Executive Team Alignment: Drive Strategy Forward & Protect Top Talent

October 28, 2026

Assessment, Communication, Leadership, People Development, Performance Management, Strategy, Talent Management, Tools, Wellness

Two hands holding puzzle pieces symbolizing team alignment and collaboration.

Summary

The session focused on the effects of misalignment in executive teams, motivational blind spots, and strategies for improving team effectiveness. Glain and Maria shared research findings from their third annual report on high potential leaders, highlighting that 70% are constantly firefighting and 44% feel overwhelmed by unrealistic mandates. They discussed the importance of behavioral alignment, motivational assessments using the IDI framework, and the need for ongoing team development rather than one-off events.

Presenters

Glain Roberts-McCabe (pronounced ‘Gline’ like ‘shine’) Roberts-McCabe is the founder and President of The Roundtable, a company that helps leaders navigate change, disruption and growth by building the mindsets and behaviours that matter most.

A sought-after expert in the field of group and team coaching, Glain works with executive teams and high potential leaders to make a bigger collective impact. With over 30 years leadership, business and coaching experience, Glain combines an evidence-based approach with pragmatism.

Glain has advised and worked with senior executives and leaders globally at some of the world’s most respected brands including: PepsiCo, Royal Bank of Canada, Ontario Power Generation, McCain Foods, CAA Club Group, Lindt Canada and PwC.

The Roundtable coaching programs have received multiple awards including two ICF Prism Awards (2022), three Brandon Hall Gold Awards (2022 and 2023) and two I4PL Gold Awards (2012 and 2022) and The Roundtable was named the Top HR Advisory in Canada by the Canadian HR Awards (2018).

Glain is the author of two Amazon best-selling books: ‘The Grassroots Leadership Revolution’ and ‘Did I Really Sign Up for This’ and has written for several publications including: The Globe & Mail, HR Reporter, Canadian Manager Magazine, Coaching Magazine and Training & Development Magazine. In 2019, Glain was selected from a group of global coaches to appear in ‘An Earned Life’, a documentary about global coaching guru, Dr. Marshall Goldsmith.

Maria D. Brown, PhD, BCC is a researcher, educator, and executive coach at MRG, a global leader in assessment and leadership development. She is trained as a Developmental Psychologist and has spent more than two decades researching human, career and leadership development.

Maria’s research explores contemporary themes in leadership and motivation, including self-confidence, compassion, gender, and generational dynamics. She presents research insights to audiences around the world, and has been published in Coaching Perspectives Magazine, the Talent Development Magazine, and several scientific journals. In her role at MRG, she spearheads both the research and education functions. Her work includes conducting research to support MRG’s global network of certified partners and ensuring the validity and relevance of MRG assessments. Maria works closely with MRG’s other subject matter experts to develop and deliver training programs for coaches and consultants.

Maria’s research on educational practices for adult learners was recognized by the Society for the Teaching of Psychology, and she continues to support an evidence-based approach to education and training.

Maria is based in Kentucky, USA. She holds a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Boston, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Psychology from Vanderbilt University.