How a Difficult Chapter Birthed C-Suite Coach

Arthur Jafa’s work at MoMA demands that we confront history with honesty.

It was fitting that while at the opening of the exhibit, I ran into a face from my own past who helped me measure just how much time has passed.

Seeing Heath Rosenthal, a former colleague from my years at ESPN, unlocked memories I usually keep stored away. I left that job in 2012, and I often only revisit the victory lap of my exit. But Heath reminded me of the grit it took to get there.

A significant season of my time there was defined by a toxic manager who made me question my place in the corporate world. I navigated an environment where I often felt isolated.

However, it was important to me that I left on my own terms. By the time I made the strategic decision to move on, the situation had shifted. I had transitioned to a supportive leader who championed my work. But ultimately, I had outgrown the space.

The pressure of that earlier season required a release. I needed a sanctuary where I could define professionalism on my own terms. So I started a blog called C-Suite Swag. I wrote about mindset, style, and the aesthetics of leadership to reclaim my narrative.

I did not realize I was drafting the blueprint for my future firm.

My current work building healthy and equitable cultures is a direct response to the toxicity I once endured. The foundation of C-Suite Coach exists because I know the cost of poor leadership. I took a painful chapter and alchemized it into a global business strategy.

Thank you, Heath, for the kind words and the reminder that our hardest battles often birth our greatest legacies. Also, looking exactly the same as you did 13 years ago is an incredible accomplishment!