The Choice to Become a Business That Matters
This is the first of a 4-part series exploring businesses that matter. This is about ambition. Not the kind of ambition that has traditionally shaped businesses (growth at all costs, profit over everything) but a wiser, more profound ambition that reconsiders the very nature of business. Compare the Ford Motor Corporation in 1903 to Zappos in […]
Effective Strategies to Gain Constructive Feedback
Organizations need to incorporate constructive feedback from stakeholders to survive pandemic-related disruptions amid today’s turbulent economy. To meet the expectations of their stakeholders, leaders must ensure that they obtain regular feedback from them, since these people make decisions that determine the success of the organization. Securing constructive feedback is critical in helping you find out […]
If You Can Answer “Yes” to 5 of These Questions, You’re a Good Leader
CEOs are asking, “How can we increase employee retention and engagement?” Maybe that’s the wrong question.What if you asked: “What are our employees grateful for?”How would your employees respond to these statements? I am respected by my boss My manager helps me to learn and grow I have the tools and the necessary training to […]
The Executive’s Guide to Preventing Resistance & Succeeding With Organizational Change
Here are the seven characteristics of a successful executive change leader: 1. Is Self-Aware – In a study of 65 change stories from leaders of 33 organizations, researchers found what differentiated successful leaders from others was their level of self-awareness. Successful leaders considered the impact their practices, communication, and behaviors had on the response of the […]
Want to Attract and Retain Better Talent? Follow This Framework
The world of employer branding is still relatively new, but it’s already inundated with superlatives like “best” and “leading.” Companies use these descriptors in an attempt to grab people’s attention and establish quick connections. The only problem? They rarely hold up. Over the years, I’ve helped numerous organizations untangle fuzzy, ineffective employer brand stories. More […]
If You Love Your Best Performers, Set Them Free
Are your top executives disenchanted, disengaged, and considering leaving your corporation for more challenging opportunities? Encouraging them to head up a spinout gives them a purpose, inspires them to nurture something new, and could potentially help your company make millions. It’s no secret that things move more slowly and methodically in corporations than in startups. […]
Leaders: Protecting Abusers – Not Victims – Is a Costly Mistake
Why do far too many leaders cover up for abusers? Why is there so much institutional complicity enabling abuse to continue? What’s going on in the brains of leaders who protect abusers rather than victims? Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics protected predator Dr. Larry Nassar for decades instead of safeguarding his many victims. Notably, the FBI did so, too. The gymnasts’ lawsuit against the […]
How to Handle Founding Staff Once Your Startup Has Grown
Startups usually don’t have a lot—of money, resources, time—really much of anything. Most of the time, the founder has a great idea and a couple of friends or associates to help figure out how to move that idea toward reality. The “team” consists of whomever the founder has nearby: a ragtag bunch that can be […]
What MBA School Doesn’t Teach Business Leaders About Human Nature
To be a successful CEO, Founder or manager, you must prioritize defining your people philosophy and leadership strategies. These key skills, unfortunately, are rarely taught in business school, and must be mastered by anyone managing a team or in a consulting role. Looking back on my MBA program during this graduation season, there were only […]
Get on Top of Yourself: How to Recognize Your Disintegration Patterns
“Get on top of yourself.” A colleague muttered this phrase in the midst of an Enneagram debriefing session (note: if you’re looking for a profiling tool for you or your team, this is categorically the best I’ve come across in 20 years of doing this work). It made me think about the importance of maintaining […]
