Not Your Grandma’s Consultant: Leadership Transformation Blueprint with Tirrell Payton
Tirrell Payton helps leaders stop leading like it's the 1990s. His company, Nooma Group, guides executives through organizational change—especially in pharma and life sciences. But Tirrell isn’t your average consultant. He blends strategy with empathy and doesn't shy away from hard truths.
Key Takeaways
There’s no such thing as steady-state leadership anymore. All leadership is transformation.
Empathy is the most important skill leaders need today.
Stop measuring busyness. Focus on outcomes, not output.
Notable Quotes
"Empathy [is the] number one [tool in the leadership toolkit]... because as a leader you're expected to chart a course into the unknown future and... the first thing you need to think about is where are they, what is their mindset."
"Focusing on the outcomes means that all of a sudden you change the conversation from what all are you working on to how are we driving that outcome."
"The culture of an organization is a direct reflection of the personality of the person leading it, and so if your organizational culture is dysfunctional, the first thing you need to look at is your leadership style."
Real-World Applications
Lead with empathy first
Example: Tirrell advises leaders to ask how people are doing before making any big changes. Trust matters more than PowerPoints.Present less, think more
Example: A team ditches their 30-slide deck for a 3-page summary focused on outcomes, not activity. The execs are thrilled.Use Chiefs of Staff as force multipliers
Example: Tirrell’s own CoS jumped in to lead marketing, then pivoted to sales—helping without formal experience, but with total trust.
Tirrell Payton makes one thing clear: transformation doesn’t start with process. It starts with people. And to lead well today, you need more than a plan—you need self-awareness, clear outcomes, and a willingness to change yourself first.
Links Mentioned:
Connect with Tirrell Payton on LinkedIn: / tirrellpayton
Nooma Group Website: https://www.noomagroup.com/
About The Author
Emily Sander is an ICF-certified leadership coach with more than 15 years of experience in the business world and the author of Hacking Executive Leadership. She’s been featured in several print publications, online articles, and podcasts, including CEO Today Magazine, Leading to Fulfillment, and Leadership Powered by Common Sense.
Emily has a passion for helping business leaders reach their full potential. Go here to read her story from seasoned executive to knowledgeable coach. If you want to send Emily a quick message, then visit her contact page here.