What if your team isn’t stuck because they’re resistant to change, but because they literally can’t imagine what’s next? In this episode of The Calm and Confident Leader, host Jason Stonehouse sits down with Dr. Rebecca Sutherns, CEO of Sage Solutions, strategist, and author of Elastic: Stretch Without Snapping or Snapping Back. Together, they unpack what Dr. Sutherns calls a failure of imagination, why teams stall out when they can’t see the future they’re being asked to build.
You’ll hear how imagination isn’t just for dreamers or creatives. It’s a strategic skill that can unlock innovation, build adaptability, and help teams move through uncertainty without losing heart. Rebecca shares her “hallway” metaphor for leading through transition, practical ways to help your team stay grounded when there’s “no door in sight,” and the surprising link between imagination, adaptability, and emotional resilience.
Whether you lead a business, a church, or a team that’s tired of hearing the same conversations on repeat, this episode will help you see why imagination might just be the leadership skill you’ve been missing.
Links Mentioned:
Free resources and the Elastic framework: RebeccaSutherns.com
The Total Package Playbook (from The Calm and Confident Leader)
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