The GRITT Stress Test Every ESOP Needs: Are Your People, Culture and Numbers Ready?

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This session equips ESOP leaders with a powerful, people-centered approach to evaluating and strengthening the long-term health of their organization.

We’ll explore the GRITT Stress Test framework by examining how optimistic thinking drives individual resilience and ownership culture, why psychological safety is essential for teams to communicate, adapt, and perform under pressure, and how modern talent strategies, supported by people data and technology, create a workforce built to thrive. Participants will gain practical insights and tools to enhance engagement, predict and navigate stress points, and align their people, culture, and systems for sustainable ESOP success.

Learning objectives

  1. Participants will learn the science behind Explanatory Style-the mental habits that shape how people interpret challenges, setbacks, and successes - and why it is a foundational driver of ESOP culture and performance.
  2. Participants will discover how belonging, trust, and interpersonal safety enable people to adapt more quickly, communicate more openly, and respond creatively to uncertainty.
  3. Attendees will walk through a clear Talent Management Strategy Map that aligns people, roles, systems, and technology in support of a high-performing ownership culture.

Session info

Date & time: April 6, 2026 | 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Presenters: Tom Bagwell, Daniel Hood, and Alexa Lott, GRITT Business Coaching

Sponsor: GRITT Business Coaching

Presenters

Headshot for Tom Bagwell

Tom Bagwell

Tom is the VP of Learning & Development at Gritt Business Coaching. Previously, he was the EVP for an International Truck and Caterpillar dealer for twenty years. His team earned awards for outstanding financial performance and Environmental Stewardship.

Lifelong learner and three-time “Teacher of the Year” professor at CSUEB, Tom graduated from UC Berkeley (BA, Economics & History), University of Chicago (MBA, Finance & Marketing), University of Pennsylvania (Master of Applied Positive Psychology), is a recognized Executive Scholar at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management in Sales and Marketing, and Certified Executive Coach at Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley.

Headshot for Daniel Hood

Daniel Hood

Daniel is a visionary leader with over 20 years of experience building organizations from the ground up. He specializes in developing high-performance teams and has a deep passion for strengthening relationships in individuals and communities.

Certified in Restorative Practices, Trauma Facilitation, and Narrative-Focused Trauma Care, Daniel is currently completing his Master’s Degree in Restorative Practices.

As a gifted and engaging speaker, he connects authentically with his audience, inspiring them to discover their unique gifts and empowering them to lead with purpose. Daniel’s life mission is to strengthen relationships between individuals and communities.

Headshot for Alexa Lott

Alexa Lott

With 25+ years in strategic HR, Alexa combines real-world expertise with behavioral science and AI to help companies build high-trust cultures, retain top talent, and grow confident leaders. She is a certified Predictive Index Partner, Gallup Strengths Coach, and Kolbe Consultant, and the creator of an ESOP custom GPT for her company and an AI-powered coaching tool that personalizes leadership development at scale. As Vice President of Communication for The ESOP Association’s Heart of America Chapter, Alexa speaks nationwide, challenging leaders to rethink how they lead, connect, and unlock the full potential of their employee-owners.

Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a transformative event that will empower you and your organization to thrive in the evolving business landscape of tomorrow.

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