Jay E. Sternberg’s Leadership Legacy_ Multiplying Impact Through Authentic Coaching.pdf

Jay Sternberg (Founder & Strategic Advisor, 3 Things Consulting), a veteran with a 35-year career in consulting, founded 3 Things Consulting to simplify leadership.

1. Jay E. Sternberg’s Leadership Legacy:
Multiplying Impact Through Authentic Coaching

Jay Sternberg (Founder & Strategic Advisor, 3 Things Consulting), a veteran with
a 35-year career in consulting, founded 3 Things Consulting to simplify
leadership. Over his decades as a partner at global consulting firms, he saw that
leadership was often made overly complicated by frameworks and corporate
jargon. Sternberg realized that true leadership is rooted in simple, authentic
human connection; a lesson he learned firsthand when a simple “Woo hoo!” to
celebrate a team member’s breakthrough shifted the energy in a high-pressure
meeting. At its core, 3 Things Consulting helps leaders focus on the “three things” that
truly matter: clarity, trust, and accountability. Through coaching and support,

2. Sternberg’s mission is to help leaders move past complex theories and build
cultures where people feel seen, trusted, and empowered to lead.
Sternberg helps leaders align their intentions with their impact by encouraging
them to focus on the human side of leadership. This intentional, values-based
approach fosters a culture where people feel safe to contribute and grow.
Ultimately, Sternberg’s goal is to help leaders create an environment where high
performance naturally follows from strong relationships.
Why Moments Matter More than Models?
Jay Sternberg’s book, 3 Things: Real Moments. Honest Coaching. Practical
Leadership, was born from the challenge of sharing his decades of leadership
experience in a way that others could immediately apply. He realized that
leadership is best taught through authentic, real-life moments, not complicated
theories.
The book and Sternberg’s consulting practice are built on the idea that leadership
is found in everyday interactions; how you show up, listen, and handle difficult
situations. Each chapter of the book ends with a “Leadership Cue” and a
reflection question, making the insights practical and easy for leaders to use.
Sternberg’s goal is to help leaders understand what effective leadership feels like,
not just what it looks like.
Tools for the Next Conversation
What makes 3 Things Consulting unique is its focus on making leadership simple,
human, and immediately useful. Unlike firms that use complex models, Founder
Jay Sternberg believes that true leadership happens in everyday moments.
The firm’s approach is based on the real-world challenges leaders face, like giving
feedback or managing conflict. Rather than relying on abstract theories, the focus

3. is on helping leaders improve one conversation at a time. This practical
philosophy is also the foundation for Sternberg’s book, 3 Things: Real Moments.
Honest Coaching. Practical Leadership, which uses short stories and practical
questions to help readers apply new skills right away. The ultimate goal is to cut
through the noise and provide leaders with actionable tools they can use to lead
better, moment by moment.
Innovation Without Erasure
With the rise of new technology, like AI, Jay Sternberg believes leaders in 2025
face a critical challenge: balancing technological speed with human connection.
While technology offers efficiency, it also risks eroding the empathy and inclusion
that are essential for effective leadership.
Through 3 Things Consulting, Sternberg helps leaders embrace new tools while
staying focused on their people. He emphasizes that technology must be paired
with empathy and inclusion, especially as teams become more global and diverse.
Sternberg argues that true leadership means seeing and supporting the full
complexity of a team’s members, across different backgrounds and identities.
According to him, the most successful organizations in 2025 will be those that
use innovation to build a foundation of empathy and inclusion. What Sets 3 Things Consulting Apart

4. ●​Values-Based: Centered on empathy, trust, and accountability.
●​Practical: Gives leaders tools for their very next conversation.
●​Action-Oriented: Based on real-life moments, not abstract ideas.
●​In-the-Moment Coaching: Helping leaders show up better, one
conversation at a time.
How Coaching Moments Drive Team Transformation?
For Jay Sternberg, the Founder of 3 Things Consulting, true success is measured
by personal growth, not just business metrics. He believes the most impactful
coaching helps leaders understand themselves better, empowering them to find
their voice and build trust.
Sternberg recalls a recent client who was struggling with a team that had lost
trust. Instead of a complex solution, they focused on the basics: listening,
clarifying expectations, and following through. This simple, consistent approach

5. transformed the team’s dynamic, easing tension and restoring credibility. For
Sternberg, these “quiet wins”, the subtle shifts in behavior and trust are the most
meaningful signs of lasting impact.
3 Things Consulting: The Next Chapter
●​Primary Focus: The launch of Jay Sternberg’s new book, 3 Things: Real
Moments. Honest Coaching. Practical Leadership. The book serves as a
key resource and conversation starter for leaders and coaches.
●​Strategic Partnerships: 3 Things Consulting is open to collaborations
that amplify the book’s message and align with its core mission. These
could include partnerships with leadership development programs,
executive education initiatives, or other platforms that promote
practical, human-centered leadership.
●​Definition of Growth: Sternberg defines growth by substance and
connection, not just scale. The goal is to expand the firm’s influence by
helping more leaders simplify complexity, build trust, and create
momentum in their organizations. Any collaboration built on these
principles would be a natural fit.
Confidentiality and Care

