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Meet Jay Hidalgo

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Meet Jay Hidalgo

For over a decade, Jay Hidalgo has focused his work on helping leaders and teams gain clarity, alignment, and forward momentum through the disciplined use of the StratOp process, LifePlan, and executive coaching. Rather than offering advice from a distance, Jay partners closely with leaders to facilitate conversations that help them see their business, their leadership, and their future with greater precision.

Through StratOp, Jay has guided leadership teams in defining where they are, clarifying where they’re going, and building practical, actionable plans that drive results. His work doesn’t end with planning; it extends into execution by helping teams stay aligned, accountable, and focused on what matters most. Alongside this, his LifePlan work brings the same level of intentionality to the personal side of leadership, helping individuals align their professional responsibilities with a deeper sense of purpose and direction.

As an executive coach, Jay works one-on-one and with leadership teams to strengthen decision-making, foster healthy team dynamics, and develop the kind of leadership presence that organizations depend on, especially in seasons of growth, uncertainty, or transition.

With over 35 years of business experience, Jay brings both practical insight and a steady, guiding presence to his clients. His experience spans a wide range of organizations, including Herman Miller, Michelin, Oracle, Ariba, NCR Corporation, Toshiba, Rubbermaid, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Haworth, and Pitney Bowes.

At the core of his work is a simple belief: leaders don’t need more information—they need clarity, structure, and a trusted partner to help them think well and move forward with confidence.

When he’s not serving clients, Jay enjoys time with his wife, Janice, and their family in West Michigan. You’ll often find him outdoors hiking, biking, and kayaking, or relaxing with a bourbon, a cigar, and good conversation.

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Articles Written by Jay

Business Coaching: Qualities of a Good Coach

What are the qualities of a good business coach? It’s important to find a business coach with experience, drive, creativity, and empathy.

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Choosing the Right Meeting Cadence for Your Team

How to Improve Meetings: Better Cadence & Rhythm Years ago, I saw the following advertisement headline: “Meetings, the creative alternative to working!” The faux ad went on to promote all the benefits of meetings: how they allow you to avoid work, let you reconnect with friends, provide an escape from the day-to-day. Most of us…

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8 Questions to Ask a Business Coach Before Hiring

Should I Hire a Business Coach? If you’re reading this, you very well may be expecting me to answer with, “Yes, and make sure you hire me.”  Well, sorry to disappoint.  The reality is that the answer to that question really depends on the answers to a variety of questions, the first of which is,…

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