Meet Your Coach Lynda McNutt Foster Named a Business Icon by Valley Business Front magazine, Lynda McNutt Foster, is a recognized leader in executive coaching and organizational transformation, specializing in guiding leaders and their teams through successful digital transformations. As the CEO of Cortex Leadership Consulting, Lynda combines years of research, training, and over 6,000 coaching sessions that provide leaders with practical strategies and tools for achieving impactful results. Lynda's strategic expertise and that of her expert team, extends beyond coaching, as she actively facilitates leaders in their digital transformation journeys through proven change management, talent acquisition, and training techniques. Her approach has been instrumental in transforming outcomes for numerous clients, ensuring that their organizations are equipped to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape. In addition to her role at Cortex, Lynda has contributed to Forbes and served as an expert commentator on WFXR's Coffee with a Coach series for more than four years. She has written over 400 articles, blending her own insights with the latest research in building culture, conversational and relationship intelligence, time mastery, team alignment, peak performance, engagement, and conflict resolution. Lynda is a certified coach in Emotional and Conversational Intelligence® and a Certified Trainer for The 3 Vital Questions®. She is an expert in integrating the sciences of DISC, Motivators (Driving Forces), and Cortex Team Strength assessments, providing predictive people analytics essential for organizational growth and role alignment. As the co-founder of goMonti, a technology company dedicated to personalized coaching and team engagement, she continues to push the boundaries of leadership development. Her work is further highlighted by her co-authorship of the whitepaper A Leader’s Guide to More Fresh, High Quality Ideas from Their Teams, published by the Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council. She is also the author of 4 Keys to More Effective Leadership and Time Mastery: 7 Simple Steps to Richer Outcomes, and the creator of the EPIC program for high performers, Leading a Winning Team, and Coaching for Peak Performance. Originally from Miami, FL, Lynda now calls Roanoke, VA home, where she balances her professional life with being a mother to an empowered daughter and wife to an incredibly supportive husband. She enjoys weekend gardening, day hiking, and bird watching. Lynda’s unique blend of strategic acumen and practical experience makes her an invaluable resource for leaders looking to drive successful digital transformations. Her insights into change management, talent acquisition, and leadership coaching have consistently delivered measurable results, making her a must-listen speaker at conferences. Contact I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect. lynda@cortexleadership.com

Meet Your Coach Kimberly Kolb Eakin Kimberly Kolb Eakin is a seasoned leadership consultant and founding leader at Cortex Leadership Consulting, with over 12 years of experience guiding organizations in leadership development, strategic growth, and organizational effectiveness. A retired U.S. Army Sergeant First Class and Competitive Marksmanship Athlete, Kimberly draws on her military background in marksmanship, tactical operations, and leadership training to help clients cultivate strong, cohesive teams. Kimberly’s expertise includes leading weekly mindfulness sessions with Social Noting Mindfulness and facilitating civil discourse and depolarization discussions with Braver Angels. Through a blend of DISC assessments, mindfulness techniques, and tailored consulting practices, Kimberly equips organizations to navigate complex challenges, build trust, and foster collaborative cultures. She was instrumental in the creation and direction of The Gauntlet, Virginia’s largest business program and competition, showcasing her commitment to supporting small businesses and innovation. At Cortex Leadership Consulting, Kimberly helps organizations strengthen their teams, create effective strategies, and build cultures of trust. Whether guiding emerging entrepreneurs through The Gauntlet, supporting leaders through DISC assessments, or facilitating mindfulness practices, she is passionate about helping others grow and thrive. Contact Let's connect. kimberly@cortexleadership.com

