Summit OS: A Fable is a practical and engaging business parable written for growth-minded owners and CEOs of 15–100 employee privately held companies who want to scale successfully without losing control, profitability, or peace of mind. At the center of the story is Dexter Davis & Associates, a once-thriving business now struggling with stalled growth, fractured accountability, and mounting pressure on its leadership team. Founder Dexter Davis, his wife Karola, and their partners face a crossroads that will define their future. With the guidance of a business coach and the Summit OS business operating system , they discover how clarity, discipline, and teamwork can turn a company in crisis into a resilient, growth-driven enterprise. Through this relatable fable, readers follow the journey of a leadership team as they: Clarify direction and align around a shared vision - Translate strategy into disciplined execution - Build accountability and ownership throughout the organization - Empower people to make better decisions - Avoid burnout by creating a company that runs without constant oversight - Dig a moat by developing lasting competitive advantages This is not a textbook or checklist. Instead, it’s a story-driven guide that illustrates how real-world leaders overcome the most common challenges of privately owned, growth-stage companies. From execution breakdowns and strategy gaps to the difficulty of building a truly self-managing organization, the lessons in Summit OS: A Fable are delivered in a format that is easy to read, relatable, and immediately applicable . Whether you lead a professional services firm, a tech-enabled enterprise, or a distribution business , you’ll find tools that foster accountability, team empowerment, profitability, and sustainable growth . The book offers both inspiration and a roadmap , showing how the right framework can make your business more valuable and even prepare it for a future sale or succession. For readers familiar with classics like The Five Dysfunctions of a Team , The Advantage , Scaling Up , or Traction , this book extends that tradition. It delivers a proven system designed specifically for the 15–100 employee segment —a space often too complex for small-business playbooks yet too lean for corporate bureaucracy. Why it matters: Privately owned companies in this range drive much of the U.S. economy, but they are also the most vulnerable. Many never reach their potential because leaders struggle to balance growth with control. Summit OS: A Fable shows how to break through those barriers by installing a practical operating system that enables leaders to regain focus, build competitive strength, and achieve lasting success. About the Author: Steve Preda is a seasoned business coach, author of Pinnacle , Strategy OS , and Buyable , and the creator of the Summit OS framework. After building and selling an investment banking firm in Europe, he moved to the U.S. in 2012. Since then, he has helped thousands of business owners and leadership teams grow their revenues, profits, and organizational strength. His mission is to equip entrepreneurs with the tools and coaching they need to achieve their ideal lives while making a positive impact. By the end of the story, you’ll not only see how the fictional company transforms its culture and results—you’ll also envision how your own organization can climb higher, faster, and with greater confidence. Summit OS: A Fable is your field guide to building the business you’ve always imagined: profitable, sustainable, self-managing, and ultimately more valuable.