The Origin of Orion

"You need to pick a lane."

That's what a well-meaning mentor told me fifteen years ago, unable to categorize my seemingly scattered career path. I nodded politely, but something inside me rebelled. Throughout my career, I've intentionally crossed boundaries others warned me not to cross: management consultant, experience & service designer, systems librarian, university professor in design and law, facilitator, professional coach, business analyst, programmer, product manager, UX designer & researcher — and a few more.

At first, I simply wanted to understand how things worked. Later, it became about something deeper: what made people think, act, and speak the way they did. Human behavior, systems, and experiences became the lens through which I saw the world — and the thread that connected all my work.

Of course, weaving between disciplines isn't the easy road. It demands humility, resilience, and a tireless commitment to learning. I'm sure I've surpassed the so-called 10,000-hour rule in many of these areas. But that was never the point. I've always been more focused on becoming the best version of myself — and helping others do the same.

One of the most profound lessons I've learned is that the quality of the questions we ask — of ourselves and others — shapes everything.

This realization didn't come quickly. It took decades of listening, experimenting, failing, learning, and listening again. Creativity and personal transformation have been hallmarks of this journey. And to be fair, I don't know many people who share the same risk appetite: the willingness to step into uncertainty, to trade comfort for growth, again and again.

It's not the easy path. But it's the one that has always felt most true to who I am. And in a world changing faster than ever, the instinct to adapt, to explore, and to build something new has become essential.

The Cost of Not Fitting In

Choosing a path like this came with trade-offs. In a world that often prefers tidy labels and predictable career arcs, it wasn't always easy to explain my journey. Recruiters, employers, even casual acquaintances sometimes struggled to "fit" me into a simple category. I remember many times I felt like what was gleaned was just few words on piece of paper that needed to be quickly scanned. And not a human being that is insatiably curious that has made real sacrifices to improve. Early on, that was frustrating. I sometimes wondered if I had made things harder for myself by refusing to stay in one lane.

There were times it felt isolating, wondering if anyone could see the bigger pattern I was chasing. But over time, I realized something deeper: The real opportunity wasn't in fitting into someone else's framework — it was in building bridges between disciplines, between people, and between what's human and what's possible.

This interdisciplinary approach—once a professional liability—would eventually become my greatest asset. Some people call that range. The ability to see connections between seemingly unrelated fields allowed me to recognize patterns that specialists might miss. And this perspective would prove particularly valuable as technology began to accelerate in ways few had anticipated.

A Turning Point

Three years ago, something shifted.

AI, once rigid and rule-bound, was beginning to evolve. Generative models were making it possible not just to automate tasks, but to scale insight, creativity, and connection.

It wasn't just about speed anymore. It was about possibility. Could we use technology not to replace what's human, but to amplify it?

I had studied AI years earlier in graduate school, back when it was mostly rule-based and rigid — impressive in some ways, but limited. Back then, it was hard to imagine the kind of transformative potential we are beginning to see today. But deep down, I always knew the day would come — ever since picking up a copy of The Age of Spiritual Machines by Ray Kurzweil back in 1999. That book planted a seed: the belief that technology could, and would, eventually reshape human potential in ways we were only beginning to glimpse.

What became clear to me was this: AI is not just an efficiency tool — it's a creativity amplifier. But only if we use it with intention.

In the same way that a great instrument doesn't replace a musician, AI doesn't replace human leadership, imagination, or purpose. It expands what's possible.

Creativity — once considered the domain of a few — will soon be the essential skill for everyone. And like any essential skill, creativity is a muscle that can be developed through consistent, thoughtful practice. This realization fundamentally shaped how I would eventually approach leadership development.

In a world shaped by AI, the ability to imagine, to connect seemingly unrelated ideas, to innovate with empathy and purpose — these are the new foundations of leadership.

The opportunity — and the responsibility — was clear. If we weren't thoughtful, AI could strip away what matters most. But if we moved with intention, it could elevate humanity to new heights.

From Personal Journey to Shared Vision

My winding career path had prepared me for this moment in a way a more traditional trajectory might not have. The years spent crossing disciplines, asking questions, and building connections had given me a unique perspective on both technology and human potential. It was time to channel these insights into something tangible.

This became the foundation for Orion.

Orion wasn't built to chase shiny technologies. It was built to help people build resilience, creativity, and leadership — in a future where change is constant and connection is critical.

Building something meaningful was never meant to be a solo journey. At the same time that I was grappling with the future of leadership and human growth, a few extraordinary people were feeling the same pull — a belief that something better was possible, and necessary.

Together, we created Orion Group — not to offer easy answers, but to build a true foundation for continuous, human-centered growth. A place where creativity, resilience, and leadership could be nurtured every day, not just talked about once a year.

Complementary Visions

What makes Orion unique isn't just a shared belief in human potential, but the diverse perspectives and strengths each founder brings to this vision:

Xiao Zhang's journey through coaching, education and community building has shaped her approach to learning experiences. She brings a natural ability to inspire curiosity and confidence, creating spaces where learning feels alive and connected to real human experiences rather than abstract theories. Her work reminds us that true learning happens when people feel both challenged and supported.

Chris Firinauskas brings decades of leadership experience across different sectors and cultures. His approach to resilience and strategic clarity emerged from navigating complex organizational challenges and understanding how people find courage in times of uncertainty. His perspective ensures that our work remains grounded in practical reality while still reaching for meaningful transformation.

