About Dan McCarthy

I’ve Been Where You Are

I know what it’s like to carry the weight of a business, a team, a vision — and to wonder if you’re making the right call when the stakes are high. I’ve scaled companies, led teams through turnarounds, and sat in the CEO seat during some of the most unpredictable moments of my life and career.

Through it all, I’ve come to believe one thing:

Clarity isn’t a luxury — it’s leadership’s greatest advantage.

But clarity doesn’t just happen. It has to be earned — through honest reflection, sound frameworks, and courageous decisions. That’s what I help leaders and teams do.

The Turning Point

For years, I delivered results. I grew companies. I was seen as the one who could fix things. But somewhere along the way, I realized I was solving problems faster than I could process them — and making decisions that looked right on paper but didn’t feel aligned.

That insight sparked a deeper journey. I began asking new questions: Who am I as a leader? What do I actually believe in? What kind of company — and legacy — do I want to build?

The answers led me here. To a new kind of leadership practice. One rooted in strategy, yes — but also in authenticity, alignment, and ethical growth.

My Work Today

I work with CEOs, founders, leadership teams, and investors navigating pivotal moments. My clients are smart, driven, and committed — but they’re often overwhelmed, stuck, or at an inflection point where what got them here won’t get them there.

Whether they’re preparing for scale, recovering from breakdown, or seeking deeper alignment, I help them:

• Get clear on what matters most

• Navigate complexity without losing themselves

• Take meaningful, aligned action

I use structured frameworks built from two decades of experience — and tailor every engagement to the unique challenges at hand.

What I Believe

• Leadership is relational. You can’t lead well without understanding the impact you have on others.

• Clarity creates momentum. When people understand what matters and why, they move faster — together.

• Authenticity is power. Your most effective leadership style is the one that reflects who you truly are.

• Growth is internal before it’s external. Organizations evolve when their leaders do.

Outside the Work

I’m a writer, a mentor, a partner, and a father. I’ve built businesses, rebuilt confidence, and survived a few crucible moments of my own. I know what it’s like to feel both responsible and alone — and I know how powerful it is to have someone walk beside you with structure, insight, and real support.

This work matters to me because I’ve lived it. And because I believe that when leaders grow with integrity, the impact ripples outward — through teams, companies, and communities.

Let’s Connect

If something here resonates with you, let’s talk.