Executive Decision Design

Smart leaders disagree for reasons that are predictable.

Every executive evaluates information differently. They prioritize different risks, move at different speeds, and often define what makes a decision “good” in unique ways. Relationality makes these hidden patterns visible - and useful.

The leadership problem

The problem isn't disagreement.
It's misunderstanding what's driving it.

Those invisible differences don't stay in the boardroom. Every executive decision becomes dozens of operational decisions. That's why the environment where decisions are made matters just as much as the decisions themselves.

Before Relationality

Decisions keep bouncing back to the CEO.

After Relationality

Decisions are made confidently at the appropriate level.

Before Relationality

Leadership meetings end with different interpretations of the same conversation.

After Relationality

Leaders leave with shared understanding and clear next steps.

Before Relationality

Teams align in the room but diverge in execution.

After Relationality

Teams stay aligned because the reasoning behind decisions is shared—not just the outcome.

Before Relationality

The same conflict returns because the underlying assumptions never changed.

After Relationality

Hidden assumptions become visible, turning recurring conflict into productive disagreement.

Better decisions don't come from thinking alike. They come from understanding why you think differently.

The approach

Better decisions require two things.

Leadership leverage shifts as you rise. At the executive level, your job isn't to have the best ideas. It's to create an environment where the best ideas win.

01

Reveal The Invisible

You can't improve what you can't see. Relationality reveals the hidden patterns that shape how executives evaluate information, weigh tradeoffs, and ultimately reach different conclusions.

02

Redesign the Decision Environment.

Use those insights to redesign how decisions are made - creating an environment where different perspectives strengthen judgment, alignment, and execution.

The compounding cost

Invisible problems don't stay invisible.

Every executive decision becomes dozens of operational decisions.

The cost isn't one bad decision. It's hundreds of well-intentioned decisions made from slightly different assumptions.

That's how friction scales.

Disagreement can improve judgment. Invisible disagreement quietly undermines execution.

Where to Begin

Choose the room where change needs to happen.

Engagements range from individual reinforcement to team-wide decision design.

Flagship engagement

Executive Leadership Retreats

We facilitate every conversation end-to-end, translating misunderstandings, surfacing hidden assumptions, and helping leaders productively navigate moments of friction before they become dysfunctional organizational patterns.

Best for: Executive alignment, strategic planning, leadership transitions, decision bottlenecks, and recurring cross-functional friction.

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1:1

Executive Coaching

A strategic thinking partnership for executives navigating high-stakes decisions, organizational complexity, and the human dynamics that influence both.

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Group

Group Coaching

A leadership development program for management teams ready to turn shared insights into more intentional ways of working together, stronger collaboration, and better decisions.

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Gathering

Keynote Speaking

Introducing the science of workplace compatibility and the invisible patterns that shape culture, collaboration, and organizational judgment.

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The science behind the work

Created by behavioral scientist Marlee Whetten, Relationality integrates organizational psychology, evolutionary science, and real-world leadership practice into a new framework for revealing the hidden compatibility patterns that shape organizations.

What leaders say about working with Marlee.

Marlee did a good job pointing out blind spots when it came to my natural communication style in comparison to the natural communication style of some of my directors. This helped me take things less personally and diffuse tension that arose from miscommunication.
Robert — CEO
What really works for me about Marlee’s communication style is her bluntness and willingness to challenge me. She doesn’t sugarcoat things or dance around tough topics - she's clear, direct, and to the point. I appreciate that she doesn’t hold back when I need to be pushed or when my assumptions need to be questioned. That kind of honesty really helps me break through mental roadblocks and see things from a new perspective.
Marcus — Head of Sales
Working with Marlee has made such a difference in my day to day interactions and allowed me to harness a confidence that I already had but was not using to my advantage.
Romy — Founder
With Marlee as my coach I have learned how to be more assertive with maintaining my boundaries. I’ve also become far more intentional with my actions in life - particularly around money where I now have a completely different relationship and experience. I’ve also developed a more keen sense of goal setting and why I haven’t accomplished my goals in the past.
Angela — Middle Manager
Marlee’s coaching was a game-changer for me. She helped me uncover blind spots and reframe challenges in ways I hadn’t considered before. One of the biggest areas of growth came from understanding how my own insecurities and fears influenced my decision-making. She gave me tools to navigate those internal obstacles, which ultimately helped me approach complex problems with more clarity and confidence.
Mark — Chief Innovation Officer
The parts work (IFS) Marlee guided me through was incredibly helpful. It gave me a deeper understanding of the different aspects of myself and how they influence my thoughts and decisions. Beyond that, her ability to truly listen and know exactly when to challenge me made a huge difference. She struck the right balance between support and pushing me outside my comfort zone, which helped me gain real clarity and growth.
Emily — Head of People

Ready to see what you've been missing?

Knowing you made the right executive hire. One major conflict resolved. One strategic decision made faster. For many organizations, that's enough to pay for the investment many times over.