6. At 3 Things Consulting, trust isn’t just a policy, it’s the core of how we work. With
decades of experience, Jay Sternberg understands that confidentiality is
non-negotiable. Every coaching relationship starts with clear agreements to
ensure privacy and set mutual expectations.
But for Sternberg, true trust goes deeper than a contract. It’s earned through
consistent actions: providing honest feedback, listening without judgment, and
always following through. This predictability creates a safe environment where
leaders can openly share their challenges, knowing their experiences will be
handled with the highest level of care.
Impact (By the Numbers)

7. ●​35+ Years: Leadership & consulting experience.
●​Hundreds of Leaders: Coached across global organizations.
●​20+ Countries: Teams positively impacted.
Inside the Launch of 3 Things
3 Things Consulting is a new venture with a clear and compelling launch point:
the upcoming release of Jay Sternberg’s debut book, 3 Things: Real Moments.
Honest Coaching. Practical Leadership, releasing October 15, 2025. It represents
the first major platform where Sternberg’s leadership philosophy and coaching
approach are shared publicly in a comprehensive, accessible format.
In parallel with the book 3 Things: Real Moments. Honest Coaching. Practical
Leadership, Sternberg has built a growing presence on LinkedIn, where he
regularly shares leadership insights, stories, and reflections with a diverse
audience of clients, colleagues, and professionals across industries. That ongoing

8. dialogue has helped build early visibility and momentum around the core ideas
that define both the book and the consulting practice.
The upcoming feature in The Enterprise World marks an important milestone, it
will be one of the first published profiles to showcase both the book and the firm.
Sternberg sees this coverage as a springboard for further conversations, reviews,
and thought leadership in the months to come.
At this early stage, it’s not just about announcing a new business; it’s about
inviting others into a broader conversation around practical, human-centered
leadership.
Consistency Breeds Trust
For over 35 years, Jay Sternberg has relied on the Franklin/Covey methodology
as a steady anchor throughout his career. Each morning, he dedicates time to
prioritize his day, clarify what matters most, and align his tasks with broader
goals. This simple, consistent habit has provided him with clarity and focus, no
matter how complex or demanding his work became.
But beyond the mechanics of planning, Sternberg credits this daily discipline with
shaping his entire approach to leadership. It has taught him that effective
leadership isn’t about reacting to every urgent demand, but rather about
intentionally choosing what truly matters and bringing full presence to those
priorities. Over time, this habit fostered consistency; a foundation upon which
trust with his teams was built.
Today, as Sternberg leads and grows 3 Things Consulting, this morning ritual
remains a vital practice. Though small in scale, it continues to profoundly
influence his ability to lead with clarity and coach others to do the same.
A Legacy of Leadership Multiplication

9. Jay Sternberg hopes his legacy will be that of a coach who multiplied leadership
in others. He believes that while titles and positions may fade, the leaders one
influences continue to lead long after they are gone. Moreover, he places strong
emphasis on creating space for diverse voices and perspectives.
He aspires to be remembered for helping individuals recognize their own
potential, encouraging them to lead with clarity, trust, and accountability, and
fostering cultures where people can truly thrive. Additionally, Sternberg hopes to
be known as someone who created space for diverse voices and perspectives to
shape outcomes, because he understands that leadership is stronger when it
reflects the full richness of the people it serves.
The Principles that Guide Jay Sternberg’s Journey

Jay Sternberg’s Leadership Toolbox includes timeless methods and guiding
principles that shape his approach:

10. 1.​Tool: Sternberg relies on the FranklinCovey planning system; a
traditional yet highly effective method for maintaining clarity on
priorities and aligning daily actions with long-term goals.
2.​Quote: He often reflects on Simon Sinek’s words: “Leadership is not
about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.”
This philosophy underpins his people-first leadership style.
3.​Advice: Sternberg advises leaders to lead with authenticity and to
actively surround themselves with diverse perspectives. He believes true
progress happens when leaders are genuine and when a variety of voices
are welcomed into the conversation. 4.​Book: One of his favorite reads is Illusions: The Adventures of a
Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach, a reminder that leadership wisdom
often emerges through simple stories and that perspective is as crucial as
practice.
Dear Future Leaders,
Leadership is not about perfection. It’s about presence. People will not remember
every decision you make, but they will always remember how you made them
feel.
As you begin this journey, lean into honesty, stay curious, and have the courage
to lead with authenticity. Never underestimate the power of listening first.
Success is built on the small, everyday choices you make to show up consistently
and authentically for your team.
Sincerely,
Jay Sternberg