflict among their staff and customers. Listen as our consultants talk about the conflict trends they are seeing and how to best manage conflict in the workplace.

Articles

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Focus and Finish: The Difference between Flashlight Leadership and Laser Leadership

Jay Desko, Ph.D.

Even though a flashlight and a laser both use light, they differ in concentration and intensity. Highly focused light beams are powerful, but a flashlight doesn’t have the same strength. Leaders who want to make the greatest impact will strive towards being a laser rather than a flashlight. This article will help you consider how to be a laser leader by focusing yourself and finishing what is most important.

Download the article here.

Leaders Behaving Badly: 14 Leadership Behaviors that Cause Harm

By Jay Desko, Ph.D.

In our many years of consulting experience, we have come to realize that healthy leaders are not super-human, but they are different. And leaders who manifest bad behaviors are not all bad, but they can cause harm to themselves, others, and the health of their organization. Leaders are human with inherent talents and gifts as well as limitations and weaknesses. We have identified and explained the top fourteen bad behaviors that harm a leader’s effectiveness and influence. As you continue reading, look for one or two with which you may personally identify.

Download the article here.

Team Up! Creating High Performance Teams

Jay Desko, PhD.

Regardless of whether you have one person at the top or you have a team of people who share leadership, today’s complexity necessitates plurality. If you want to succeed, you will need a team of skilled people who are working together. One talented leader is no longer sufficient.

Download the article here.

Books

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GUIDE – Building the Team. Setting the Direction. Fulfilling the Mission.

$16.99

By Jay R. Desko, Ph.D. & David A. Marks, D.Min.
2018

Most leaders, in moments of transparency, reveal both their passion for making a difference in the lives of others as well as the challenges they experience along the journey – defining a vision, building a team, leading change, and implementing priorities. Welcome to Leadership. You are not alone! Leadership is energizing, yet hard work! And it is better done with a guide that can help you avoid the pain and see greater accomplishment. This book will guide you as you navigate the challenges common to leading.

ISBN: 978-1-5323-6399-3

FIT – Improving the Leadership Health of Yourself and Others: Second Edition

$16.99

By Jay R. Desko, Ph.D. & David A. Marks, D.Min.
2025

Becoming a fit leader doesn’t happen by accident. But once you become a healthy and effective leader, it is easy to slide into bad habits. Before you know it, you’re back down to lifting five pounds when your team members need you to be lifting 50! This book will help you get your leadership back into shape by focusing on your health and your team’s health.

ISBN: 979-8-3507-4101-8

CHECK – Practical Checklists For Leaders: Third Edition

$16.99

By Jay R. Desko, Ph.D. & David A. Marks, D.Min.
2022

Sometimes simple is not only good…it’s right. As leaders, a simple checklist can help us identify what needs to be done, remind us to do it, and ensure that it gets done. These steps are important if we want others to have confidence that we know what we are doing and that we do what we say. This book is designed to help you check your leadership in the areas of communication, character and credibility, critical thinking, emotional and relational growth, teamwork and supervision, and planning and organizing! This revised edition includes new and updated content and design.

ISBN: 978-1-7923-9771-4

MOVE – Practical Action for Daily Leadership

$16.99

By Jay R. Desko, Ph.D.
2021

Have you ever noticed how successful people have certain things in common? They take risks. They make hard decisions. They seek advice. They fix problems. They build teams. They take action. In other words, they make a MOVE! It does not matter what you lead, where you lead, or who you lead, you are expected to take action each and every day. This book is a collection of 52 articles covering a variety of topics to help you make positive movement in your life and leadership. As you lead, just be sure to MOVE!

ISBN: 978-1-7923-5019-1

STRETCH – 26 Weeks of Leadership Exercises

$16.99

By Jay R. Desko, Ph.D.
2023

What does every member of a work team have in common with an exceptional athlete? A desire to be their best. And to be their best requires the discipline to exercise and practice. In other words, they have to stretch themselves! In this book, we highlight 26 skills that will help leaders and team members who are striving to grow even stronger. This spiral-bound workbook can be used individually or with a team, and only requires the investment of about 60 minutes every two weeks. It is never too late (or too early) to start stretching your management muscles.

ISBN: 979-8-3507-1599-6

Jay Desko, Ph.D.

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