My own winding path through different disciplines has shaped my conviction that the future belongs to those who can bridge worlds—connecting human needs with technological possibilities, personal growth with organizational change.

I'm deeply grateful to walk this path alongside people who don't just believe in human potential — they live it. Their creativity, their commitment to growth, and their passion for empowering others have shaped Orion in ways no single person could.

But our mission doesn't stop with us.

We're building a movement of leaders from all backgrounds who believe in shaping the future with creativity, resilience, and humanity. Leaders who have shaped learning cultures, built customer-centric organizations, and who understand that this moment in history demands something more from all of us.

At Orion, we're always looking for others who share these values — people who understand the importance of this moment, and who are ready to help shape a future where technology elevates humanity rather than eclipsing it.

Because leadership in the age of AI isn't just about adapting. It's about daring to create what comes next.

Leadership in the Age of AI

As AI reshapes industries and redefines roles, leadership remains profoundly human. The real challenge ahead isn't just adapting to change—it's unlocking the distinctly human capacities that machines can't replicate: resilience, judgment, empathy, creative thinking, and imagination.

The future belongs to those who can build these muscles—not just react to disruption, but lead through it. And creativity stands at the center of this capability.

The Leadership Gym amplifies creativity by offering multiple training modalities that systematically develop different creative muscles. From rapid-fire skill building in Micro Courses to experiential Play Labs that spark new connections, each session type is designed to break participants out of fixed thinking patterns.

This variety of approaches—ranging from conceptual to hands-on, serious to playful, individual to team-based—directly combats what Jeremy Utley, Director of Executive Education at Stanford University's celebrated d.school, calls "functional fixedness" or "satisficing," where people settle for their first adequate solution. By creating structured opportunities to push beyond initial ideas and experience creativity as a disciplined practice rather than a sporadic event, the Leadership Gym enables participants to consistently produce work that's not just "good enough" but exceptional—a critical distinction in an AI-enabled world where basic competence is increasingly automated.

Like physical fitness, leadership grows through consistent, varied practice. That's why our Leadership Gym offers six types of sessions—each designed to build key leadership muscles in different ways:

• Workshops: Intensive sessions to develop and reinforce key leadership capabilities

• Meetups: Informal, community-building events for shared knowledge and networking

• Micro Courses: Focused sessions that build fundamental leadership skills - perfect for daily practice

• Learning Labs: Interactive sessions for hands-on practice and deeper learning

• Practice Labs: Real-world application labs to strengthen leadership through role-play and feedback

• Play Labs: Gamified sessions for emotional and cognitive growth through self-discovery

Each week, we offer all of these session types to help people build momentum and grow according to their preferences, goals, challenges and schedules. The variety allows participants to stretch themselves in different ways, but ultimately it's their commitment that makes it work—just like any fitness regimen.

Building Learning Cultures That Last

Training that ends, fails. The future of leadership development isn't a two-day workshop or a corporate retreat. It's an ongoing practice. A habit. A culture.

At Orion, we embed leadership growth into daily work —helping people strengthen self-awareness, adaptability, systems thinking, and creative collaboration through consistent practice.

True transformation doesn't spark from a seminar. You build it through supported, deliberate practice.

Creativity, like leadership, isn't a one-time achievement. It's a muscle that grows through ongoing practice, exploration, play, and real-world reflection.

Growth Without Barriers

As machines take over more technical tasks, the skills that make us most human—emotional intelligence, creative problem-solving, systems thinking—become our greatest advantages. But traditional leadership development often reaches only those with significant resources or organizational backing.

We reject the notion that growth should be a privilege.

Our programs remove barriers to learning, helping people build self-awareness, resilience, critical thinking, and communication—regardless of their background or resources. Generous sponsors enable our Learning Grants for people who might not otherwise afford access.

Leadership transcends titles. It manifests through vision, influence, adaptability, creativity, and service. The world needs more of it—at every level, in every role, in every industry.

Building for the Future

Imagine having a tireless coach and mentor who understands how you see the world, recognizes your unique preferences and goals, and helps you expand beyond your current boundaries.

Orion was built to be AI-enabled from day one—not to replace human connection, but to amplify it.

By thoughtfully integrating AI into our workflows, products, and services, we've automated routine tasks, freed up creative capacity, and personalized learning experiences at scale. By freeing ourselves from the noise of routine tasks, AI allows us to be more fully present — to listen more deeply, to lead more thoughtfully, and to build connections that last.

This allows us to stay present with our customers, focus on what matters most, and deliver real, human-centered growth.

Join Our Movement

We believe the future is not something we must endure. We create it together.

This vision thrives through our growing community of advisors and sponsors who share our belief in human potential. These leaders have shaped learning cultures, built customer-centric organizations, and recognize that this unique moment in history demands new approaches to leadership development.

We invite you to join this movement in three specific ways:

1. Participate in our Leadership Gym - Experience our approach firsthand through a two-week trial membership

2. Share your expertise - Become an advisor and help shape the future of leadership development

3. Expand our reach - Sponsor Learning Grants that make these opportunities accessible to those who need them most

AI will continue to reshape our world. But leadership—real leadership—determines whether that world becomes more human, or less. And that's a future worth fighting for.

Ready to shape the future and build bridges, not boxes?

Connect with us today at https://www.oriongrouplimited.com/contact

Let's build a world where humans don't just survive—they thrive.