Articles
The Four Horsemen of Culture Collapse
It’s not a mystery: the success of any organization exists in the hands of its people, and best laid plans always fall victim to implementation.
Deliberate cultivation of culture is key. Culture is developed, in part, through routine interactions of people within the organization. Every interaction under an organization’s roof contributes to a shared norm. The way we talk to each other today will influence the way we talk to each other tomorrow. Every behavior – and the response it elicits – normalizes future behavior. It is an organic concept, one that requires regular attention.
"The Best Way to Spot an Idiot"
For all JB Pritzker has done during his time as Illinois' Governor, his most viral and memetically impactful moment might be his recent commencement speech at Northwestern University. Smart and funny, with references to the sitcom The Office, Pritzger relayed a powerful message:
"The best way to spot an idiot, look for the person who is cruel. Let me explain.”
Hidden Impact: The Importance of Diversity in the Workplace
Katherine Johnson saving the day highlights the impact of recruiting diverse perspectives. Companies in the “top quartile for ethnic and racial diversity in management were 35% more likely to have financial returns above their industry mean”.
4 Keys for the ADHD Leader
Visionary leaders have a few things in common. They see fast and far, they are creative and ambitious, they approach problems from angles that their peers might fail to see. These buoyant, entrepreneurial spirits have another thing in common: a lot of them have ADHD (often undiagnosed).
Deconstructing Cultures of Constant Availability
Technology has enabled us to work remotely and remain connected 24/7. That doesn’t mean we should.In cultures of constant availability, an employee’s alert system is always ‘on’. Pings and chimes and little red bubbles in the corner of an app were created to snag one’s attention... in the modern workplace, this exploitation is nearly constant.
Are You a Credible Messenger?: 4 Keys to Successful Professional Development
Professional Development is essential. But it's not all created equal... Check out 4 keys to effective professional development from 3 members of the SEL Summer Institute.
Does Your Behavior Match Your Goal? Putting “Practical Mindfulness” into Action
Practical mindfulness is an approach that can apply to any arena. It’s a mindset. A disposition. While everyone has their own relationship to implementation, below you’ll find 3 keys to bringing practical mindfulness approach into your life.
The Mad Scientist: Gabor Maté’s 3 Keys to Leadership
Forgiveness should be one of the biggest beakers in your lab. Things go wrong. Humans are infinitely complex and (depending on your perspective) flawed. “I’ve made every mistake in every book I’ve ever written” admits Maté. We should all work on patience, humility, and forgiveness.
Top 3 Misconceptions About DEI Work (and why you should be doing it)
By Maurice McDavid and James Davis / Why isn’t your company doing effective DEI work? There are clearly hurdles. Some people more receptive than others. And to be fair, consultants approach this work in different ways. We take a thoughtful approach. After countless culture and leadership development engagements, here are the top three misconceptions about DEI that we have encountered.
The Value of a Coach
by Maurice McDavid; Tom Brady has won 7 Super Bowls, gone to 15 Pro Bowls, and been the league's MVP 3 times. He has a coach. In fact, he has about six of them.We could all benefit from coaching. For the professional athlete, it might be a skills coach, or a sports psychologist. For the executive, manager or department head it comes in the form of an executive coach. These are the people that drive performance in others.
Toss the Trophies
Wait. Don’t toss the trophy… The title is a misnomer. Trophies are awesome. Goals are essential and when they are accomplished, they should be celebrated. In sports, it comes in the form of a trophy or a ring, in business it might be a bonus or promotion. Celebrate the milestones, you’ve earned it. When the celebration is over, take time to frame the experience. That is, tell the story of what just happened. Work to understand the process that led to the outcome. Celebrate the process.
Concept Over Script: Commander's Intent
Concept comes first. What are you hoping to accomplish? Directions to bring that concept to life should follow, accompanied by all the skills the mission might require. Healthy, effective leadership prioritizes concept over script. It is an idea that extends beyond business.
Work the Team, Then the Problem
To create a strong business atmosphere, prioritize people and culture. Work the team, then the problem. It won’t always be easy, but it will always be worth it.
How to Engage “Uncoachable” Employees
rarely do people make it through the door without the potential to succeed – development is what separates good from great. It’s a process. The U.M.A. framework makes sure people don’t get stuck. This is especially important in a constantly evolving business landscape with emphasis shifting to new skills (like improvisation). With such a dynamic landscape, more than ever, leaders will take approaches into their workplaces, rather than strict scripts of evaluation. Check out the UMA framework. In this article, we will focus on Understanding, the first and most critical component.