Rael Bricker - The Excellence Guy

View Original

From ‘The Excellence Guy’ to ‘The Excellence Project’: Why It’s All About You Now

I’ve always believed in the relentless pursuit of excellence. For years, I operated under the brand ‘The Excellence Guy.’ It was about my journey, my experiences, and the insights I’ve gathered from decades of navigating the complex worlds of finance, leadership, and business. And while that has served its purpose, I’ve realized something essential—excellence is not about me. It’s about you.

That’s why I’ve decided to make a shift, a bold transformation in how I approach my work and the clients I serve. I’m proud to introduce ‘The Excellence Project,’ a brand that doesn’t center on me, but on you, the client. Because excellence isn’t something that comes from a single voice or person—it’s a project, a collaboration that extends across your organization, from the boardroom to the break room.

Why the Change?

So, why move from ‘The Excellence Guy’ to ‘The Excellence Project’? The truth is, over time, I’ve come to understand that my work isn’t just about providing insights or sharing my knowledge—it’s about creating lasting impact by working together with my clients. ‘The Excellence Guy’ was, admittedly, more about me. It highlighted my experiences and my view of the world. But as I’ve grown in this work, I’ve seen that the real magic happens when the spotlight is on the organization, on its people, and on its unique challenges and opportunities.

‘The Excellence Project’ reflects that shift. It’s about you and the journey we embark on together. It’s about taking a holistic view of your business, not just at the executive level, but across every touchpoint—from leadership in the boardroom to the culture and engagement in the break room. We’re working together to unlock your potential, to help you navigate change, and to foster excellence across all aspects of your business.

The Three Pillars of The Excellence Project

At the core of ‘The Excellence Project’ are three foundational pillars that guide everything we do:


  1. Strategic Excellence

  2. Leadership Excellence

  3. Professional Excellence


Let me break them down.

Strategic Excellence

In today’s fast-paced business landscape, strategy is more important than ever. But strategic excellence isn’t just about having a plan on paper; it’s about aligning your organization’s culture, vision, and values with that strategy. It’s about being adaptable, about seeing the big picture while still being flexible enough to navigate the unexpected.

As part of ‘The Excellence Project,’ I work with organizations to ensure that their strategies are not only sound but are also executable. We look at whether the leadership and the culture of the business are in sync with the long-term vision. It’s about making sure the strategy isn’t some distant, disconnected concept, but something that resonates from the top right down to every team member. Strategy without execution is a wish—and wishes don’t drive growth.

Leadership Excellence

Leadership is where many companies rise—or fall. Leadership excellence goes beyond titles and hierarchy; it’s about influence, guidance, and fostering an environment where others can excel. What I’ve seen over the years is that leadership doesn’t exist in isolation. You can have all the vision in the world, but if your leadership isn’t aligned with your organization’s goals, culture, and people, you’re going nowhere fast.

Under ‘The Excellence Project,’ we dive deep into leadership. We focus on how leaders can inspire, communicate, and create a culture of accountability and innovation. Leadership excellence isn’t just a trait—it’s a practice, a commitment to ongoing growth and development. It’s about empowering your teams, not just managing them.

Professional Excellence

The third pillar, professional excellence, speaks to the individual. While we focus on strategy and leadership at an organizational level, we must also foster a culture where every individual strives for excellence in their role, no matter how small it may seem in the bigger picture.

From personal development to communication skills, professional excellence is about equipping your people with the tools and mindset they need to perform at their best. It’s about creating an environment where every employee, from the C-suite to the front line, feels empowered to take ownership of their contribution. The break room is as important as the boardroom in this respect—excellence should permeate every corner of your business.

From the Boardroom to the Break Room

I chose the subtitle, ‘From the Boardroom to the Break Room,’ intentionally. It reflects a belief I hold strongly—that excellence must be woven into the very fabric of your organization. It’s not enough to focus solely on executive decisions or strategic planning at the leadership level. To truly drive lasting excellence, we must ensure that every person in the organization is aligned with the vision and culture of the business. Everyone matters in this project.

The boardroom is where big decisions are made, where strategies are defined, and where leadership sets the tone. But the break room? That’s where culture lives. That’s where engagement happens, where your people feel connected—or disconnected. If we don’t pay attention to both, we’re missing half the story. The most successful organizations I’ve worked with are those that understand this: culture, strategy, and leadership are all intertwined.

Excellence as a Project, Not a Destination

One of the reasons I chose to use the word ‘project’ in the new branding is because excellence isn’t a one-time achievement—it’s a continuous journey. We don’t just get to a place called ‘Excellence’ and stop. No, it’s something we must work at constantly, with intention, and with a mindset that embraces change.

A project has phases; it evolves, adapts, and adjusts based on feedback, challenges, and successes. That’s what excellence is. It’s not about me delivering some final solution, but about working together with your organization to build something lasting. It’s a co-creation, an ongoing process that keeps moving forward as your business grows and the market changes.

Why This Matters for You

So, what does this mean for you? It means that when you engage with ‘The Excellence Project,’ you’re getting more than just a keynote speaker or consultant—you’re getting a partner. Someone who will walk with you through the challenges and opportunities your business faces. Someone who understands that excellence isn’t just a checkbox, but an ongoing, dynamic journey that involves everyone in your organization.

I’m here to help you build strategic, leadership, and professional excellence from the ground up. Together, we’ll make sure your organization is future-ready, that your people are engaged, and that your business thrives in a rapidly changing world.

A Call to Action

If you’re ready to embrace this client-centered journey to excellence, I invite you to join ‘The Excellence Project.’ Let’s work together, from the boardroom to the break room, to create a culture of excellence that drives real results. Whether you’re looking to align your strategy, enhance leadership, or empower your people, I’m here to help.

Reach out today, and let’s start your excellence project together.