Clear Path Coaching and Consulting

I help small business owners who are great at their craft but feel overwhelmed as their business grows. When you go from doing the work you love to managing a team and navigating the complexities of a growing business, it’s easy to lose control. I guide business owners to build a clear plan that brings everything into focus. With a solid foundation and a team aligned with your vision, you’ll stop feeling like you’re putting out fires and start leading confidently—knowing exactly where your business is headed.

President & Chief Executive Coach

Executive Evolution Podcast

Host of the Executive Evolution podcast. Sharing the lessons learned by successful leaders to educate the next generation of leadership. So many leaders learned lessons the hard way. I created this podcast so you don't have to.

Host

Q & A on Breakthrough Leadership

Co Host

Butler University

Work with students in the MBA Program at Butler University Lacy School of Business. Focus is to supplement and personalize in-class learning, help to sustain positive change, and support new ways of thinking about situations. Additionally, I support student implementation of the MBA 510 LDP, participate in class as requested by the professor, and support Butler's leadership competencies.

MBA Program Executive Coach

Student Connections

Launched a wholly-owned subsidiary of Strada Education Network. Led a growing team of professionals and call center staff on the journey from startup to sale. Increased revenue by 900% in three years and grew the team from 25 to 70 employees. The company was named aTop Workplace in Indianapolis.

President

Strada Education Network (formerly USA Funds)

Senior Vice President, Business Development

Common Sense Student Loans

Providing consulting services to the higher education industry and serving as a guide for families negotiating the college financial aid process. Writing on student loan issues at www.commonsensestudentloans.com

Principal

JPMorgan Chase

Served as Senior Vice President – Sales, Customer Support, and Servicer Management for Chase Student Loans, a provider of  Private consumer loans to college and university students. Lead an organization of 65 in supporting sales, customer support, communications, and vendor management. Report directly to President, Student Loans with charter to analyze operations and make/execute data-driven decisions targeting reduced costs and increased efficiency for organization.

Senior Vice President

Served as Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing with responsibilities for Affinity and Branch Sales teams, e-Commerce and International Student Loan Business, in addition to Campus Sales. Managed and built performance-based culture for all units.

Senior Vice President, National Sales and Marketing

ELM Resources

Served as Board Member in a variety of roles including one year as Vice Chairman.

Member, Board of Directors

Consumer Bankers Association Education Funding Committee

Served as member of the CBA Education Funding Committee representing JP Morgan Chase.

Committee Member

I equip accidental leaders with the leadership confidence, team-building expertise, and business acumen they need to build successful companies - No MBA required.

Your business is growing. But leading it doesn’t always feel clear, calm, or in control.

I work with small business owners and nonprofit leaders who are great at what they do, but never planned to become “the boss.” As their teams grow, so do the challenges they face. That’s where I come in.

I coach leaders who feel stuck in the weeds, pulled in every direction, or unsure how to lead at the next level. I help them shift from reacting to leading with intention.

My approach is simple. I provide clear frameworks that simplify planning, communication, and leadership development. These tools help you focus on what matters, delegate what doesn’t, and build a business that works without creating more work for you.

What’s it like to work with me?

I listen closely. I ask tough, honest questions. I bring structure without rigidity, and I create a space where you can be real about what’s working and what’s not. I’ve walked in your shoes and bring over 25 years of business and leadership experience to help you stay focused and follow through.

You don’t need a complicated playbook. You need a simple plan, strong habits, and a leadership mindset that matches the business you’re building.

That’s what I help you create.

If you’re ready to stop leading by instinct and start leading by design, send me a message here on LinkedIn or go to my website www.clearpathcoaches.com.

Craig P. Anderson

A client told me this year, “Craig, if you ever quit coaching, I’d hire you tomorrow.” 

But I’m not quitting. Because here’s what leaders like you accomplished in 2025:

⭐ A great operator who kept missing on interviews landed the leadership role he’d chased for years. We turned a list of stories into a tight narrative and prep plan he could deliver under pressure.

⭐ A newly promoted senior leader did a fast “tune-up” on vision, communication, and building alignment. His team now moves faster with less rework and clearer ownership.

⭐ An Executive Director navigated a long-tenured employee’s decline. We built a fair, respectful path that protected the mission and the culture.

This work matters because leaders shouldn’t need complex playbooks to earn credibility, align people, and finish important work. You need a simple plan, visible momentum, and a team that owns outcomes. 

So, yeah, I’m not ready to go back to work for someone, because this work is too important.

Where do you want to improve first in 2026: decisions, delegation, or communication? Comment with one word.

