Client results
Leadership work that changes how work gets done.
Stories of accomplished leaders and teams turning honest insight into stronger alignment, better decisions, and results that hold up over time.
Across these engagements
Featured story · Leadership transition
Turning a high-stakes transition into forward momentum.
After the departure of a trusted leader who had shaped Northwestern Bank for 47 years, the incoming leadership team needed to carry forward a legacy while finding its own voice.
“Dan doesn’t just offer advice—he listens deeply, asks the right questions, and empowers you to find solutions that align with your values and goals.”
Tracey Smiskey, CEO, Northwestern Bank
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Executive team development
Building a culture of collaboration.
A more aligned, collaborative executive team with shared leadership norms and a deeper commitment to continuous development.
“As a result of this work, the Nesnah executive team works more collaboratively.”
Laura Hutzler, Chief Human Resources Officer
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Succession + executive development
Preparing a leadership team for succession.
A closer, more aligned executive team and noticeable shifts in leadership and decision-making approaches.
“The executive coaching helped prepare our team for the challenges of succession planning.”
Kevin Renley, President
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Executive team development
From individual focus to one leadership team.
Stronger alignment and engagement made the executive leadership team more effective than it has ever been.
“The executive leadership team is more effective than it has ever been.”
Chris Conard, President
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Leader development
Leader Development at ITW.
The Operations Team was managed with a traditional approach prior to 2016. Joe Weiss, Director of Operations, wanted to raise the bar on leader communication, team development, employee development, and problem-solving.
“Up the game in leader communication, team development, employee development, and problem-solving.”
Joe Weiss, Director of Operations, ITW
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Employee, leader & organizational development
Building leadership capability through rapid growth.
Newly promoted leaders gained practical tools for daily challenges, clearer visibility into engagement, and a deeper understanding of how to leverage team strengths.
“Dan’s vision of leadership aligned with our company’s vision that we wanted to see in our leaders.”
Tim Hays, HR Manager
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About the coach
Dan Burns
Dan Burns is the founder of Burns Leadership Consulting and an executive leadership coach who partners with senior leaders and leadership teams to improve performance, alignment, and organizational health. Dan has coached hundreds of leaders across industries and brings more than 20 years of leadership and management experience along with 15 years as a faculty member teaching leadership and management. He holds an MBA in Organizational Development from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire and is an ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC). Dan is also certified in leading leadership assessment tools including Hogan Assessments, Gallup CliftonStrengths, and Wiley DiSC.
Founder & Principal Coach, Burns Leadership Consulting · ICF PCC · Co-Active CPCC
What clients notice
“Dan’s personable and innovative approach is second to none. He deploys the latest in tools and technology that makes learning interesting and drives results.”
Chris Conard, President, PMI
The pattern beneath the stories
The best result is not dependence on a consultant. It is greater capacity inside the organization.
These outcomes are not accidents. Every engagement is grounded in our LeadershipOS™ framework and tracked through LeadershipPulse™, so alignment, decision-making, engagement, and results stay visible and connected—not left to guesswork.
Alignment holds under pressure.
Decisions get sharper and faster.
Engagement becomes something you can see.
Results carry forward after the engagement ends.
The next conversation
What result matters most for your leaders?
Let’s talk about the opportunity or challenge in front of your organization.
Schedule a conversation ↗