Leadership Advisor · Organizational Researcher · Author
Most organizations know something is off. The harder question is why.
I help organizations and leaders understand what’s really happening. Then we navigate what comes next together.
When something is seriously wrong in an organization, leaders need more than good intentions and a training calendar. They need someone who can see clearly what’s actually happening, speak honestly about what it means, and work alongside them to address it in a way that holds up to scrutiny. Not quick fixes. Not generic frameworks. Rigorous, grounded work that produces real answers and a defensible path forward.
For Organizations
When something isn’t working
Your organization is dealing with something that hasn’t responded to the usual interventions. I start by understanding your environment, your culture, and your history before recommending anything. The best solutions don’t get imported from outside. They get built from where you are.
For Leaders
When you need a trusted thinking partner
Nobody prepares you for how hard it actually is to lead in a complex organization. The politics are harder, the dynamics are messier, and the uncertainty about the best path forward is more paralyzing than anyone admits. Most leaders navigate this largely alone and it doesn’t have to stay that way. I can help you see it more clearly.
About Dr. Dana E. Sims
I’ve worked inside these organizations. I know what they actually look like.
I have spent more than 15 years inside federal organizations at the senior level, advising executives, managing multi-million dollar portfolios, and designing leadership programs for workforces of thousands. My research, publications, and regular presence at national conferences reflect a career spent not just practicing in this field but helping shape it.
Coming Soon
The Storms of Leadership
The book on leadership nobody has written yet. Not the version described in textbooks, but the version lived by leaders navigating organizations that are more complex, more political, and more resistant to change than anyone admits.
It is not finished yet. When it is, it will be worth the wait.
Perspectives
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Good leadership requires honest thinking. The writing here covers the realities of leading, managing, and building a career in public service. These posts are practical, research-grounded, and written for people who want more than generic advice.
Leadership & Management
Practical insights on leading teams and navigating the realities of organizational life.
Career Development
Advice for professionals navigating their careers with intention. From landing the right role to growing into leadership.