The Pixel Dreams ‘Leadership Team’ recently changed its name to the ‘Executive Team’. This memo explains the why behind this change.
Leadership is not a title, but a choice.
Leadership shows itself in one’s thoughts, actions, and resulting outcomes. At PD, we believe that anyone, inexperienced or seasoned, can think, behave, and influence as a leader and, therefore, doesn’t need permission or assignment to embody leadership.
Many areas to lead, many ways to lead them.
Beyond leading our company and our teams, there are many arenas calling for leadership at PD. Peers, projects, initiatives, plans, ideas, crafts, styles, values, standards, practices, conversations, and so much more ― all these areas can benefit from leadership.
Now is the time.
At our 2025 Summer Summit, during the presentation on elevating teamwork and leadership to serve PD’s growing ambitions, we called on everyone in our company to look around for something they could lead and step up to lead it. This call to leadership inspired us to retire the old moniker ‘Leadership Team”, as it would suggest that only the members have the responsibility to lead. We decided to make this small change to recognize and honour the many leaders across our company.
What’s in a name?
What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet.
Nah, JC, there’s a lot in a name. A name can carry much intention, impression, and meaning. That’s why details matter.
Team: “Okay, Lan. You recommended a change of name. You’re our CMO. What names do you have for us?”
Lan: “There are four options from the business world. IMO, the last option is the only suitable option for us.”
- Executive Leadership Team / ELT
Too long, and too big for our size. - Management Team / MT
Doesn’t encompass all of our duties. - Top Management Team / TMT
Overly academic and not aligned with servant leadership. - Executive Team / ET
We can dig that, the only problem is…
…
Lan: “How about XT?”
Team:
- “Ooooh, sounds cool!”
- “X sounds closer to Exec than E does.”
- “Yeah, I like the letter X!”
- “We get to call ourselves X-Men!”
- “Ahem…. X-People!”
Bye-bye LT. Hello XT.
What does our XT do?
This team works together to protect, strengthen, and advance our company. Every week, the XT meets to have vital discussions, engage in lively debates, and make essential decisions ― plus, indulge in occasional banter in between. Every quarter, this team reports on results, sets new missions, and adjusts course.
Overall, the XT is responsible for steering PD and is accountable for our company’s livelihood by performing these duties:
1. Set Direction
Distill vision, then define missions, goals, and targets towards vision.
Align all teams to respective missions and goals.
Steer resources and investments towards our core purpose (Raise Intelligence + Awareness).
2. Make Enterprise Decisions
Prioritize what matters most, including goals, investments, and tradeoffs.
Strategize short-term execution towards long-term vision.
Allocate resources (time, people, money) in ways that best serve the strategy.
3. Oversee Execution
Define and monitor success metrics and outcomes.
Remove roadblocks, unlock teams, and raise standards.
Set organizational rhythms for cohesion (MMM, Friducation, 1:1s, QBRs).
4. Strengthen & Protect Culture
Recruit, develop, and retain A-players.
Model organizational values through personal behaviour.
Foster an environment where trust, healthy conflict, commitment, accountability, and results flourish.
5. Develop the Next Generation
Mentor and coach department heads and emerging leaders.
Build and strengthen leadership capacity needed for scale.
Plan and ensure succession.
In short, the XT keeps PD moving forward in the direction of intentional, sustainable growth towards our long-term vision of being a 100-year-old company.
