Amazing Mondays

Isn’t company culture all fluff?  This is a question I hear a lot. Thankfully, the answer is a resounding NO.  Creating a high-performing company culture can be as fluffy or as non-fluffy as you’d like it to be. What makes a company’s culture great however is all substance.  For example, driving home clarity around roles and responsibilities, goals, standards, and results is not fluffy.  Demonstrating the discipline and will to maintain consistency in your organization does not require any level of fluff.  Showing appreciation and recognizing someone for good work can be done with or without fluffiness. Truly [...]

If we’ve learned anything over the last six months it’s that every organization is vulnerable to decline. With the uncertainty that surrounds us, how do leaders protect their companies from a precipitous fall?    The best way companies can weather the storms that will inevitably come is through building a strong company culture. And in most circumstances, this is the only way.     Culture works because it influences every aspect of a company. It helps with every deficit, every challenge, every circumstance, and every problem. It touches every corner of any institution. Whether it’s a virus, a disaster, new technology, [...]

The number one way leaders undermine their leadership and lose the trust and respect of their team is through behavioral misalignment.  Behavioral misalignment happens when leaders say one thing but do another.  For example, if a CEO professes the company’s top core value is service, yet he is constantly looking for ways to cut corners on service to increase profitability, then his actions are not aligned with his words. Too many leaders purport impressive company values and purpose statements but then fail to live by them. When this happens it ends up hurting their leadership rather than helping [...]

Type A personalities are typically defined as competitive, driven, and achievement oriented. Often, they are superb leaders in the workplace who know how to perform well and get results. However, sometimes managing Type A’s effectively can be tricky, especially when more than one is on your team. How does a leader bring Type A’s together and help them achieve collective results?  Here are four effective ways.   #1 Shared Purpose What is the ultimate purpose or mission of your organization?  Is it clear? Perhaps the best way to bring Type A’s together is to frequently remind them they are [...]

The best place to start in building a strong company culture is to clearly articulate your mission (purpose) and vision of your company.  Some leaders and organizations have done this but then don’t see much of an impact. Here are the three top reasons why.  #1 Not Simple Enough The number one reason why a mission and vision aren’t having the influence and impact leaders and company’s were hoping for is because they aren’t simple enough. When a mission and vision lack clarity, or in other words are confusing, they simply won’t have the intended impact on the [...]

How do you earn the respect of those you lead? Here are three simple tips. #1 Be Vulnerable One of the best ways to earn the respect of those you lead is by being vulnerable. Being vulnerable is a willingness to say “I’m sorry”, “I messed up”, “I don’t know”, or “I need help” when appropriate. It’s being willing to be human, transparent and honest. Leaders who are willing to be open and show they are less than perfect will encourage others to behave in the same way which will build trust among the team. #2 Be Consistent Leaders [...]

Time for a pandemic update, how’s it going? One thing I’ve observed during the pandemic is how some of my friends are using their extra time to get physically fit. They are working hard to get into the best shape of their life and they look amazing! When it comes to your effectiveness as a leader, have you made improvements? Have you gotten into the best “leadership shape” of your life? Or have you let some things go and taken a few steps backwards? Few if any of us will be the same leader we were before the [...]

Too often we assume complex problems require complex solutions. However, the best solutions for big and complicated problems are often small and simple. Unfortunately, small and simple answers are frequently rejected. One reason is because of a sophistication bias many of us hold. We believe something simple and easy could never solve something complicated and big. When we refuse a simple solution, we make a big mistake.  Creating clarity by communicating more frequently, showing compassion toward those you lead, or celebrating more often are some simple solutions that can solve complex cultural and personnel problems in the workplace. [...]

Which of the two are more important to your success as a leader and organization: Competition or Compassion?  On the one hand, without a strong desire to compete to be the best, results are often never what they ought to be or could be. This ultimately limits the impact the organization has in the marketplace and on the world. On the other hand, without compassion, bridges can be burned and relationships damaged which can lead to regret and even a lack of long-term consistent performance. Both competition and compassion seem important in business, but how do you choose [...]

What does every company need to build a strong culture?  A deeply shared sense of purpose and a broadly shared dream. Why are these two items so important?   A clear purpose and dream unite a team and provide motivation. They also improve decision making throughout the organization and help people understand they are contributing to something bigger than themselves.  With a clear purpose and dream, self-interests melt away and a focus on collective results grows. Camaraderie and trust also increase.   Without a clear purpose and dream, people often won’t show up to do their best work. And why [...]