This past week, I’ve been reflecting on how often the conversations I have as a coach come back to one central theme: navigating and leading change.
People come to me with all kinds of challenges. Delegation. Communication. Management. Innovation. Teamwork. You name it. On the surface, these issues seem different. But underneath them all is the same reality. Leadership is hard work, and it tempts us to believe that the only way forward is to push harder, take a firmer stance, and apply more pressure to get results.
I’ve seen it happen time and again. A manager wrestles with how to get their team to follow through. A senior leader wonders why collaboration feels so clunky. An executive struggles to balance bold innovation with the day-to-day realities of running the business. In each case, there’s a temptation to think that big, forceful moves are the only way to make progress.
But I believe there’s a better way. And it’s what my new book is all about.
My Book On Leading Change
I’m thrilled to share that my upcoming book, Subtle Shifts: Simple Strategies for Sustainable Success, will be released this Monday, September 29th.
This book has been years in the making, born out of countless conversations with leaders across industries, and shaped by my own journey of guiding people through change. It’s deeply personal, and I can’t wait to get it in your hands.
Several advanced readers have already had the chance to dive in, and their feedback has been humbling. Here are just a few things they’ve said:
“I can’t stop using the language of ‘subtle shifts.’ It’s changed how I lead and how I help others. Now I’m constantly spotting subtle adjustments that create outsized results.”
— Michael Hruska, CEO, Baryons
“Subtle Shifts is more than a leadership primer. It provides powerful insights into managing business, relationships, and life. This is a resource you will return to time and again.”
— Rob Pomeroy, CEO, Horizon Technology Finance
“Matt Cross offers a refreshing approach to leadership that champions evolution over reinvention. As someone who develops leaders across all levels, I see this book as a practical tool for creating real, lasting impact.”
— Vanessa Arnedo, Chief People Officer, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
“Subtle Shifts provides a practical guide for leaders to shift the way they lead, and do it in a sustainable way. Based on years of wisdom, Matt has written an incredible book for CEOs, business leaders, and managers who want to create lasting change!”
— Scott Stein, Leadership Speaker & Author of Leadership Hacks
Hearing words like these reminds me why I wrote this book in the first place. My goal was to provide leaders with a resource they can turn to when times are tough and the path forward isn’t clear.
What You’ll Find Inside
At its heart, Subtle Shifts offers two things:
- A simple framework for thinking about change — so you can cut through the noise and find clarity.
- A playbook for changing yourself — because the most powerful way to influence others is to start with the way you show up as a leader.
It’s not about radical overhauls or seismic transformations. It’s about small, intentional adjustments that aren’t always obvious — subtle shifts — but build momentum and create sustainable success.
How You Can Help
If you’ve been reading this newsletter for a while, you know I don’t often use it to promote. But publishing this book has been a lifelong dream of mine, and I’d love your support.
One of the most important ways you can help is by preordering. Preorders show Amazon that a book is worth promoting, which helps it reach more people who might need it.
👉 Preorder Subtle Shifts on Amazon
Buy one for yourself, and consider picking up a few extra copies for your team. My goal is to get this book into as many hands as possible — not just for the sake of sales, but because I believe these ideas can make a real difference in how leaders navigate change.
Thank You!
I’ll be back to the usual rhythm of insights and stories in the weeks ahead. But today, I wanted to pause and share this milestone with you. Writing Subtle Shifts has been one of the most meaningful projects of my life, and it wouldn’t exist without the community of leaders, clients, and readers who have inspired it.
Thank you for being part of that community. And thank you in advance for supporting the launch by preordering a copy. I can’t wait for you to read it, and to see what subtle shifts it sparks in your own leadership and life.
