Execution Eats Ideas for Breakfast

^{This 3-minute read brought to you by the team at Rogue Pine}

Most leaders don’t have a talent problem.

They have a clarity problem.

That was the central theme in our conversation with Gene Kim, co-founder of Karisma Group LLC and one of the sharper innovative minds we’ve met this year. 

Companies large and small often blame the market for their hiring and growth challenges. 

But as Gene points out, what looks like a talent shortage is usually a symptom of something deeper: unclear priorities, misaligned culture, or a lack of structured execution.

In other words, the problem isn’t outside the business. It’s inside the system.

Control the Controllables

Gene’s view lines up with something we teach in youth sports: control the controllables. 

In business, just like with kids on a ballfield, most of what matters sits squarely within leadership’s reach. 

You can control culture. You can control how you define talent. You can control the processes that shape performance.

What you can’t control is how a single hire acts, works, and responds.

But you can build the conditions where they have the opportunity to thrive.

This shift—from external blame to internal ownership—is where real growth begins.

Frameworks Are How Execution Scales

One of the most fascinating parts of our discussion was Gene’s approach to the “Jobs To Be Done” innovation framework. Rather than forcing a new methodology on clients, he blends it with the strategies they already have. 

That hybrid model gives teams a data-driven way to decide:

• What to do first

• What matters most

• Where to allocate time and resources

It’s not theory for theory’s sake. Frameworks are how execution becomes repeatable.

The Real Problem Is Under the Floorboards

Every leader knows the moment: you start a project thinking you’re solving one issue, only to discover three more underneath. 

Much like those home-renovation shows where a simple kitchen fix becomes a complete renovation overhaul, companies often misdiagnose symptoms as root causes.

Gene’s work helps teams uncover the real structural issues—the ones truly holding back growth.

Why Long-Term Support Matters

The days of “consulting by PowerPoint” are over. 

With markets accelerating, AI reshaping categories, and business models shifting faster than ever, teams need partners who stay in the fight. 

Gene’s long-term implementation model reflects this reality: sustained guidance isn’t optional anymore.

Growth today is a cycle of reinvention, not a single leap.

Call to Action

If your organization keeps solving the same surface-level problems, watch the full podcast for more insight. 

You can also schedule a call with Rogue Pine or connect with Gene on LinkedIn. 

Let us help you identify the root issue and design your next steps so you can help your company thrive.