Be the Buffalo: Why Bold Leaders Run Into the Storm
Be the Buffalo: Why Bold Leaders Run Into the Storm
One of my clients recently said something that stopped me in my tracks: “We buffaloed the crap out of this quarter.”
It was funny. It was raw. But it was also exactly right.
They had lost several key sources of revenue and knew they needed to make changes fast. But instead of avoiding the discomfort, they leaned in. They chose courage over comfort. And it made all the difference.
Because in business, just like in nature, there are two types of leaders:
The cows, who run away from the storm—and end up stuck in it longer.
The buffalo, who run straight into the storm—and get through it faster.
What Storm Are You Facing?
Every business faces storms. Some are unexpected. Others are the result of slow leaks and decisions avoided for too long.
Here are just a few storms we see often:
Turnover of a key leader or A-player
Supply chain breakdowns or rising input costs
Tariff impacts or shifting regulations
Revenue stalls due to changing buyer behavior
Global disruptions like COVID-19 impacting team dynamics and strategy
Rapid growth that outpaces systems, breaks processes, or stresses team capacity
Cultural erosion as a company scales
Post-acquisition confusion or leadership misalignment
Most teams freeze. Or spin. Or stay stuck in the storm longer than they need to.
Why Running Into the Storm Works
Bold leadership means running toward the discomfort. Addressing the issues head-on. Making the hard calls. And doing it with clarity, alignment, and follow-through.
That’s where having a Guide and the right business operating system makes all the difference.
Pinnacle: Tools to Navigate the Storm
At Higher Peak, we use the Pinnacle Business Operating System—a flexible, high-impact framework that helps growth-minded teams bring clarity to chaos and execute what matters most. When you're in a storm, it's not just about what you do—it's about what you don't do. Prioritization is key.
Here are three essential tools we bring to help teams stay focused and move forward:
Strategic Vision & Execution Plan (SVEP): Helps teams align around a clear vision and measurable plan for getting through the storm and scaling what’s next.
FAST Rock Planner: Transforms strategy into execution by identifying the most important initiatives—Rocks that the team is committed to delivering no matter what. Come hell or high water, these get done. Period.
Weekly Tactical Meeting: Keeps the team aligned and accountable week-to-week, solving issues in real time and reinforcing priorities.
Together, these tools provide the structure, focus, and rhythm to say yes to what matters—and no to what doesn’t.
Why You Don’t Have to Go Alone
It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you're in the middle of the storm. Having a Guide—someone who’s been up the mountain before—helps you:
Get clear faster
See what you're not seeing
Make better, braver decisions
Build systems that work, not just inspire
You don’t need another book, motivational talk, or one-size-fits-all system. You need real traction, real execution, and a real path forward.
So if you’re stuck in the storm, ask yourself:
What would it look like to run into this challenge instead of away from it?
It might just be the fastest way through.
Let’s climb.
Want help navigating your storm? Let’s talk. Schedule a free discovery call and see what it would look like to work with a Pinnacle Guide.
