Published Works

The Books Behind
The Breakthroughs

Where Strategic Thinking Meets Storytelling

The Breakthrough Collection, What Do You See When You Look At Me, Another Cup With Cleo, and Coffee With Cleo by Cleophus P. Franklin Jr.

The best leaders I know are relentless learners. They read. They reflect. They recognize that wisdom doesn't just come from spreadsheets and strategic plans—it comes from stories that illuminate truth.

That's why I've written twelve books on leadership development, personal transformation, and timeless lessons from 35 years of global executive experience. From The Breakthrough Collection to Another Cup With Cleo, these aren't theoretical textbooks, they're practical guides born from real boardrooms and real transformations.

As Founder and CEO of Franklin Strategic Solutions, Senior Corporate Fellow and Adjunct Professor at the University of Houston-Downtown, and a keynote speaker, I bring the same lessons to the stage that I bring to the page. I also publish the Coffee With Cleo newsletter on Substack and host the Conversations With Cleo podcast, both at coffeewithcleo.com.

Featured Works

Select Titles

New Release The Breakthrough Collection by Cleophus P. Franklin Jr.

The Breakthrough Collection

21 Stories to Transform How You Think, Decide, and Act

Built for leaders who don't have hours to spare—only minutes. Each of the 21 lessons follows the 4I Methodology™ (Information, Insight, Impact, Implementation) and is engineered to be read and applied in the time it takes your coffee to cool.

Covered by national press at launch (PRLog, Digital Journal)—drawing on Franklin's 35 years of Fortune 500 leadership experience behind every lesson.

"This isn't a book—it's an operating system upgrade for your leadership." — M. Precious
Buy on Amazon → Learn More →
New Release Another Cup With Cleo by Cleophus P. Franklin Jr.

Another Cup With Cleo

Stories of Wisdom In Every Cup

Franklin's tenth book and sixth leadership title. Through intimate stories drawn from family, mentors, and boardrooms, this collection makes the case that real leadership grows out of genuine relationships—not just strategy decks.

Featured in Morningside University News—Franklin's alma mater spotlighting his tenth book.

"An easy-to-read, simple-to-apply precision instrument for your personal and professional life that will challenge you with each chapter." — J.C.
Buy on Amazon → Learn More →
Coffee With Cleo by Cleophus P. Franklin Jr.

Coffee With Cleo

Daily Wisdom for the Modern Leader

A book CEOs keep on their desk. Short, powerful chapters designed for the executive who has five minutes between meetings but needs insights that last a career.

"A powerful handbook for life I'll refer to over and over—a collection of wisdom, easy to read and connect with. Great storytelling!" — Jim Tillman
Buy on Amazon → Learn More →
What Do You See When You Look At Me by Cleophus P. Franklin Jr.

What Do You See When You Look At Me

An Inspirational Story for Every Generation

A heartfelt book that parents read with their children—exploring identity, potential, and the power of seeing greatness in every individual. Leadership starts before the boardroom.

"Perfect for ages 2 to 8—Franklin inspires imagination and curiosity in ways I haven't seen in a children's book before, and the illustrations are perfect." — Amazon reader
Buy on Amazon → Learn More →
Our Readers

Who Reads These Books

CEOs & Executives

Who keep Coffee With Cleo on their desk for daily wisdom and strategic clarity between critical decisions.

Emerging Leaders

Using The Breakthrough Collection as their playbook for accelerating growth and building executive presence.

MBA Students

At the University of Houston-Downtown, learning frameworks they'll use for decades in their leadership careers.

Families

Parents reading What Do You See When You Look At Me with their children—investing in the next generation of leaders.

Giving Back

Beyond the Pages

Every book reflects the same principle driving Franklin Strategic Solutions: close the gap between knowing and doing. The insights are accessible. The applications are immediate. The impact is measurable.

Proceeds from all twelve books support the Franklin Leadership Foundation, funding scholarships for 30+ underprivileged students—because investing in the next generation isn't philanthropy, it's leadership.

Visit the Foundation →

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Complete Library

Twelve books spanning leadership, transformation, and the timeless lessons learned across 35 years of guiding organizations to breakthrough results.

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