Organizational Distrust Is Rampant: Why Leaders Should Be Worried

Distrust is rampant. It’s worldwide. It’s pervasive across all types of organizations in the business world. Even though the trust of CEOs is at an all-time low, we can help heal the distrust that may exist in your organization and boost your trust-factor among your tribe.

Are you ready?

Read More »

4 Ways Leaders ‘Pre-suade’ Others To Follow Them Through Difficult Change

At some point, every leader is faced with the challenge of having to rally others around a journey of uncertain change. For most, that challenge is daunting and often goes poorly. Many leaders try to over-sell positive aspects of change, manipulating information and downplaying risks. Others inspire dread with messages of fear. And some just resort to “announcing” change while communicating nothing helpful. Research shows that around 70% of organizational change fails for a host of reasons. How leaders build the commitment of those who must embrace change is pivotal to beating the odds and successfully leading major change.

Read More »

Tearing Down The Silos — Why Integrated Companies Perform Best

A lack of alignment typically leads to a raft of unintended consequences that pop up throughout the organization—not unlike a game of whack-a-mole. Engaging cross-functional teams to solve problems will significantly reduce the unintended consequences and further drive alignment into the organization.

Read More »

If You Want to Motivate Employees, Stop Trusting Your Instincts

Few topics have received more attention in talent management than motivation, defined as the deliberate attempt to influence employees’ behaviors with the goal of enhancing their performance, and in turn their organizational effectiveness. Indeed, other than talent, motivation is the key driver of job performance, for it determines the level of effort and persistence employees will exert. It is also clear that top performers tend to stand out as much for their motivation as for their talents.

Read More »

How to Build a Thriving Company Culture

For many business owners and entrepreneurs, having a successful business means having a profitable one, but in order for companies to be the best they can be, building a company culture should be on the top of the list of priorities.

Read More »

Most Reorgs Aren’t Ambitious Enough

For many executives, the concept of organization design is an oxymoron. They are so consumed by working in the organization that they lack the patience to work on the organization. They don’t do the intricate, complex work of configuring their organization to execute strategy. Instead, they shift boxes on an organization chart, bolt on more resources that were lobbied for by a zealous executive, or cut costs across the board. They focus on communicating messages more inclusively or reassigning stronger leaders to troubled departments.

Read More »

How to Overcome Executive Isolation

Republished from Harvard Business Review, Feb 2, 2017
The loneliness that often comes with being a CEO may seem like a small price to pay for the rewards, recognition, and power that come with the job. As the old joke goes, “It might be lonely at the top, but the view is terrific.”

Read More »

The Science Behind What Really Drives Performance (It’s Going to Surprise You)

Republished from INC 01/31/17
Imagine you could have a skill where–in any given conversation with colleagues, clients, or subordinates–you could be keenly aware of, and even experience, their feelings and thoughts.
Sounds like some X-Men-like psychic superpower right? Well, what if I told you that anyone can have this uncanny ability and use its strength and charm to have successful conversations?

Read More »