LEARN. GROW. PROSPER.

CACTUS Leadership is grounded in the belief that life gets prickly, but growth comes when we stay rooted in what matters most:
Our people, our purpose, and our principles.
“Sincerity leads to trust, and trust leads to commitment, and commitment leads to growth and great results.”Chad Newell, Founder & CEO

WHAT IS CACTUS?

CACTUS Leadership is a consulting firm and leadership philosophy grounded in a passion for helping individuals flourish personally and collectively. Combining decades of leadership, culture, and strategic development experience with commonsense communication, CACTUS aims to help professionals at any stage grow and serve well.

CACTUS: 12 STEPS TO PROSPERITY

Newell’s book CACTUS: 12 Steps to Prosperity Especially When Life Gets Prickly serves as a foundational guide for individuals, non-profits, churches, small businesses, and large corporations looking to grow and prosper through principled leadership and focus.

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CACTUS LEADERSHIP

CACTUS Leadership is a private consulting firm designed to help organizations of all sizes, sectors, and stages build stronger and more prosperous teams, cultures, and strategies.

  • LEADERSHIP KEYNOTES & TRAINING
  • CULTURE & COMMUNICATION
  • EXECUTIVE COACHING
  • STRATEGY

THE CACTUS PRINCIPLES

When We Are

ROOTED IN CHARACTER…

How we lead, serve, and show up for others starts with how we how we carry ourselves. Who we are and what we believe becomes what others see and feel.

CACTUS Teaches:

Character – Confidence
Attitude – Availability

…and Focus On

GROWING TOGETHER…

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Talent is important, but truly successful teams are formed when talented people come together with shared trust, respect, and commitment.

CACTUS Teaches:

Commitment – Caring
Teamwork – Talent

…Our Teams Can

FLOURISH FORWARD.

When our people are rooted individually and aligned collectively, only then can our visionary ideas flower and make a meaningful impact.

CACTUS Teaches:

Unity – Understanding
Sight – Sincerity

When We Are
ROOTED IN CHARACTER…
How we lead, serve, and show up for others starts with how we how we carry ourselves. Who we are and what we believe becomes what others see and feel.
CACTUS Teaches:
Character – Confidence
Attitude – Availability
…and Focus On
GROWING TOGETHER…
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Talent is important, but truly successful teams are formed when talented people come together with shared trust, respect, and commitment.
CACTUS Teaches:
Commitment – Caring
Teamwork – Talent
…Our Teams Can
FLOURISH FORWARD.
When our people are rooted individually and aligned collectively, only then can our visionary ideas flower and make a meaningful impact.
CACTUS Teaches:
Unity – Understanding
Sight – Sincerity
CACTUS is a simple framework for individuals and teams that want to be better together, especially when life gets prickly.

CACTUS: 12 Steps to Prosperity

Especially When Life Gets Prickly
The CACTUS book is a practical guide to mastering the CACTUS principles–Character, Confidence, Attitude, Availability, Teamwork, Talent, Unity, Understanding, Sight, and Sincerity–and flourish even through the tough moments.

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“Chad has knocked it out of the park with CACTUS! His leadership insights will help anchor you and your business, especially when life gets prickly. His vulnerability in sharing how setbacks have shaped his growth is a great reminder that it’s not what happens to you but what happens next.”

– Jon Gordon, 18X bestselling author of The Energy Bus and The Carpenter

“Chad has given us a lot to think about with CACTUS. These are practical steps to apply at home and work as we strive to create healthy environments where people are cared for, challenged, and encouraged to do great things.”

– Valorie Burton, USA Today Bestselling author of Rules of Resilience and CEO, The CaPP Institute

“We all go through trials and tribulations in life and when adversity knocks, we better be rooted in character traits that will sustain us in the hard times. Through CACTUS, Chad does an amazing job demonstrating steps to help guide us personally and professionally.”

– Damon West, bestselling coauthor of The Coffee Bean

“Life gets hard. Growth gets uncomfortable. And that’s exactly why this book matters. CACTUS is a powerful guide for anyone who wants to keep moving forward when things feel heavy, uncertain, or overwhelming. It’s thoughtful, practical, and deeply encouraging. This is the kind of book you’ll underline, dog-ear, and come back to when you need perspective and momentum.”

– Jess Ekstrom, author of Making It WIthout Losing It

“Chad Newell has created a powerful, faith-filled framework that meets people right where they are and guides them toward who they’re called to become. The steps are both deeply personal and highly practical, reminding us that real growth starts within and then multiplies outward. If you’ve ever faced a drought and long to flourish again, Chad offers a clear, hopeful path forward. Read this book.”

– John O’Leary, inspirational speaker, #1 national bestselling author and the subject of the film Soul on Fire

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Chad Newell is Founder & CEO of CACTUS Leadership, LLC, and President of the Area Development Partnership, the regional chamber of commerce and economic development organization for Greater Hattiesburg, Mississippi, a role he has held since 2009.

With over three decades of experience across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors in the Southeast, he has led teams behind projects generating billions in investment and thousands of jobs. A Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member, Chad focuses on servant leadership, right-fit talent, and an intentional culture that drives results. A native Mississippian, he holds an economics degree from Mississippi State University and a Master’s in Economic Development from The University of Southern Mississippi. He lives in Hattiesburg with his wife, Jennifer, and their family.

CHAD NEWELL
CACTUS Founder & CEO
Author of CACTUS: 12 Steps to Prosperity