Leadership Solutions by Design

Leadership Solutions by Design "Empowering leaders to unlock their potential, navigate change, and drive meaningful success with confidence." But Karie's not just about the boardroom hustle.

Meet Karie Millspaugh, a seasoned pro with a knack for business strategy, communications, executive leadership, PR, and digital marketing. As the visionary force behind Leadership Solutions by Design, a premier coaching and training agency, she lends her strategic acumen to executives from major tech giants like Microsoft, as well as to nimble startups and medium-sized enterprises alike. She's also a rockstar in the world of writing and speaking, with best-selling books and awards for her motivational talks. Catch her on "The Leadership Lounge with Karie Millspaugh," her popular podcast where she shares insights and candid conversations with top leaders who have navigated the highs and lows of the corporate and business worlds. When she’s not working with clients or speaking on stage, Karie enjoys spending time in nature, with her family, or planning her next weekend getaway.

I’m soaking up as much beach time and lighthouse time as I can before the snow starts to fly… I’m looking forward to fal...
09/12/2026

I’m soaking up as much beach time and lighthouse time as I can before the snow starts to fly…

I’m looking forward to fall, but I’m still not ready to let go of summer just yet.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the question underneath so many conversations about AI:What if I’m not needed anymore?Not...
09/09/2026

I’ve been thinking a lot about the question underneath so many conversations about AI:

What if I’m not needed anymore?

Not just “Will AI change my job?” but what happens when something you’ve spent years mastering can suddenly be done by technology in seconds?

I wrote a new blog about the fear, the identity piece we don’t talk about enough—and why I believe this moment may force us to get clearer about the difference between what we do and what we bring.

If AI could do 50% of your job tomorrow, what would still make you valuable?

🔗 Read it [Link in Comments]

08/24/2026

🎙️ NEW EPISODE: What If I’m Not Needed Anymore?

Let’s talk about the fear underneath the AI conversation.

What if the skills you’ve spent years mastering can suddenly be done by AI in seconds?
What if your role changes—or disappears?

And what happens when you’re the leader who is supposed to project confidence for everyone else while privately wondering the same thing?

I’m not interested in sugarcoating this one.

AI is changing jobs. Careers are being disrupted. And the fear of becoming obsolete is real.
But AI has also made me think differently about what makes us valuable.

AI can produce. Humans still bring the vision.

Creativity. Intuition. Judgment. Discernment. Empathy. Experience. The ability to know what question needs to be asked in the first place.

In this episode of The Leadership Lounge, I’m talking about AI, identity, change fatigue, resilience, executive loneliness—and what it means to lead when you don’t have all the answers either.

🎧 (See Comments for Link to Episode)

And I’ll leave you with this:

If AI could do 50% of your job tomorrow, what would still make you valuable?

Leadership Solutions by Design

Finally got out on the golf course ⛳️Perfect weather too! Fun ✅Laughs ✅Score keeping - optional. Rules … also optional 😊...
08/23/2026

Finally got out on the golf course ⛳️
Perfect weather too!

Fun ✅
Laughs ✅
Score keeping - optional.
Rules … also optional 😊

The future of leadership isn’t just about performance. It’s about people.For years, organizations measured success by pr...
08/18/2026

The future of leadership isn’t just about performance. It’s about people.

For years, organizations measured success by productivity, output, and results.

Those things still matter.

But we’re beginning to understand something equally important:

People perform at their best when they feel psychologically safe, supported, healthy, and connected to purpose.

Burnout doesn’t make us stronger.

Chronic stress isn’t a badge of honor.

And “powering through” isn’t a long-term leadership strategy.

The strongest leaders I’ve worked with don’t simply inspire performance.
They create environments where people can sustainably thrive.

When people thrive...

Innovation grows.

Trust deepens.

Performance follows.

Leadership has always been about people.

Now, more than ever, it’s about helping people flourish.

I just listened to Oprah’s podcast interview with Dr. John La Puma about his book, Indoor Epidemic … and I found myself ...
08/12/2026

I just listened to Oprah’s podcast interview with Dr. John La Puma about his book, Indoor Epidemic … and I found myself nodding with agreement through almost the entire conversation. 🌊🌿

I already believed deeply in the healing power of nature, but I learned even more about why our brains and bodies actually need it - including something as simple as regularly seeing the colors blue and green.

Blue skies.
Green trees.
Lakes, rivers and oceans.
Sunlight. Fresh air. Nature.

They aren’t just beautiful. They affect us. 💙

And it made me think about my own life.

I spent 15 years living in Las Vegas, where so much of life happened indoors - escaping the extreme heat in air-conditioning, surrounded by desert, concrete, and very little of the trees and water my soul had grown up with.

I’ve said many times that a little piece of my soul died while I lived there. I didn’t fully understand why at the time.

Now I do. 😊

In 2 weeks, I’ll celebrate three years back home in Traverse City, surrounded by the Great Lakes, trees, changing seasons and more shades of blue and green than I could ever count. 💙🌿

Moving home wasn’t just about changing where I lived.

It changed HOW I live.

More walks outside. More sunsets. More time near the water. More windows open. More fresh air. More moments when I can simply look around and feel my nervous system exhale. ☺️

Maybe our bodies were never designed to spend nearly all of our lives inside. (And I’m a homebody on steroids!)

This conversation with Oprah and Dr. La Puma was such a great reminder that sometimes taking care of ourselves doesn’t require another complicated wellness routine.

Sometimes the prescription is right outside the door (my reminder to go walk to the golf course next-door more often…). 🌊☀️🌲

🎧 You’ll have to copy paste the link in the comments… Jump over to Spotify and look up the Oprah podcast. ⬇️

Leadership isn’t about changing minds. It’s about changing behavior.I’ve spent much of my career helping leaders communi...
08/11/2026

Leadership isn’t about changing minds. It’s about changing behavior.

I’ve spent much of my career helping leaders communicate important messages.

Over time, I realized something surprising.

The best message doesn’t always create action.

People rarely change because they receive another email, attend another meeting, or watch another presentation.

They change when they feel understood.

When they see themselves in the story.

When they trust the person delivering the message.

When the next step feels achievable.

Communication informs.

Connection transforms.

As leaders, perhaps we should spend a little less time asking,

“Did they hear me?”

08/10/2026

Maiden voyage! 🛶💙

We took Matt’s new birthday kayak out on Arbutus Lake Saturday and spent two peaceful hours paddling, exploring the chain of lakes, and soaking up the perfect Michigan weather. ☀️

We even spotted a mama loon with her two babies — and yes, I tried my best to match her call. 😂

Shoutout to Matt’s mom for the awesome birthday gift! I think it’s safe to say it’ll get plenty of use. 💙

08/10/2026

2nd backpacking trip of 2026 🎒⛺️🥾

A little sunshine, a little rain, a LOT of mosquitoes 🦟😂 and some pretty special family visits along the way.

But mostly… quality time with my favorite camping partner. ♥️ We always come home a little more connected and grateful.

Northern Michigan is so good for the soul. 🌲🌊

Thank you, Jesus, for another beautiful adventure. 🙏🏻✝️♥️

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Traverse City, MI
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