Executive Coach & Speaker for C-Suite and Senior Leaders | From Reactive To Focused | Strategic Planning, Delegation, Team Alignment | New Role & Expanded Scope Transitions | Executive Evolution Podcast Host

Executive coaching is not a penalty box for failing leaders.

Most of the executives I meet are not failing.
You are working hard. You care. You are just tired of sorting through everyone else’s agenda.

That is where coaching comes in.
You get one voice whose only job is your success.
No politics. No hidden agenda. No one to impress.

In this short video, I talk about why coaching is not about “fixing” you. It is about helping you:

•	Get clear on what success looks like for you
•	Cut through the noise and make better decisions
•	Build a path that matches your goals and your values

If you are ready for that kind of partnership, let’s talk.

Schedule an Executive Strategy Call and we will map out your next 90 days of focused leadership work together. Link in the first comment.

Coaching should not make you dependent on your coach
A lot of leaders think coaching is about getting answers.

“Tell me what to do. Fix this problem. Solve my team.”

Good coaching does something very different. It trains you to trust your own judgment.

Over time, coaching should help you:

- See your patterns with more honesty
- Make clearer decisions under pressure
- Have the tough conversations you keep avoiding
- Lead your team with confidence, not second-guessing

My job as a coach is not to sit on your shoulder forever like Jiminy Cricket. 

My job is to help you build the skills and self-awareness to lead well when I am not in the room.

As you think about your 2026 goals, ask yourself: "Where do I need to rely on myself more as a leader?"

Tell me your answer in the comments.

#leadershipcoaching #executivecoach #businessowner #selfawareness

Needing a leadership coach does not mean you are failing. It usually means you are finally serious about growing.

The crazy thing about being a leader is that you're constantly surrounded by people, yet you can still feel isolated and alone. Everyone who comes to you has some agenda. 

A leadership coach can be the one person in your career whose only interest is your success. The person who helps you get to clarity, stay focused on your goals, and keep you focused on what's important.

My coach is invaluable to me. They help me with perspective, build my self-awareness, and ask me the right questions.

As you enter 2026, think seriously about connecting with a coach. You'll be amazed by the results.

#ExecutiveCoaching #LeadershipDevelopment #ProfessionalGrowth #LeadershipCoaching #LeadWithPurpose

Stop trying to “finish 2025 strong.” Start building a stronger 2026.

There are five weeks left in 2025. One or two vanish to holidays. The question isn’t “How do I finish 2025?” It’s “How do I launch into 2026?”

Early in my leadership career, I’d hit this season and feel regret. Goals missed. Issues unresolved. (And then I'd make myself crazy trying to cram it all in. )

Why? Too often I lacked the courage, confidence, or leadership skills to make the moves that mattered.

The truth? I needed more confidence, better focus, and better leadership skills.

So I got serious.

I found mentors. I studied. I practiced.
I added real accountability with peers I trusted.

What changed?

- I had the tough conversations I’d been avoiding.
- I watched the leading indicators and stepped in sooner.
- I still made mistakes, but progress beat perfection. My career moved.

Want 2026 to be your leadership year? Join me live:
Wednesday, December 10, 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET.
Comment “Invite” or DM me “Invite” and I’ll send the details.

Stay Focused

#leadership #smallbusiness #management

“I don’t need 1:1s. I talk to my team every day.”

That sounds true. It’s not.

I worked with a leadership team drowning in meetings. Busy all day. Not enough done. The problem wasn’t effort. It was lack of focus.

A real 1:1 isn’t casual chatter. It’s a weekly coaching ritual. Fifteen to twenty minutes. Same agenda. Clear commitments. You give clarity on what matters and real-time feedback on how they’re doing.

Run this 1:1:

- Review the team’s top priorities.
- Confirm their personal priorities that drive those goals.
- Discuss one growth move: skill, system, or relationship.

It’s not about “checking in.” It’s about moving forward. The right work gets done. Alignment holds. People grow.

Would you like my 1:1 agenda and notes template? Let me know in the comments.

Stay Focused

#leadership #management #peopledevelopment

One of the things that held me back the most as a leader was that I wanted to be liked. And because I wanted to be liked, I didn't want to give anything other than positive feedback. If you did something wrong, I had a great strategy - I ignored it and hoped they'd figure it out.

<Narrator: They never figured it out.>

What I needed was a way to give feedback without it feeling like I was breaking a relationship. And after a lot of reading and coaching, I developed a feedback strategy. 

Check out this week's Executive Evolution newsletter to learn more.

