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Table of Contents
About the Book
Middle-market companies don’t lack ambition. What they lack is access to the kind of executive judgment that larger competitors take for granted. In Outmaneuvering Goliath, Paul Theisen shows middle-market leaders how to close that gap without hiring a full-time executive they don’t yet need.
Drawing on nearly three decades as a three-time CIO and founder of a leading fractional executive services firm, Paul reveals why AI is raising the premium on leadership rather than replacing it. He also explains why the middle-market’s flat structure can be a hidden competitive strength.
Inside, readers will discover:
- Why “good enough” leadership costs more than the right leader ever will
- How the Pyramid of Chaos explains why smart teams keep making bad bets
- The Five Nouns and Four Verbs operating model that any C-suite can apply
- How to evaluate and onboard a fractional executive with confidence
- Why adoption is the true measure of technology ROI
For middle-market leaders ready to compete on wisdom rather than scale, this book delivers the clarity the moment demands.
Product Details
- Publisher: Forbes Books (April 6, 2027)
- Length: 300 pages
- ISBN13: 9798901800331
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Raves and Reviews
“In his latest project, Outmaneuvering Goliath, Paul Theisen shows us his authentic approach to helping others. Using stories and language that are quick to grasp, Paul’s real passion for serving others shines through. The energy he shares through his writing and insight is a lasting way to continue to share his leadership approach.”
— Scott Delaney
Former Vice President & General Manager, Tech Data Lifecycle Services; Managing Partner, Tiburon Cloud Partners
“I had the opportunity to work closely with Paul and saw firsthand his ability to think strategically, make difficult decisions, and still drive the tactics necessary to get results. Outmaneuvering Goliath reflects the same qualities I saw in Paul as an executive—clarity of thought, sound judgment, persistence, and a practical understanding of how organizations really operate. It is a valuable book for mid-market leaders who understand that you don’t need to be the biggest company to be the better competitor.”
— Mike Kemper
Former President & CEO, NPL Construction Company; Consultant and Board Director
“The business landscape has fundamentally shifted. Private equity consolidation, artificial intelligence disruption, volatile capital markets, and relentless supply chain pressures have created an environment where mid-sized companies face an existential crossroads—adapt or be absorbed.
Paul’s book is the strategic playbook that middle-market leaders have been desperately waiting for. Rather than viewing their size as a liability, Paul masterfully reframes it as a competitive superpower—unlocking the agility, speed, and market intelligence that neither startups nor enterprise giants can replicate. “This is not theory. This is a battle-tested road map for thriving in one of the most challenging business climates in modern history. Every middle-market executive needs to consider these ideas as a way to succeed going forward.”
— David Myles
Former Private Equity Operating Partner, Bestige Holdings; 3x CEO; Board Director; Vistage Chair
“Outmaneuvering Goliath contains fresh insights and encouraging inspiration for middle-market CEOs! Paul provides convincing arguments and practical strategies to outperform larger competitors with technology reaching its full potential to catalyze growth.”
— Mike Stanley
Chair, C12 Greater Phoenix; Board Director
“Paul Theisen clearly articulates a challenge many growing companies face but struggle to define: leadership complexity outpacing organizational capacity. As a COO who successfully integrated a fractional CIO into our business, I have seen firsthand many of the advantages described in this book. Outmaneuvering Goliath offers practical insights for leaders looking to scale smarter, make better decisions, and unlock the full potential of their organizations.”
— Alfonso Trujillo
Chief Operating Officer, MMI Industrial & Steel
“There’s an adage that ‘the strong beat the weak, and the smart beat the strong.’ Paul provides relatable stories on how mid-market companies can leverage leadership and technology to outmaneuver their goliath competition. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand how to combine the nimbleness of a mid-market company with the leadership talent of a goliath.”
— Eric Walter
Chief Financial Officer & Private Equity Operating Partner, DMC Global
“A clear perspective on challenges growing companies face but few recognize. Calling out the gap between organizational complexity and leadership capacity is a bedrock challenge faced by management in every organization. Paul makes a compelling case that technology and AI are not substitutes for judgment; rather, they amplify the discipline, clarity, and accountability already present in an organization. His practical framework for aligning leadership, talent, and technology gives middle-market leaders a way to move with greater confidence, agility, and intention. Most importantly, the book reminds me that the real competitive advantage is not having more resources, but knowing how to apply the right judgment at the right time.”
— Chad Fay
President, High Country Fence
“Growth creates complexity, and complexity can quickly become the enemy of performance. Outmaneuvering Goliath provides a compelling perspective on how mid-market companies can compete with much larger organizations by being more intentional about where they apply experience, judgment, and leadership capability. Paul Theisen makes a strong case that companies do not need big-company bureaucracy to benefit from big-company thinking. For leaders focused on scaling a business while preserving agility and accountability, this is a highly relevant and practical book.”
— Zant Chapel
Chief Performance & Integration Officer, Kinematics
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