Rhodes Perry Consulting, LLC

Ever walked into a high-stakes meeting with a polished script, said all the right words, and had it land totally flat? 😳

I have. It’s exhausting. You leave wondering, "I did everything right. Why didn’t that work?”

Here is a difficult truth I explore in my latest Substack article...your strategy was right, but your nervous system was off.

Humans are wired to detect threats. If you are internally panicked, rushing, or fearful (even if you are smiling your way through it) your body is broadcasting a signal of danger.

Your team will always believe your presence over your words.

Traditional leadership programs ignore this reality. They teach you what to do, but not how to be.

It’s time to look at the biology of leadership.

Read the full post on why your scripts are failing and how developing somatic leadership skills can help.

[Link to Substack Post: https://rhodesperry.substack.com/p/the-signal-you-cant-disguise]

Welcome to the first full work week of 2026. 🗓️

If you are like most leaders I know, you are staring at a fresh calendar today. You might feel the pressure to immediately start sprinting—to launch new initiatives, send the strategy emails, and prove that this year will be different.

But before you dive into ex*****on mode, I want to return to a question I posed in December regarding the "elephant in the room"—the chaos and heaviness of the current moment.

The old behaviors of perfectionism and simply "doing more" are failing us. So, if the answer isn't doing more, what is it?

Who will you be in 2026?

For the past year, I have been quietly working on a new methodology that forms the foundation of my upcoming book, Roads Less Traveled. The core premise is simple but challenging:

You cannot lead others to places you have not traveled yourself.

Most leadership advice focuses on the "paved roads." These are external strategies: how to delegate, how to give feedback, how to write a strategic plan. These roads are crowded because they feel safe.

But to lead through the chaos and actually thrive in 2026, we have to take the road less traveled. This is the journey inward.

It is the work of: ✔️ Regulating your own nervous system. ✔️ Clarifying who you are being rather than measuring success by what you are doing. ✔️ Building the internal capacity to hold space for fear and grief without crumbling.

This isn't the easy path. It asks you to drop the conforming armor of "professionalism" and show up as a whole, wise human being. But it is the only path that leads to genuine credibility and trust.

As you look at your goals for this year, ask yourself: Am I planning for what I need to DO, or am I planning for who I need to BE?

To help you answer that question, I’ve created a short 15-minute meditation to help you reset before moving deeper into the year.

🔗 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/who-do-you-need-to-become-to-build-belonging-spaces/id1616699344?i=1000704928835

The most powerful leaders aren't the ones who stick with the status quo —they're the ones brave enough to change it during times like these.

In a world that demands constant adaptation, trusting your intuition and being open to new directions isn't a weakness; it's your greatest strength.

Our CEO, Rhodes Perry, recently wrote about a pivotal moment when he decided to radically change course on his third book.

This shift wasn't a decision he made with his mind—it was a decision he made by listening to the wisdom of his body.

In his latest Substack post, Rhodes shares a simple yet profound somatic exercise that helped him listen to the anxiety he felt and accept it not as an obstacle, but as a messenger pointing toward a more authentic path.

This isn't just about writing a book. It's a powerful lesson for every leader:
Your emotions offer valuable data. Instead of pushing away feelings like anxiety or fear, you can befriend them. They often hold the key to the very change you need to make.

Self-trust is the foundation for personal growth. By learning to listen to your body's wisdom, you begin building the confidence to navigate uncertainty and make decisions that lead to REAL transformation.

This is the heart of the somatic leadership coaching we offer at Rhodes Perry Consulting. It’s about building a deeper connection with yourself so you can lead with more clarity, courage, and authenticity.

Ready to explore how somatic leadership coaching can help you navigate change and build deeper self-trust? Read Rhodes's full article here and access additional resources to support your own journey:

https://rhodesperry.substack.com/p/the-book-i-didnt-plan-to-write

Thanks for growing the !

The Book I Didn't Plan to Write Why the very emotions we try to avoid are often the messengers we need to follow.

We’re proud to be a member of the Morgan Stanley Small Business Academy Class of ’25!

We were selected as one of sixteen companies from around the globe to participate in a comprehensive educational program designed to empower small business owners with the competitive knowledge and resources to grow and scale their businesses during these uncertain times.

We are grateful for all the support we have received in expanding our mission to build workspaces of belonging globally and across various industries.

A deep bow of gratitude to Shendora Pridgen and your incredible Small Business Academy Team 🙏🏻🎓✨