#Leadership #PeopleManagement #ExecutiveEvolution #Feedback

Leaders don’t avoid feedback because they don’t care. They avoid it because it feels like conflict. But what if feedback wasn’t a confrontation at all

Open article: Treat Feedback As A Service, Not A Showdown by Craig P. Anderson • 2 min read

Treat Feedback As A Service, Not A Showdown

Before you talk to the team, get clear in your own head. 

When you have a clear and concise vision and three financial priorities defined, your team will run more smoothly. 

Those priorities will drive your meetings, feed your delegation, and save your calendar. 

Want to know more? Join me on December 10, registration details in the comments.

Leaders do not miss Q1 because of talent. They miss it to drift. If you are second-guessing under pressure or losing time to rework, this week’s Executive Evolution shows how to set execution-ready priorities your team can follow.

In the article:

 • What “execution-ready” priorities look like
 • A simple filter to choose what matters for Q1
 • How to make the plan visible and run a light cadence that gets work done

Live session next week: Stop the Drift: Set Three Priorities and Build Accountability for Q1 2026 Wednesday, December 10, at noon Eastern. In 45 minut

Open article: Decide with confidence under pressure: stop the drift before January. by Craig P. Anderson • 2 min read

Decide with confidence under pressure: stop the drift before January.

Most leaders say they will get serious about growth "next year."
Then January hits, the calendar fills, and nothing really changes.

If you want to lead differently in 2026, the next 6 weeks matter.

You do not need a big reinvention. You need a short, focused season of practice on the right skills:

✅ Self-awareness
✅ Difficult conversations
✅ Planning and focus
✅ Decisive action
✅ Feedback habits

If you build these skills now, your 2026 self will walk into the year calmer, clearer, and more confident.

Start building the leader you want to be today. Successful leaders do not wait for the calendar to save them.

Which of these five skills will your future self thank you for practicing first?

#leadership #executiveleadership #smallbusinessowner #leadershipdevelopment

Your 2026 Leadership Success Starts Now!

It’s not too late to align your business for 2026. But you have to start now.
In organizations under 100 people, the biggest drag on results is misalignment. 

✅ Too many priorities. 
✅ No clear owners. 
✅ Confusing meetings.

The result? Decisions stall, the wrong work gets done, and goals get missed.
If that sounds familiar, here’s how to fix it in December:

Pick a short list of Q1 priorities. Make each measurable with a number and a date.

🎯 Assign one owner per priority. No co-ownership.
🎯 Use a simple meeting rhythm to stay aligned and accountable.
🎯 Hold positive, forward-looking conversations about delegation and accountability.

Do this, and you’ll hit goals faster, finish projects on time, and help your team feel what success looks like.

Want help applying this now?

I’m teaching a live webinar on Wednesday, December 10: simple tools to align your team and set up a strong 2026. You’ll leave with actions you can take in December.

Details and registration link in the first comment.

Many leaders are just starting to think about 2026.

If you had to pick one area to grow in over the next few months, which would move the needle most for you as a leader?

Vote, then drop a comment with one specific situation where this shows up for you. Your future self will be glad you named it.

#leadership #executiveleadership #smallbusinessleaders #leadershipdevelopment

Which leadership skill will matter most for your 2026 goals?

North Valley Research

North Valley Research (NVR) is the world’s largest provider of control systems for Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWP). In addition to MEWP control systems, NVR provides cutting-edge solutions for         on-highway and off-highway electric equipment, construction equipment, and agricultural equipment. 

NVR was founded in 2009 in Silicon Valley. Today, the company has a global headquarters in Jinan, China, and a North American headquarters in Seattle, WA.

NVR operates two state-of-the-art production facilities in China and Mexico and maintains a robust global presence with sales and service hubs in nine key cities worldwide, ensuring reliable service for customers across the globe.

Guided by its mission, "Better technology serves more people," NVR strives to be a global pioneer in intelligent controls, electrification, and IoT advancements.

Learn more @ www.nvr-us.com

Senior Sales Director - Global

Cummins Inc.

Cummins Filtration is a global power leader that designs, manufactures and sells air, fuel, hydraulic and lube filtration, as well as chemical technology products for diesel and gas-powered equipment around the world.

History of Innovation
From the founding of the company in 1958, Cummins Filtration has led the industry with innovative products designed to increase vehicle uptime, optimize engine performance, reduce environmental impact and provide longer life for equipment to protect the owner's investment. Today, Cummins Filtration holds over 200 active global patents for product technology and we continue to push the envelope of design and performance. Through the years, Cummins Filtration has won industry and customer awards for our product technology, including advancements such as our proprietary NanoNet® and StrataPore® medias, advanced Venturi nozzle design on lube filtration systems, patented Spiratec™ technology which has taken centrifugal filtration efficiency to new levels, and our complete line of open and closed crankcase ventilation systems which have helped major OEMs meet ever-increasingly tough emission regulations.

