Jon Bassford, JD, MBA, CAE, is a best-selling author, TEDx speaker, and
operations expert helping organizations scale by transforming curiosity
into a competitive advantage. With a background that bridges law,
philosophy, and executive operations, Jon brings a distinctive blend
of sharp systems thinking and human-centered leadership to every
engagement.

As founder of Lateral Solutions, Jon partners with founders and
executive teams to install repeatable systems that replace chaos with
clarity. His methodology—rooted in curiosity as a leadership tool—
begins with deep operational diagnostics (including his 47-point ops
maturity review) and evolves into practical frameworks that drive
sustainable execution. The result? Fewer bottlenecks, cleaner
handoffs, and companies that are easier to fund, run, and sell.

Whether he’s working with a venture-backed startup, a national
association, or a growth-stage services firm, Jon’s mission is consistent:
Trust the Process. That means helping teams design smarter systems,
make better decisions faster, and build cultures where truth rises
quickly. His work empowers leaders to shift from firefighting to
foresight—freeing them to lead with clarity, confidence, and calm.

Curiosity isn’t just Jon’s superpower, it’s the core of his process. It
enables innovation, unlocks hidden capacity, and challenges the
assumption that leaders must always have the answer. Instead,
Jon shows that the right question can change everything.