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EPIC Library - Ask the Expert Corcast Episodes EPIC Library - Ask the Expert Corcast Episodes EPIC Library - Ask the Expert Corcast Episodes EPIC Library - Ask the Expert Corcast Episodes Month 1 Communicating with Intention - DISC and Driving Forces Intentional Communication with DISC Kicking off the EPIC journey, DISC centers on building self-awareness through the DISC and Driving Forces assessment—a powerful tool for understanding personal communication styles and how they interact with others. You will learn how to recognize and adapt to different DISC styles, reduce friction, and strengthen trust. By applying these insights to real-world conversations, they’ll begin to turn everyday interactions into opportunities for clarity, collaboration, and connection. Listen to the DISC Corcast Episode: Refer back to this DISC Clue Sheet throughout the EPIC Program DISC Clue Sheet Month 2 Transitioning from a Problem to a Solutions Mindset Shifting from Problem to Solution We all know that great leadership isn't about reacting - it's about responding with clarity and confidence. But how often do you find yourself caught in stress, frustration, or self-doubt? Reactivity to Resilience will help you recognize when you're triggered, understand your DISC-driven stress responses, and apply proven techniques to shift from reactive to resilient. Listen to the Reactive to Resilient Corcast Episode: Read through the Many Faces of Victim, Persecutor, and Rescuer: Victim - Many Faces Persecutor - Many Faces Rescuer - Many Faces Month 3 Thinking with Intention - VIPE A Leader's Guide to Getting More, Fresh, High Qualitry Ideas from Their Teams Thinking with Intention challenges participants to elevate their strategic thinking by understanding how their natural strengths—and blind spots—impact team innovation. Using the VIPE model (Vision, Inclusion, Process, and Execution), they’ll assess their preferred thinking roles and how those influence decision-making and collaboration. Paired with insights from A Leader’s Guide to Getting More, Fresh, High Quality Ideas , participants will discover practical ways to foster creativity, avoid common thinking traps, and unlock better outcomes through intentional thought leadership. Listen to the Corcast Episode: Read the executive summary of A Leader's Guide to Getting More, Fresh, High Quality Ideas : Executive Summary Month 4 - Managing Priorities with Intention Time Mastery 2.0 Time Mastery 2.0 Managing Priorities with Intention - you'll take a deep dive into how you use your time—versus how you intend to use it. Grounded in the Time Mastery: 7 Simple Steps for Richer Outcomes framework, and Time Mastery 2.0, you’ll explore how to align daily actions with higher-level priorities. Through reflection and practical tools, this session helps you identify time wasters, clarify outcomes over tasks, and design a rhythm of work that drives meaningful progress—without burning out. Listen to the Time Mastery 2.0 Corcast Episode: Read Time Mastery 2.0 : Time Mastery 2.0 Month 5 Building Trust with Intention - Conversational Intelligence Conversational Intelligence In Month 5 of the EPIC Leadership Program- we'll explore how trust is built—or broken—through everyday interactions. You’ll examine the six key elements of trust: time, reliability, sincerity, competency, involvement, and standards—and how each one contributes to credibility and connection. Using the three levels of Conversational Intelligence®—transactional, positional, and transformational—you will learn how to shift conversations from simple exchanges to deeper, trust-building dialogue that strengthens team cohesion and performance. Listen to the CIQ Corcast Episode: 3 Levels of Conversation: 3 Levels of CIQ

Intentional Communication with DISC Cortex DISC Training is an interactive workshop designed to equip leaders with a deeper understanding of their strengths, challenges, and communication styles. Using personalized DISC reports, this session will explore behavioral preferences—both yours and those of others—while providing actionable strategies to enhance leadership effectiveness and team dynamics. Step One: Watch "What Is The DISC and Motivators Assessment, and Why Am I Taking It?" Step Two: Take Your DISC and Driving Forces Assessment. You'll get your results immediately after taking the assessment. PRINT & BRING TO CLASS. DISC Assessment Step Three: Review Your DISC Guide DISC Guide Step Four: Take the Cortex Team Strengths (VIPE) Assessment VIPE Assessment VIPE Scorecard

Measure your AI leadership. Measure your AI leadership. Measure your AI leadership. Measure your AI leadership. Expand your impact. Expand your impact. Expand your impact. Expand your impact. As part of your RBTC Emerging Tech Conference, you have complimentary access to the AI Leadership Snapshot - a quick, 5-minute reflection designed to help you lead AI change, utilize what you learn, and help us serve you better during the conference. Click HERE to Take Your Complimentary AI Leadership Snapshot Why Take the Snapshot? Leaders everywhere are being asked to do more with less. AI is rewriting how we plan, communicate, and lead. This quick snapshot helps you: Gauge your current use and ability to lead yourself and others with AI. Suggestions for going to the next level with AI in your role. Learn simple, safe ways to Co-Think with LLMs like Microsoft Copilot. Turn what you learn at the conference into real impact back at work. About This Collaboration About This Collaboration About This Collaboration About This Collaboration The AI Leadership Snapshot was developed through a partnership between RBTC and Cortex Leadership Consulting, a national firm specializing in leadership research, coaching, and applied AI for organizations. Together, we're helping local leaders turn learning into lasting impact - one insight at a time. This complimentary assessment is available only to registered RBTC Emerging Technology Conference attendees. All data collected is used solely to personalize your experience and provide aggregate insights that help RBTC design future programs that serve you better. Your data of information will not be sold or provided for any other purposes. scorecard