Learn More: CumminsFiltration.com

Nothing Guards Like Fleetguard
Mile after mile. Hour after hour. Job after job. Customers around the world trust Fleetguard. With decades of experience and an ongoing commitment to innovation, we have over 9,000 products available, all designed to meet or exceed OE performance and quality. Our advanced media technology, proven through millions of miles of testing, reduces maintenance costs and downtime while extending equipment life. And our convenient app, how-to videos and dealer locator make it easy for customers to find what they need and use our products with confidence.

Learn More: Fleetguard.com

Account Manager & Business Development Manager - North America | Cummins Filtration

MacAllister Machinery Co., Inc.

MacAllister Machinery Co. Inc. is the leading Caterpillar dealership in Indiana and Michigan with 30 locations and growing. We supply and repair a wide range of high quality new, used, and rebuilt equipment from Caterpillar and 50+ other manufacturers.

Founded in 1945, MacAllister Machinery is a family owned company. The company headquarters is located in Indianapolis, IN.

MacAllister CAT - www.macallister.com

Michigan CAT - www.michigancat.com

Sales & Marketing | Power Systems

Indianapolis Colts

• Managed 35+ corporate sponsorship agreements totaling $3,500,000+ in annual revenue 

• Managed all assets of each partnership agreement to ensure timely and accurate fulfillment

• Managed planning and execution of my partner assets, events, digital/social campaigns, etc.
  
• Assisted in the creation of new marketing plans and business opportunities for sales managers 

• Worked daily in a CRM system to track all sponsorship inventory, revenue reporting, etc. 

• Created annual proof of performance reports and fulfillment presentations for partners

Partnership Marketing Manager

Denver Broncos Football Club

•Managed the Mile High Mountain Village – The Broncos pre-game stadium tailgate entertainment– Oversaw all functions of this experience including sales, marketing, and game day execution 
- Increased profit by 130% from the 2016 season generating $51,000+ in revenue

• Managed the Broncos Bunch Kids Club – Developed new marketing strategies to increase membership, planned and coordinated Broncos Bunch related events, and oversaw fulfillment
 - Increased membership by 700+ children generating $17,000+ in revenue

• Managed, coordinated, and executed 70+ corporate partner activations at the 2017 Broncos Training Camp helping set the all-time fan attendance record in Broncos training camp history
(54,000 & 7,085 fans single day)
 
• Supervised a staff of 16 part-time members on game-days and various other Broncos marketing and sponsorship events utilizing skills in interpersonal communication, delegation, as well as team leadership

•Established new marketing data capture procedures that increased results by an average of 50% as well as automated the entry process into the CRM database which significantly increased data accuracy

•Assisted with event planning, production and execution of Broncos marketing initiatives as well as partner sponsored events including Broncos training camp, USAA NFL Boot Camp, and the Broncos 7K & Fit Expo

•Assisted with tracking all account inventory across all mediums, including in-stadium, print, radio, television, digital and game-day activation

•Assisted the activation and sales teams in fulfillment of contracts and with preparation of end of season proof of performance recaps for our corporate partners 

•Responsible for entertaining and hosting high-level corporate executives in a suite on game days

Marketing and Partnership Activation

University of Florida

• Assisted with executing marketing and promotions strategies for the University's 21 varsity sports

• Assisted with in-game execution, on field presentations, and fan engagement initiatives

• Distributed promotional marketing materials at athletic events and throughout the community
 
• Conducted grassroots marketing initiatives on campus and throughout the community

• Assisted with pre-game preparation, event  set-up, and event tear down

• Strived to create world class in-game experiences for fans and student athletes at all events

Marketing and Promotions - University Athletic Association

Under Armour

Marketing & Promotions Assistant

• 2016 NFL Combine – Assisted UA sports marketing and football personnel in organizing and distributing official combine apparel and products to all players participating. Also worked in both of Under Armour's players only suites promoting the brand and assisting with player needs

•2015 UA All America Baseball Game – Assisted UA baseball and global events personnel with planning and the execution of all pre-game,  in-game, and on-field promotions at Wrigley Field in Chicago, IL

•Escorted multiple mascots around ballpark for pictures, autographs, and various fan engagement 

•2015 Cal Ripken World Series – Promoted the UA brand through videos, presentations, product demonstrations, and delivered speeches to all CRWS players, coaches, and parents 

•2015 Yahoo Rivals 100 Five Star Challenge – Assisted UA football personnel in organizing and distributing UA apparel and products to all players and coaches participating

