
Outmaneuvering Goliath
by Paul Theisen
Publisher
Forbes Books
Publication
Apr 06, 2027
Format
Hardback
Illustrated
No
Price
31.99
Dimensions
6 x 9 in
ISBN
9798901800331
Pages
300
Category
Business & EconomicsCareerManagement & Leadership
Rights Sold
🌍 World Wide Rights Available
Description
Awards & Endorsements
Review
Author(s)
Paul Theisen
Related Titles
Outmaneuvering Goliath
by Paul Theisen
Middle-market companies don’t lack ambition. What they lack is access to the kind of executive judgment that larger competitors take for granted. In Outmaneuvering Goliath, Paul Theisen shows middle-market leaders how to close that gap without hiring a full-time executive they don’t yet need.
Drawing on nearly three decades as a three-time CIO and founder of a leading fractional executive services firm, Paul reveals why AI is raising the premium on leadership rather than replacing it. He also explains why the middle-market’s flat structure can be a hidden competitive strength.
Inside, readers will discover:
Why “good enough” leadership costs more than the right leader ever will How the Pyramid of Chaos explains why smart teams keep making bad bets The Five Nouns and Four Verbs operating model that any C-suite can apply How to evaluate and onboard a fractional executive with confidence Why adoption is the true measure of technology ROI For middle-market leaders ready to compete on wisdom rather than scale, this book delivers the clarity the moment demands.
Reviews, Awards & Endorsements
Review
“In his latest project, Outmaneuvering Goliath, Paul Theisen shows us his authentic approach to helping others. Using stories and language that are quick to grasp, Paul’s real passion for serving others shines through. The energy he shares through his writing and insight is a lasting way to continue to share his leadership approach.”
— Scott Delaney
Former Vice President & General Manager, Tech Data Lifecycle Services; Managing Partner, Tiburon Cloud Partners
“I had the opportunity to work closely with Paul and saw firsthand his ability to think strategically, make difficult decisions, and still drive the tactics necessary to get results. Outmaneuvering Goliath reflects the same qualities I saw in Paul as an executive—clarity of thought, sound judgment, persistence, and a practical understanding of how organizations really operate. It is a valuable book for mid-market leaders who understand that you don’t need to be the biggest company to be the better competitor.”
— Mike Kemper
Former President & CEO, NPL Construction Company; Consultant and Board Director
“The business landscape has fundamentally shifted. Private equity consolidation, artificial intelligence disruption, volatile capital markets, and relentless supply chain pressures have created an environment where mid-sized companies face an existential crossroads—adapt or be absorbed.
Paul’s book is the strategic playbook that middle-market leaders have been desperately waiting for. Rather than viewing their size as a liability, Paul masterfully reframes it as a competitive superpower—unlocking the agility, speed, and market intelligence that neither startups nor enterprise giants can replicate. “This is not theory. This is a battle-tested road map for thriving in one of the most challenging business climates in modern history. Every middle-market executive needs to consider these ideas as a way to succeed going forward.”
— David Myles
Former Private Equity Operating Partner, Bestige Holdings; 3x CEO; Board...
Author

Paul Theisen
PAUL THEISEN is the founder and CEO of TAG CXO, a fractional and interim executive services firm that places enterprise-trained executives into middle-market companies. A three-time Chief Information Officer with a twenty-eight-year career in commercial construction and global manufacturing, Paul launched TAG CXO in 2019 after recognizing that operators with enterprise-scale complexity rarely had access to enterprise-caliber leadership. Under his leadership, TAG CXO has delivered sustained high growth—43 percent CAGR over six years, accelerating to 51.5 percent in 2024 and 62.5 percent in 2025. Paul writes and speaks frequently on fractional leadership and the future of C-suite talent allocation.
Current Licenses
🌍 World Wide Rights Available