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When James Rhee walked into the failing headquarters of Ashley Stewart—no Wi-Fi, no polish, just a worn-out fridge and a committed team—he wasn’t just stepping into a distressed retail business. He was entering a system of care that accounting couldn’t explain.

In this story of radical leadership, James redefines value—not through spreadsheets, but through kindness, trust, and human agency. Drawing on systems thinking, musical metaphors, and a reimagined balance sheet, Rhee transforms the business from the inside out. His model? Start with connection, listen deeply, and let the people closest to the action lead.

What emerges is a fresh take on leadership that fuses presence with pragmatism—and proves that kindness scales.