Five Years Later, This Leadership Training Stuck and It's Still Paying Off < Back Kathlynn Stone Mar 14, 2025 With clients across the globe, Cortex Leadership Consulting equips leaders with the skills to strengthen their teams, improve communication, and drive company success. One company that experienced this transformation firsthand is CMG Leasing in Blacksburg, Virginia. We connected recently, almost 5 years after their engagement with Cortex. It turns out that when Lynda Foster led a leadership training session for their team, it set in motion a fundamental shift in the way they worked together. Today, the lessons they learned are still shaping how they lead and communicate. Through Cortex, Sarah Boor and her team didn’t just learn about DISC behavioral assessments and the Dreaded Drama Triangle. They reshaped their entire approach to leadership, communication, and conflict resolution. A New Mindset on Conflict and Leadership For Sarah, the change was personal. She had always avoided conflict, doing whatever it took to sidestep difficult conversations. “I would do anything to avoid it,” she said. “But after working with Lynda, I realized that avoiding conflict only led to miscommunication, overpromising, and unnecessary stress.” DISC helped Sarah develop self-awareness and recognize her instinct to retreat when confronted with tension. She learned that for someone like her, the first step wasn’t engaging in conflict. It was simply staying still. “I had to practice pausing before reacting. Just creating space changed everything,” she explained. “Instead of knee-jerk reactions, I started responding with intention. My team learned to do the same.” Building a Stronger Team Through Better Communication The training didn’t just change individual behaviors. It transformed how the team operated as a unit. “We started holding each other accountable in a way that made us stronger,” Sarah said. “Instead of reacting emotionally, we reminded each other to take a step back, ask questions, and truly listen.” These lessons also reshaped how they interacted with customers. “In the past, I dreaded difficult calls. Now, it’s my favorite part of the job,” Sarah said. “When you take the time to understand where someone’s frustration is coming from, you can de-escalate situations, improve communication, and create better experiences for everyone involved.” Leadership That Lasts Perhaps the greatest testament to the power of Cortex’s training is its lasting impact. Even as time has passed, Sarah and her colleagues continue to apply what they learned. As new team members join, they pass down these leadership principles, ensuring that the investment in development continues to pay off. “For companies thinking about leadership training, my advice is simple—do it,” Sarah said. “Employees don’t just want a boss. They want a coach who helps them grow. That’s what Cortex gave us.” Transforming Leadership at Every Level Sarah’s story is just one example of how Cortex Leadership Consulting helps leaders and teams redefine the way they work. If you’re ready to create stronger leaders, build a more cohesive team, and foster a culture of emotional intelligence, now is the time to take the next step. Cortex doesn’t just teach leadership. We transform it. Contact us today to learn how our training programs can impact your team and your business. Email: Website: LinkedIn: info@cortexleadership.com cortexleadershipconsulting.com Cortex Leadership Consulting Previous Next

Leadership Experts Urge Global Business Shift from VUCA to BANI Framework to Navigate Chaos of the 2020s < Back Cortex Leadership Consulting Jun 20, 2025 Roanoke, VA & Cologne, Germany – In a bold and timely call to action, Lynda McNutt Foster, CEO of Cortex Leadership Consulting, and Holger Heinze, Director & Partner at O'Donovan Consulting AG, have co-authored a powerful new thought leadership piece titled “From VUCA to BANI: Leading in Today’s Chaotic World.” The article challenges today’s business leaders to move beyond the now-outdated VUCA framework and embrace a new, more relevant leadership model: BANI – Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, and Incomprehensible. For decades, the VUCA framework (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) has guided executive decision-making amid change. However, Foster and Heinze argue that today’s disruptions – from pandemics and geopolitical instability to climate crises and AI-driven transformation – demand a more honest and actionable map. “VUCA no longer fully captures the intensity or emotional weight of our world,” says Foster. “BANI gives leaders a better language to interpret and respond to the stress fractures showing up across every industry.” Why BANI, Why Now First introduced by futurist Jamais Cascio, BANI captures the emotional and structural instability of modern systems. The article walks readers through how: Brittleness reflects systems that break under pressure. Anxiety is an ever-present emotional state due to constant uncertainty. Nonlinearity means minor events can cause disproportionate impact. Incomprehensibility challenges leaders’ ability to interpret fast-moving, ambiguous data. The authors emphasize that BANI is not just a trend—it’s an urgent leadership imperative. “Our institutions, processes, and mindsets must evolve. We can no longer rely on planning cycles built for stability,” says Heinze. “BANI leadership demands resilience, empathy, improvisation, and intuition.” A New Leadership Playbook The article outlines a modern leadership toolkit suited for the BANI world. Leaders must: Shift from reactive firefighting to resilient foresight . Replace rigid, hierarchical workflows with agile and adaptive systems . Invest in psychological capital (PsyCap) – Hope, Efficacy, Resilience, and Optimism – to sustain teams amid stress and uncertainty. Foster cross-functional collaboration and collective sensemaking as a strategic advantage. “Leaders who thrive in BANI environments don’t seek perfect control—they build cultures prepared to bend without breaking,” says Foster. Global Examples of BANI Leadership Foster and Heinze back their insights with powerful case studies: Home Depot chartered private ships to avoid supply chain chaos. Tesla rewrote software to accommodate chip shortages. GM & Ford pivoted to produce ventilators and PPE during COVID-19. Microsoft focused on emotional intelligence and psychological safety through empathetic policies. These real-world examples show that BANI-ready companies outperform not by avoiding chaos—but by being structurally and culturally prepared to engage with it. Call to Action The article closes with practical steps: forming a “BANI Response Team,” measuring adaptability alongside efficiency, and conducting team conversations about readiness. Leaders are encouraged to ask, “If our world is truly BANI, what’s one thing we should change today?” As Foster notes, “Chaos favors the prepared, the courageous, and the flexible. That can be you and your company.” Contact Information For North America: Lynda McNutt Foster CEO, Cortex Leadership Consulting 📧 lynda@cortexleadership.com 🌐 www.cortexleadership.com For Europe: Holger Heinze Director & Partner, O'Donovan Consulting AG 📧 holger.heinze@odonovan.de 🌐 www.odonovan.de Previous Next

