Patrick is an award-winning entrepreneur, USA Today bestselling author and world-renowned strategy execution expert. He is the mastermind behind the Think Plan Do® process, a CEO coach, serial entrepreneur, and the co-founder and CEO of Rhythm Systems®. The Think Plan Do® process has empowered thousands of CEO’s to achieve remarkable results through exceptional execution, often boosting their valuations by as much as 10X year after year.
As a bestselling author on both USA Today and the Wall Street Journal’s bestselling books list, Patrick dedicates his time to helping CEOs succeed and achieve their dreams. He speaks and writes on topics such as leadership, strategic planning, and team accountability, in addition to coaching CEOs and their executive teams.
An award winning entrepreneur, he had previously founded and led Metasys, Inc., which earned the 151st spot on the Inc. 500 list. He was also a recipient of Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award (North Carolina). His innovative tools and methods have been incorporated into the EO/MIT Entrepreneurial Masters Programme curriculum, where he served as Program co-chair for seven years, and he also contributed to Cornell University’s Family Business Initiative. Patrick holds both a master’s and bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Cornell University.
Company: Rhythm Systems
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.
Patrick Thean: Thank you for having me. I’m excited to share a bit about myself and what I do. I’m the CEO and co-founder of Rhythm Systems, a company dedicated to helping other CEOs achieve their goals by turning their strategic plans into results. Over the years, I’ve worked with leaders to create a simple, repeatable process that helps teams stay focused, aligned, and accountable. Our platform and methodology are designed to eliminate confusion and wasted effort, so companies can grow with confidence and clarity. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see our clients succeed by focusing on what truly matters and executing with discipline. That’s what drives our work every day.
How has your approach to leadership evolved to meet the changing expectations of today’s workforce, especially regarding remote and hybrid work?
Patrick Thean: In today’s remote and hybrid setup, my focus has shifted towards building connection and clarity. It’s no longer enough to lead solely through in-person interactions; now, I aim to foster a sense of purpose through virtual touchpoints and regular check-ins. I emphasize aligning our goals, giving people a strong sense of purpose, and maintaining rhythms that keep everyone in sync without micromanaging. For instance, our weekly, monthly, and quarterly meeting rhythms are a core practice that I rely on to keep everyone aligned and focused on the top focuses and priorities to achieve our targeted goals while enabling them to manage their own time and priorities effectively, whether in the office or working from home.
What specific strategies have you implemented to foster Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) within your organization?
Patrick Thean: Fostering DEI goes beyond policy; it’s about building a culture that respects each voice. I ensure this by setting clear expectations for inclusion and feedback. I encourage team members to bring their unique perspectives forward, especially in our quarterly and weekly planning sessions. These sessions don’t just focus on strategy; they offer a platform where everyone feels heard. This environment builds a culture of openness and ensures a diversity of ideas is part of our decision-making. Lately, I’ve also chosen to not attend meetings in person where my presence may have hindered some from providing candid feedback under the “Patrick thinks or feels this way so I better say or not say this” mindset. Instead, I listen to the meeting recordings afterwards. That way, I am kept informed and know that participants were not guarded or swayed with their responses.
It’s also important for leaders to serve as role models; I regularly share my own stories and experiences to underscore the value of inclusion and empathy in leadership.
How do you keep your team engaged and motivated in a workplace culture that increasingly values flexibility and work-life balance?
Patrick Thean: I focus on creating clarity and purpose while offering flexibility to keep engagement high. This means encouraging my team to see the big picture – connecting their work to a greater mission, so it’s not just “another job.” Every leader in our company is encouraged to help people feel a part of something bigger through storytelling and by recognizing each person’s impact. Additionally, our meeting rhythms, like self-check-ins and focused planning sessions, empower team members to set their own goals while remaining aligned with the company’s objectives. Flexibility is balanced with accountability, as we encourage everyone to take ownership of their work while supporting their need for work-life balance.
What do you see as the biggest challenges in preparing for the future workforce, and how are you addressing them?
Patrick Thean: Preparing for the future workforce means creating agility and staying connected to our people’s ever-changing needs. One big challenge is ensuring everyone is aligned and accountable in a fast-paced environment, especially with remote work. I’m addressing this by continuously refining our planning and execution rhythms. We’re also investing in technology, like our AI-based tools, to enable real-time coaching and help leaders make quicker, more informed decisions. Building agility isn’t just about technology; it’s about mindset. We regularly evaluate what’s working and what’s not, which keeps us ahead in adapting to new workforce trends.
How has the shift toward digital and remote collaboration affected your company culture, and what adjustments have you made to maintain a strong, cohesive team?
Patrick Thean: Remote work has shifted our culture towards more deliberate and consistent communication. With digital collaboration tools in place, I’ve reinforced the importance of having a clear “why” behind each meeting and interaction, ensuring every gathering is productive. We also leverage rhythm-based planning, where each quarter and week, teams come together to align on goals and assess priorities. This approach keeps us on track while allowing us to stay flexible. In addition, I emphasize the “spicy conversations” that can often be missed in virtual setups—creating space for candid, direct feedback that strengthens our trust and transparency.
