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About DDI

Welcome to DDI—a global leadership consulting firm that helps organizations hire, promote, and develop exceptional leaders. From first-time managers to C-suite executives, our commitment is to be by your side to help you tackle leadership challenges that impact your 480-minute workday. We invite you to spend a few minutes getting to know us, and our approach to leadership.

About DDI

Global Leadership:
By Your Side Around the World

Pay it Forward:
DDI and the Community

#LifeAtDDI:
Meet Our People

Why DDI?

Better leaders mean better business. Helping companies choose the right people for leadership positions and teaching them the skills needed to succeed is our passion. We do this at every level of the organization, from helping you recognize leadership potential to putting your next CEO in place.

When you and your leaders invest in a new leadership approach, system, or program, you expect it to work. We have the proof that our solutions deliver results—from increased productivity to higher retention rates, from stronger leadership skills to ROI—and the numbers speak for themselves.

Ask anyone at DDI what they do, and they’ll tell you—they help build better leaders for a better future. Every person you’ll work with is invested in helping you drive success. Over the years, Bersin’s Leadership Development Study has cited DDI as serving its clients more effectively than 22 other leadership development consultancies. We consistently deliver what’s required to enhance the skills your people need to be outstanding leaders, leading to improved business results.

Download our corporate brochure

Our Approach

We failed to create a 25^th hour in the day. Instead, we created Leadership 480^SM.

Based on our experience working with millions of leaders around the world for five decades, we have come to one simple conclusion: Time is the number one barrier to great leadership. The constant demands on leaders’ time and attention creates tremendous focus on what’s urgent, while ignoring what’s important.

We can change that. Leadership 480^SM is DDI’s strategic framework to help you hire, promote, and develop exceptional leaders who maximize their effectiveness in every minute, every day, and every month of their careers. And it all revolves around one powerful number: 480.

Learn more on our approach to 480

What We Do

They say experience is a great teacher, and we’ve been teaching leadership for five decades. Here’s a breakdown of how we’re seriously prepared to work with you:

Leadership Strategy

A business strategy without a leadership strategy is a car without an engine. Determine your leadership needs by identifying what’s working, what’s not, and establishing priorities.

Leadership Selection

Strong leaders drive performance. Hire and promote the right people with scientifically-proven assessments and interviewing systems.

Leadership Development

Help your leaders maximize their impact on your business by giving them skills they can use every day to engage and inspire their teams.

Succession Management

People leave. That’s a fact. Succession planning is critical if you are to withstand this kind of change. Ensure you have emerging leaders in place now.

Who We Are

Millions of better leaders later, we’re still as proud and excited about what we do as the day we started. We have some of the most sought-after leadership experts in the world to thank for that. The number-one reason our clients say they love working with DDI is our people. They aren’t just consultants—they’re partners who become involved in your journey and want to make sure your investment of time and resources deliver the results you need.

Our History

Five decades of experience has confirmed, time after time, the importance of making good hiring decisions and of giving leaders the skills they need to excel. From the invention of behavior-based interviewing to thought leadership and award-winning leadership programs, we are immensely proud of our legacy. Like the assessment program we pioneered with a top-secret government agency in the '70s—it became the foundation for assessment centers all over the world today! Click on the timeline to learn more about DDI milestones.

Meet Our Leadership Team

Our management team has a long history of entrepreneurship and a business philosophy that equally benefits our clients, our associates, and our company. Click on a photo below to get to know our leaders.

Get to know:

Tacy Byham, Ph.D.

As DDI Chief Executive Officer, Tacy oversees the organization’s day-to-day operations and is spearheading increased strategic focus on DDI's core of leadership insight and growth.
Learn more about Tacy

Get to know:

David Tessmann-Keys

As president, David is responsible for developing and executing DDI’s global business strategy, including sales, marketing, business development, consulting, and financial performance.
Learn more about David

Get to know:

Bill Byham, Ph.D.

Bill Byham is cofounder and executive chairman of DDI. Bill works to establish the vision, values, and strategic direction of the company. He supervises major DDI product development and consulting projects.
Learn more about Bill

Get to know:

Matt Paese, Ph.D.

Matthew is the leader of DDI’s Executive Services group, where he and his team help CEOs, boards, senior teams, and executives enhance leadership to grow business, cultural, and personal success.
Learn more about Matthew

Get to know:

Doug Reynolds, Ph.D.

Doug Reynolds, Ph.D., is the Executive Vice President of Innovations and Technology at DDI and leader of the product management, project development, and technology groups.
Learn more about Douglas

Get to know:

Audrey Smith, Ph.D.

Dr. Audrey Smith co-leads DDI’s Executive Services business with over 25 years’ experience with boards, CEOs, and executive teams striving for high performance.
Learn more about Audrey

Get to know:

Patsy Tsao

Patsy Tsao is senior vice president and chief financial officer of DDI. She is responsible for the administrative, financial, and risk management operations of the company worldwide.
Learn more about Patsy

Get to know:

Bruce Watt, Ph.D.

Bruce is responsible for creating and executing DDI’s business strategy across Europe, India, and Australia. He also supports DDI’s Global Centre for Excellence, focusing on client service and experience.
Learn more about Bruce

Get to know:

Mindy Yeh

Mindy Yeh leads DDI's business strategy and operations in the Greater China region, including Hong Kong, Mainland China, and Taiwan.
Learn more about Mindy