About
DeanSteele.com exists to turn complexity into clarity for founders; operators; and leaders who build with intent. It provides the academic foundation for a multi brand system dedicated to strategic transformation; translating rigorous scholarship into decisions that work in the field.
Purpose and orientation
The research agenda examines how founders think; how organisations evolve; and what reliably drives meaningful scale. It integrates behavioural psychology; change leadership; and AI strategy with live advisory practice. Insights are developed iteratively; tested in real contexts with growth companies; boards; and teams under pressure; and then codified so they can be taught; applied; and audited. The commitment is simple; intellectual honesty; practical relevance; transparent method.
Academic, Simplified; Post Graduate
P.Grad.Dip Private Client Advice
MSc Business Psychology
MA Marketing and Digital Communication
Currently reading, Postgraduate:
Artificial Intelligence Driven Business Transformation;
Change Leadership;
(University of Oxford, Oxford; Paris School of Advanced Business Studies HEC, Paris).
What you will find here
Research and commentary on the behavioural psychology of leadership and change; transformation frameworks that travel across sectors; AI implementation for founders; strategic growth through acquisition
Public lectures; case studies; and long form writing via Substack; with accompanying notes on method and application
Behind the scenes reflections drawn from active advisory and consulting work; anonymised; pattern focused; evidence first
The foundation layer; from scholarship to systems
DeanSteele.com powers three distinct brands; each applying the same evidence base at a different level of intervention:
[Release Nov. 2025]; a modern education platform teaching business transformation through modular frameworks; with specialist tracks in AI and M&A
UnGentle.com; a consulting firm that applies these frameworks for founders and teams through done for you execution; accountable for outcomes; explicit about trade offs
DS.VC; a private strategic advisory tier for founders and executives; building bespoke growth models; ensuring disciplined execution at the highest level
This site is the anchor; the academic journal; the strategic lab; and the mental map that connects research to practice.
Speaking and collaboration
I speak on strategic transformation; founder psychology; and AI led business evolution; typically in private settings; board level sessions; and curated lectures. For academic collaborations; guest lectures; or speaking engagements; please get in touch.
Dean Steele
Business Strategist; Researcher.