James "Jim" Saliba

James “Jim” Saliba helps capable leaders stop firefighting and start leading like they actually own the place.

He is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and former vice president at a multi-billion-dollar technology company, where he spent over three decades working his way from software engineer to senior executive. Along the way, Jim learned the hard truth most leadership books skip, smart people don’t struggle because they lack talent, they struggle because they’re leading without a system.

Today, Jim works with directors, vice presidents, founders, and senior executives who are expected to think strategically, lead confidently, and deliver results, yet find themselves buried in meetings, inbox triage, and decisions that should not require their constant involvement. His work helps leaders step up a level, claim ownership of their space, and stop operating one rung below where they already belong.

Jim is the creator of the Six-Step Leadership Challenge, a practical framework built around experimentation, reflection, and real-world action, not binders that collect dust. His latest book, Lead Like a CEO: The 90-Day Leadership Operating System, brings that work together into a clear, repeatable system for leading boldly, building strategically, and scaling impact without burning out or waiting for permission.

He is also the host of the Building Legendary Leaders podcast and livestream series, where he blends sharp strategy with candid coaching conversations and the occasional well-earned reality check.

Based in San Jose, California, Jim splits his time between coaching leaders, creating content, and working in the kitchen or the woodshop. Lead Like a CEO is written for leaders who are done being busy, tired of playing small, and ready to show up like the role is already theirs.