Doug Sundheim

Doug Sundheim

Doug Sundheim Biography & Books

Speaker Biography:

Doug Sundheim is a leadership and organizational consultant with over 20 years of experience. He works with leaders and teams of Fortune 500 companies and entrepreneurial firms to help them maximize their effectiveness. His clients include Morgan Stanley, Harvard Management Company, The Chubb Corporation, Citigroup, University of Chicago, and Procter & Gamble among others. Prior to his work in leadership and organizational consulting, Doug spent several years in the Internet strategy field and started a 100-person catering company. Doug holds a BS from Cornell University and an MA in Adult Learning & Leadership from Columbia University. He lives in Westchester, NY with his wife and three sons.

Doug is a regular contributor to Harvard Business Review and previously Fast Company.

Reviews:

From Sherwin Williams to Moo.com, Doug Sundheim is onto something here: your work is worth fighting for. A worthy read for everyone in your organization.

-Seth Godin, Author, The Icarus Deception

The risk-taking concepts in this book lie at the heart of effective leadership. Using case studies and stories from executives who have ‘been there, done that,’ Doug Sundheim teaches us that sometimes the most dangerous thing to do—in business and life—is to play it safe.

-Marshall Goldsmith, million-selling author of the New York Times bestsellers MOJO and What Got You Here Won’t Get You There

Sundheim delivers a message that every business needs to hear right now: excessive risk will kill you, but so will complacency. . . . If you’re charged with driving growth in your organization, buy this book—but more importantly, use it

-Jed Hartman, Group Publisher, Fortune & CNNMoney.com

A spectacular book! The stories were powerful, the advice was crystal clear, and every few pages called me to action. I have bookmarked more pages in Taking Smart Risks than I have in any book since reading Peter Drucker’s classics.

-Michael Hejtmanek, President & CEO, Hasselblad Bron Inc.

Doug Sundheim does an excellent job of demonstrating not only how to take smart risks, but also how to lead the process of risk-taking—a critical skill set for leaders today.

-Cindy Zollinger, President & CEO, Cornerstone Research

A compelling case for why smart risk taking is so important in today’s fast-paced, uncertain world.

-Willie Pietersen, Professor, Columbia Business School; former CEO, Tropicana and Seagram USA

Books:

  • TAKING SMART RISKS: How Sharp Leaders Win When Stakes Are High (McGraw-Hill)
  • THE 25 BEST TIME MANAGEMENT TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES, coauthored with Pamela Dodd (Peak Performance Press)

Speaking Topics:

  • Currently Doug speaks primarily about “creating a culture of smart risk taking in your organization.” The talk focuses on practical strategies for reducing fear and increasing experimentation to drive innovation and growth.

Speaking History: (partial)

  • Doug has delivered customized versions of his talk on smart risk taking at Procter & Gamble, Citigroup, and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem