Businesses today seem to be either scaling rapidly or fighting to remain competitive. A Fractional COO provides the executive leadership needed to navigate both, offering strategic oversight, team development, financial optimization, and operational improvements without the cost of a full-time hire. Whether refining workflows, managing key projects, or aligning marketing and technology with business goals, a Fractional COO delivers immediate impact and long-term stability. In this post, I break down how this role can transform your business and set you up for sustainable success.

We are excited to announce that Bryony Schwan, MS, IAC (she/her) has joined Rysing Tide as a leadership coach and organizational development consultant. With over 30 years of experience founding, scaling, and advising mission-driven organizations, Bryony brings a wealth of expertise in leadership development, strategic planning, and culture transformation. Her ability to help leaders and teams navigate change, build resilience, and drive meaningful impact makes her a perfect fit for our work at Rysing Tide.

In leadership, it’s easy to focus on the obvious problem employees—those "forest fires" whose blatant missteps demand immediate action. However, there’s a more subtle but equally damaging threat: the slow burns. These are the employees who deliver results but quietly erode company culture with toxic behaviors that go unchecked. While it may seem easier to overlook their negative impact for the sake of productivity, this tolerance can seriously undermine team morale, trust, and collaboration. In this blog, we explore why addressing slow burns is essential to protect your culture and ensure the long-term health of your organization.

This post defines workplace culture and explores how trust is the key to cracking the culture code, serving as the foundation for thriving, high-performance organizations. By building a culture rooted in trust, leaders can attract and retain top talent, fuel long-term success, and create an environment where employees feel valued, empowered, and driven to achieve shared goals. Filled with actionable insights, this post offers strategies for developing a culture where both employees and businesses can flourish together.