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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

Values That Count

“It’s not hard to make decisions once you know what your values are.” That famous line is from Roy E. Disney. Most leaders would agree in principle, but despite our best intentions, living by core values is easier said than done. I often help clients develop compelling core values they will actually utilize. We begin…

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Commitment is an Action

When is it okay to be wishy-washy? It’s perfectly acceptable to be undecided in a restaurant while ordering food. It’s fine to hedge your bets in a game of fantasy football. It is not okay to be uncommitted in the cockpit of a $30 million F-16 fighter jet. When engaging enemy forces in combat, the…

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Secrets of Persistence

When things get rough, are you tempted to throw in the towel? Not Bob Salem. When this guy sets a goal, it’s a done deal. Earlier this year, 53-year-old Bob Salem of Colorado Springs became the fourth person in history to push a peanut to the top of Pikes Peak with his nose. Fighting fatigue…

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