Meet Steve
Meet the author

Steve Black

50+ years leading people in retail grocery — now an author, coach and speaker.

Read Steve's story

About Steve

Steve's story
From the grocery aisle to the boardroom

2nd & 3rd generation authors
Jared, Travis & Dax Black

Speaking appearances
NGA Show, WKU, CGA & more

Videos & interviews
Keynotes, Office Hours & more

Photo gallery
Keynotes, academies & trade shows

Contact Steve
Coaching, speaking & signed copies
Credentials
Maxwell Leadership Certified Coach, Teacher, Trainer & Speaker

NGA-endorsed leadership coach

Contributor, The Shelby Report

Former President & COO of two grocery chains
The Book

The book

The 5 Rules

Rock-solid expectations to transform your culture. Endorsed by Dr. John C. Maxwell.

Buy the book

Explore the book

Book overview
What's inside and who it's for

5 Rules Check-up
Free 2-minute self & team quiz

The 5 Rules Masterclass
Self-paced video course

Bulk orders
Signed by Steve & shipped to you

Endorsements
What leaders are saying

Ask Coach Black
AI guide to The 5 Rules

“

Its pages are filled with common sense, everyday leadership lessons that can truly change your world.

Dr. John C. Maxwell

Edición en español
Services
Leadership Academy

Develop your store leaders

1- or 2-day sessions, powered by The Shelby Report.

See the five ways

Explore services

Culture Boost / Reset
The 5 Rules book & online Masterclass

Leadership Academy
1- or 2-day session, on-site or regional

Business Coaching
Sales, margins & customer engagement

Annual Planning Sessions
Strategy for the year ahead

Executive Coaching
One-on-one, monthly Zoom calls

Keynote speaking
Conferences & leadership events

Leadership Values Alignment
Values assessment & team gap analysis

Brighter Day Digital
AI Team Guide, team apps & websites
For grocery & retail leaders
28+ retailers & wholesalers in the movement

16+ associations & partners

NGA-endorsed leadership coach

Contributor, The Shelby Report
Insights

Leadership

2026 Year in Review – 2026 Leadership Lessons in Bite-Size Nuggets
Read the article →

Explore insights

Blog
Leadership & growth articles

Rocky Mountain Gold
Leadership lessons from Colorado

News
Announcements & press

Case studies
The 5 Rules in practice

Videos
Synced live from YouTube

Downloads
Free tools & resources

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Blog · Lessons · News

Case Studies

How retailers and teams put The 5 Rules to work — and what changed.

Popular:

Leadership

2026 Year in Review – 2026 Leadership Lessons in Bite-Size Nuggets

November

Leadership

November Is When Leadership Becomes Visible

Schuller composite

Leadership

A Brighter Day on the Other Side of the Holidays

A Call for Civility

Leadership

A Call for Civility

Appreciate you

Leadership

3 words more important than “I Love You”

America 250 grocery celebration

Leadership

Rules That Built the Grocery Industry — And Still Run It – 250 years later!

Lessons from Lou Holtz

Leadership

Lessons from Lou Holtz

BE THE LEADER PEOPLE WANT TO WORK FOR

Leadership

BE THE LEADER PEOPLE WANT TO WORK FOR

Leadership

Leadership, Math, and the Power of Perspective

Primetime

Leadership

Prime Time

It doesn’t matter what you can do, it matters what you do

Leadership

Coach to Behaviors, and the Numbers Will Follow

winning customers with kindness

Be Kind

Winning with Kindness

Case Study

Case Studies

Investing in Employee Development & Team Culture

Alliance Retail Group: Investing in Employee Development & Team Culture -Through “5 Rule Friday” Recognition Background Alliance Retail

Read article →

January 10, 2024