Email Template

To: [Manager name]
Subject: Approval request: outside input on [initiative]

Hi [Manager name],

This year I’m leading [initiative], and I want outside input to help me make better, faster decisions for the team and company.

Thus, I’d like your approval to join the Collaborative Gain Councils: a curated, confidential group of non-competing peers at my level who pressure-test each other’s biggest decisions.

I’d be in a room with leaders from companies like Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Meta. Members describe it as “essential” for any leader who wants to grow and make a real impact, and most stay for years: the average tenure is 7+ years.

Decisions I’d take into the room this year:

• [Company-level decision, e.g. build vs. buy on our core platform]: roughly [$ at risk] if we get it wrong
• [Organizational decision, e.g. restructuring or holding the leadership team together through a reorg]: roughly [$ at risk, e.g. 1.5–2× salary to replace one senior leader]

Below my signature, I include a few more details about the program and how it works.

Let me know if you are open to me going ahead and joining.

Thanks,
[Your name]

---

Membership comes with:

1. A dedicated Council of non-competing peers from great companies facing similar challenges
2. An Executive Coach who is available to do 1:1 sessions with me as I work through the challenges we face
3. Input and support from leaders across the wider Collaborative Gain community

How the company benefits:

• Better, faster decisions for my teams and initiatives.
• Shared insights. I’ll share insights with our team after each meeting.
• Avoiding landmines. The peers on my Council will help us avoid costly mistakes.

Details of how this works:

• Time commitment: Council meetings [virtual and in person depending on Council level] + ad hoc community support and coaching as needed.
• Confidentiality: No competitors or coworkers share a Council, and discussions stay in the room.
• Annual investment: $[amount]