How AI Will Change Your Job—And What You Can Do About It < Back Cortex Leatership Consulting Jun 8, 2025 Live Small Group and One-on-One Demo Experiences Show Leaders and Everyday Workers How to Stay Ahead of AI's Disruption Event Date: Tuesday, June 10, 2025 Location: Grandin CoLab, Roanoke, VA Roanoke, VA — While national headlines warn of job loss and fear around artificial intelligence, a first-of-its-kind leadership demo event on Tuesday will flip the script, showing local professionals how to partner with AI , not fear it. Hosted by Cortex Leadership Consulting, the event—“The AI Demo Experience: Leading Through the Shift”—will show leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals how to collaborate with tools like ChatGPT, CoPilot, NotebookLM, and Gemini to save time, reduce stress, and increase quality of work without needing to be “tech-savvy.” “This is not a lecture. It’s an immersive demo where you’ll see AI work with real-world data from local businesses to solve problems in real time,” said Lynda McNutt Foster, CEO of Cortex Leadership. “We want leaders to walk away with less fear, more clarity, and practical next steps they can use tomorrow.” Why This Matters (Fast Facts for Newsrooms) 44% of work skills will be disrupted by 2027 , according to the World Economic Forum. Only 1 in 10 professionals feel confident using AI tools at work (McKinsey 2024). In a recent local survey of over 40 professionals, the #1 challenge was “not knowing where to start with AI” . This event is designed to address that head-on. Real-time demos of how leaders and employees can collaborate with AI Why AI is not replacing humans—rather amplifying those who use it well How leaders can overcome the "blank page" problem and decision fatigue Insight into which jobs and tasks will likely be automated first—and what will never be replaced A Local Perspective This isn’t Silicon Valley. It is right here in Southwest Virginia. These are local teams and business leaders navigating real pressures—from healthcare to finance to entrepreneurship. The Cortex team will show how AI can: Create customized training content from internal and external documents Build messaging for change through an organization Help leaders use AI as a thinking partner through Conversational Intelligence Media seats are limited for small group main demos, but open for any of the mini demos available one-on-one. Please RSVP for access and early arrival for interviews and visuals. Contact: lynda@cortexleadership.com About Cortex Leadership Consulting Cortex has worked with over 12,000 leaders to accelerate team performance, engagement, and innovation. Known for its pioneering use of AI in leadership training, Cortex brings coaching, consulting, and tech together for next-level transformation. Previous Next

