Rusty Davidson has spent the better part of two decades challenging a fundamental assumption about leadership: that it’s reserved for those who feel ready. Through his firm, Black Lake Consulting Inc., he’s reached over one million individuals across the country with a different message—that leadership is a behavior, not a personality type.
The numbers suggest people are listening. Davidson has delivered more than 700 presentations at universities, corporations, and organizations nationwide. His firm specializes in working with what he calls “reluctant leaders”—college students about to enter the workforce, early-career professionals suddenly managing teams, and mid-level employees who never saw themselves in leadership roles.
Two Frameworks, One Philosophy
At the center of Black Lake Consulting’s approach are two platforms that translate leadership concepts into immediate action. The WILD Leader framework pushes individuals to act before they feel completely prepared—a direct counter to the traditional wait-and-see approach many emerging leaders adopt. Paired with The ABCs of Leadership, a structured system that breaks down complex leadership concepts into repeatable steps, the firm offers what Davidson describes as “leadership you can actually use on Monday morning.”
This practical focus has resonated particularly well in university settings and with organizations struggling to develop their next generation of managers. Rather than inspiring audiences temporarily, the leadership coaching and training programs equip participants with specific tools for making decisions under pressure and taking ownership without waiting for perfect conditions.
Building a National Platform
Davidson’s book, The ABCs of Leadership for College Students, extends this methodology into a format students can reference throughout their careers. The work has helped establish Black Lake Consulting as a go-to resource for institutions looking to prepare students for the realities of workplace leadership—where authority often comes before confidence.
Looking ahead, the firm plans to scale its reach through expanded university partnerships and corporate programs. Davidson is developing The WILD Leader Ecosystem which includes new books plus Companion Guides and creating digital training resources designed to reach leaders who may never attend a live keynote. The goal is to establish the WILD Leader framework as a recognized standard for developing emerging leaders across industries.
What distinguishes Black Lake Consulting in a crowded field isn’t flashy promises or complex methodologies. It’s the recognition that most people don’t wait to lead until they feel ready—they’re thrust into situations requiring leadership and need tools that work immediately. By focusing on decision-making and action rather than abstract concepts, the firm addresses a gap many traditional leadership development programs miss: the space between understanding leadership and actually doing it.
