Leading Today, Shaping Tomorrow

Welcome to The Way Forward! We are dedicated to leading individuals and organizations towards a brighter tomorrow through inspiration, innovation, and collaboration.

Areas of Expertise

What is The Way Forward?

Today's best organizations are effective because they intentionally operate with at least three mutually supported elements that when led well, make for ideal conditions for employee satisfaction and superior organizational outcomes. These three elements include transformational leadership, a clear vision, and a strong organizational culture. Balancing these three elements creates a transformational leadership environment within the workplace, attracting competent employees and motivating them to rise above mediocrity (Bass, 1990). Combining these three elements is optimal because they naturally create an organizational design that is proactive, agile, innovative, and fast.

What Others Are Saying

“Working with Chris Hughes of The Way Forward was transformational for our organization. He provided “ management tools” that have allowed our people to articulate decisions, request, etc. in a consistent manner that has improved innovation, efficiencies and employee engagement. Specifically, through the use of a tool provided by The Way Forward, we were able to partner with a scholarship foundation that has allowed us to grow in student enrollment and be revenue positive for our organization. I recommend working with The Way Forward in resolving organizational challenges.”

-Clarence Green

JR. Vice President of Culture, NW Missouri State University

I absolutely would recommend The Way Forward! The holistic approach to the complete system is apparent at different stages for different people. This approach led to more thoughts about inner reflection and organizing thoughts as well as projects/responsibilities. You will not regret the time invested in this! If you stay the course, you will immediately see the benefits. You will get out of this what you put into it!”

-Frank Sefrit

CIO/CTO, Farmers Mutual Telephone Company

“The mentorship and the assistance that Maj. General Hughes has provided me personally and our institution has been invaluable. His background and experiences are impressive and his personability, relatability, and humorous yet serious demeanor creates a comfortable coaching environment. Through Chris’s offsite team building interactive workshop he helped our executive leadership council better understand our roles and responsibilities, how we process information, actively create a strategic focus, and how to put operational practices in place to meet are critically important goals. I would highly recommend his executive coaching services. It has been and continues to be an honor to work with Maj. General Hughes, and because of his leadership style he has the ability to take difficult organizational concepts and make them practical and implementable, while most importantly developing us to be engaged, responsible, and more effective leaders.”

-Andreia Nebel

President/CEO, Clarkson Colleg

  • National Security Roundtable- Focus on AI

  • National Security Roundtable- Focus on AI

  • AFEE 2023- AstrumU

  • AFEE 2023- AstrumU