Sports Marketing 

• One of only 100 undergraduate and graduate students selected from more than 8,000 applicants to participate in UA’s elite Summer League Internship Program - 2017 voted #1 internship program in the USA by Forbes

• Served as a grassroots marketing coordinator for the UA North America Retail Marketing Team at the global corporate headquarters

• Created a detailed 2016 grassroots marketing strategy designed to amplify awareness of UA retail stores, drive traffic, and deliver a memorable consumer experience with the UA brand

• Created an automated events request process with the IT department to increase efficiency and effectiveness for all event requests from store managers and internal UA departments to the corporate retail marketing team

• Established new procedures and guidelines to assist retail store teammates with hosting in store events and sponsoring various community events

• Established grassroots marketing strategies and tactics for North America retail store managers

• Created a detailed scorecard to analyze and evaluate all grassroots marketing events
 
• Created a master calendar containing new store openings, federal, state, and local holidays, UA brand sponsored events, major selling holidays, and all major US sporting events

• Assisted in planning and executing new store openings in Branson, Missouri and Vancouver, Canada. I traveled to these new store openings and assisted in day to day operations for the grand opening weekend. I also assisted retail teammates with in store promotions and other in store events.

North America Retail Marketing Intern

Rawlings Sporting Goods

• One of only two candidates selected by Rawlings corporate marketing team to participate in this elite internship program

• Marketed, promoted,  advertised, and sold Rawlings baseball equipment and products on the Baseball Youth west coast experience tour

• Traveled on a mobile fan fest tour that toured the United States interacting with youth baseball players, parents, and fans at some of the largest youth baseball tournaments in the country

•  Specialized in face to face promotion of products, conducted research for Rawlings marketing team, gathered player and consumer  information for our CRM database, sold thousands of dollars’ worth of equipment, and educated consumers on various Rawlings baseball products

• Assisted the tour leader in organizing and planning travel to and from the various tournaments and cities, made hotel reservations, scheduled meals, and communicated with tournament directors in preparation of our arrival

Marketing Intern 

United States Marine Corps

• Received a Honorable Discharge & completed a combat deployment to Afghanistan in 2010

• Entrusted with regulating proper maintenance procedures for more than 3,000 pieces of equipment, which had a combined worth that totaled in the hundreds of millions of dollars

•  Analyzed maintenance data for readiness reporting of equipment, materials, and supplies to allow the top commanders to be informed of combat capabilities and deficiencies 

• Supervised all maintenance operations for an organization With 5 different companies consisting of 11 separate maintenance departments 

• Supervised in the execution of all areas pertaining to maintenance management to include programs in maintenance administration, personnel and training, records and reports, publication control, equipment availability, preventive maintenance checks and services, corrective maintenance, and supply support within my organization

• Implemented new standard operation procedures for all maintenance operations within my company

• Maintained equipment readiness steadily above 95 percent which consisted of more than 800 pieces of mission essential equipment

• Provided leadership, instruction, supervision, and mentorship for more than 25 personnel 

• Received numerous awards for outstanding job performance and leadership

Senior Manager of Maintenance Management Operations & Sergeant of Marines

I am a highly motivated and results-driven sales & marketing professional, with 18+ years of professional experience. As a first-generation college graduate and proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps, I bring a unique blend of experiences, leadership, discipline, and commitment to everything I do.

My leadership style is rooted in my military background, where I lead by example and consistently exceed goals and expectations. Throughout my career, I have been recognized as a transformational leader, inspiring teams towards excellence. I take tremendous pride in leading teams and individuals to success. I thoroughly enjoy mentoring and motivating the next generation of exceptional leaders.  

Educationally, I earned an MBA from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, an MS from the University of Florida, and a BS from Ball State University, where I graduated Summa Cum Laude. 

My career highlights include achieving exceptional results in diverse roles within global companies such as Cummins, Caterpillar, Under Armour, and the National Football League (NFL) with the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts.
These roles have honed my sales & marketing expertise, offering invaluable insights in a wide array of industries.  I am deeply committed to continual improvement, constantly acquiring new skills, and fostering growth. 

My areas of expertise include: 
• Leading, mentoring, & motivating teams & individuals to exceed expectations
• Developing effective sales & marketing strategies
• Driving revenue generation
• Executing integrated sales & marketing campaigns
• Spearheading business development initiatives 
• Excelling in account & sales pipeline management

Gallup Top 5 Strengths:  Achiever | Responsibility | Focus | Discipline | Competition

Myers-Briggs Personality Type (MBTI):  ESTJ

taplio

The Battle

Craig P. Anderson

Anthony J. Marquez, MBA

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The Battle

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Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Craig P. Anderson's LinkedIn Performance

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