Latest News Oct 31, 2025 Cortex Leadership Consulting CEO Lynda Foster to Deliver Wrap-Up Keynote at the Emerging Technology Conference Cortex Leadership Consulting CEO Lynda Foster to Deliver Wrap-Up Keynote at the Emerging Technology Conference Read More Jul 11, 2025 Cortex Leadership Launches “The AI Leader Brief” to Equip Executives for Rapid AI Disruption Roanoke, VA — July 1, 2025 — As artificial intelligence continues to reshape decision-making, operations, and strategy in every sector, Cortex Leadership Consulting has launched a new tool to help leaders adapt. The AI Leader Brief, a weekly executive digest, is designed to equip organizational decision-makers with timely, actionable insights at the intersection of AI, leadership, and strategy. Read More Jun 20, 2025 Leadership Experts Urge Global Business Shift from VUCA to BANI Framework to Navigate Chaos of the 2020s Roanoke, VA & Cologne, Germany – In a bold and timely call to action, Lynda McNutt Foster, CEO of Cortex Leadership Consulting, and Holger Heinze, Director & Partner at O'Donovan Consulting AG, have co-authored a powerful new thought leadership piece titled “From VUCA to BANI: Leading in Today’s Chaotic World.” The article challenges today’s business leaders to move beyond the now-outdated VUCA framework and embrace a new, more relevant leadership model: BANI – Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, and Incomprehensible. Read More Jun 8, 2025 How AI Will Change Your Job—And What You Can Do About It Live Small Group and One-on-One Demo Experiences Show Leaders and Everyday Workers How to Stay Ahead of AI's Disruption Read More Mar 14, 2025 Five Years Later, This Leadership Training Stuck and It's Still Paying Off With clients across the globe, Cortex Leadership Consulting equips leaders with the skills to strengthen their teams, improve communication, and drive company success. Read More Feb 7, 2025 Professionals Graduate EPIC Leadership Program More than two dozen professionals from across Virginia gather to celebrate graduating from the EPIC Leadership Program. Read More Dec 16, 2024 Kimberly Eakin Earns TED Certification to Elevate Client Success with Cortex Kimberly Eakin, a valued Mentor and Coach on the Cortex team, has achieved certification in The Empowerment Dynamic (TED*) Read More

Cortex Leadership Consulting Video Library Learning and Growing with the Help of a Mentor Read More Motivating Yourself to Exercise Read More Smile or frown: Are emojis okay at work? Read More How to create a business chemistry Read More How to make your side hustle your full time Read More Oversharing can put your career in limbo Read More Risks and rewards of starting a business Read More SWVA business owners to unveil big plans Pt. 1 Read More What is it really like to open your own company? Read More Virginia At Work: Escaping the social media "Echo Chamber" Read More Are you stuck in a social media bubble? Read More How coaching your team makes all the difference at work Read More How to make sure you get a pay raise Read More Happiness in the workplace Read More Three steps to building your confidence muscle Read More The Power of Understanding People Read More How to create positive change in the workplace Read More How much money makes you wealthy? Read More How to balance work life and home life Read More Coffee with a Coach and the 5 faces of Anger Read More BulletProof Coffee to Boost Your Brain to Become a Better Leader Read More Your New Years "To Don't" List Read More How to Handle Gossip at Work Read More The Difference between Appreciation and Recognition at Work Read More Nine Lies About Work Read More Courage in Lexington Read More Dealing with a Bad Boss Read More DEV Day Read More Would You Get Chipped? Read More Risk and rewards of starting a business Read More Interpretations of your boss could be based on perception Read More The cost of gossip at work Read More Smile or frown: Are emojis okay at work? Read More Don't Fall In Love With Your Plan Read More Perks and risks of working from home Read More SWVA business owners to unveil big plans Pt. 2 Read More Creative Collaborations: How to make them work Read More Why working solo can backfire Read More Virginia at Work: How to Create Defining Moments Read More How to Land a Job in Your desired Field After Graduation Read More NCAA Brackets Turning the tounament into a team building activity Read More Virginia At Work: Helping Veterans find Jobs Read More How to get your worth at work Read More Side jobs grow in popularity Read More The skills you need to be marketable in the future Read More Management: What Makes Work Fun Again Read More How to Change your Focus: Asking the right Questions Read More Coffee with a Coach - Virginia Women's Conference 2018 Preview Read More The Importance of Morning Routines Read More Get BIG results from making small changes - Coffee with a Coach Read More Top 4 Reasons why Employees Quit their Jobs Read More How to Deal with Conflict at Work Read More The Cortex Solution to Tough People Problems Read More Handling Conflict in the Workplace Read More OmniSource Retreat Read More Check Out Our YouTube Channel

Time Traps The Attention Drain How to Reclaim Your Focus in a World of Constant Pings Read More The Productivity Myth Why Overloaded Leaders Lose Their Edge Read More The Reactive Leader Are you running your day, or is your day running you? Read More The Perfectionism Trap Stop Overthinking & Start Executing Read More The Drama Distraction Are you leading or getting lost in office politics? Read More The Meeting Trap Are your meetings helping or hurting productivity? Read More The Overload Illusion Why Doing More is Making You Less Effecctive Read More Time Metabolism Aligning Your Energy with Your Most Important Work Read More The Delegation Dilemma If you want it done right, do you have to do it yourself? Read More