Organizational culture isn’t always easy to define but we know a strong work environment when we see and experience it. There is probably no greater leadership responsibility than creating an environment where people not only feel safe and respected but want to thrive and push the boundaries of their potential. Moreover, the best cultures always put the welfare of the organization over the needs of any one individual.
I have the good fortune of working with over 50 businesses on a regular basis. I get to see the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to leadership challenges. Here are some observations that I hope you will find useful as you continue to manage through these challenging times.
I am always troubled by leaders who can’t handle dissent or different points of view than their own. No leader has all the answers, nor should they be expected to. As you grow an organization, you will find you need to rely on people more not less. Weak leaders want to employ “yes” men or
I have been a Charles Handy fan for many years and find that his work only becomes more prescient and meaningful with time. It’s amazing how he could envision the world we would be doing business in before it happened. His thoughts on life, business, and leadership are timeless. I had my son revisit his
John Kotter
Book SummaryView the Book“A Sense of Urgency” delves into the essential elements required to foster a culture of urgency within organizations. John Kotter’s insights are drawn from extensive research and practical experience, providing a robust framework for leaders seeking to drive meaningful change. The book emphasizes the importance of emotional engagement, external awareness, and continuous improvement, offering […]
Read morePatrick Lencioni
Book ReviewView the BookIn his sixth fable, bestselling author Patrick Lencioni takes on a topic that almost everyone can relate to: job misery. Millions of workers, even those who have carefully chosen careers based on true passions and interests, dread going to work, suffering each day as they trudge to jobs that make them cynical, weary, and frustrated. […]
Read moreJim Collins and Bill Lazier
Read Book ReviewsView the BookWhat’s the roadmap to create a company that not only survives its infancy but thrives, changing the world for decades to come? Nine years before the publication of his epochal bestseller Good to Great, Jim Collins and his mentor, Bill Lazier, answered this question in their bestselling book, Beyond Entrepreneurship. Beyond Entrepreneurship left a definitive mark on […]
Read moreNegativity attracts attention and is often equated with intelligence, so it’s no surprise that leaders often feel they need to focus on what might go wrong. That kind of defensive posture can be helpful, in that it allows leaders and organizations to detect problems and threats, but it can also narrow your focus, and in […]
Read moreExecutives are often confounded by culture, because much of it is anchored in unspoken behaviors, mindsets, and social patterns. Many leaders either let it go unmanaged or relegate it to HR, where it becomes a secondary concern for the business. This is a mistake, because properly managed, culture can help them achieve change and build […]
Read moreThrough the State of Organizations Survey, conversations with CEOs and their teams, and the findings of recent McKinsey research, we have identified ten of the most important organizational shifts that businesses need to address today. These shifts are both challenging and harbingers of opportunity, depending on how organizations address them.
Read moreManagement, manager tools and CEO toolsby Kraig Kramers for improved business performance
View moreThe TINYpulse 2015 Employee Engagement & Organizational Culture Report
View moreManagement legend Ken Blanchard reveals why servant leadership is the only model for better organisations and a better world.
Please click on this link for the High Performance – Lessons From The Best on Becoming Your Best Book Summary SECTION 1 – HIGH-PERFORMANCE MINDSET Lesson 1: Take Responsibility He (Albert Badura) speculated that when people don’t believe they have what it takes to complete a task successfully, they would see little point in […]
Read morePlease click on this link for the Small Giants: Companies That Choose To Be Great Instead of Big Book Summary Introduction …they have chosen not to focus on revenue growth or geographical expansion, pursuing instead other goals they consider more important than getting as big as possible, as fast as possible. To make those […]
Read morePlease click on this link for the Learning Leadership Book Summary. Introduction: “The shortage of (exemplary) leaders is a result of three primary factors: demographic shifts, insufficient training and experiences, and the prevailing mindsets that discourage people from learning to lead.” “Exemplary leaders strive to mightily deliver the best leadership in the world because […]
Read moreEd’s books on Leadership, Life and Business will elevate your knowledge and give you the confidence to apply it to your personal and professional life.