Values
Differentiation and Values
Values: I spend a fair amount of time discussing culture with executives and entrepreneurs. In my view, values underpin the culture in an organization. They are the foundation of decision making. And the decisions that get made define the culture of the organization. Yet many (most?) organizations do not pay significant attention to developing values […]
Unintended Consequences
More Pain: Finally. But who’s going to jail? According to the 2/2/18 article in the Los Angeles Times, the Federal Reserved ordered Wells Fargo & Co. to “cap its growth and improve its corporate governance.” This is supposed to be punishment for “widespread consumer abuses and other compliance breakdowns.” But who’s going to jail? And […]
Doubt and Learning
Embrace Doubt: Often, I will start out with a new client, project or endeavor with a considerable amount of conscious doubt. What makes me think I can do this? What makes me think I will be the best coach for this person? When will they find out I’m really an impostor? Frankly I can’t think […]
Pressure From the Top
Out Front: To be a leader often requires that we apply pressure to the team, from the top, to effect change. The leader is “ahead” of the organization. She has a vision that requires the organization to move in a different direction. And she needs to more or less force the desired change to happen. […]
Trust But Verify
Trust I think it was Ronald Reagan who popularized this Russian saying, Trust But Verify. For me, in the leadership arena, this has a special meaning. Let’s start with trust. My definition is: Trust means that I get that you authentically have my best interest at heart, not just your own. We can expand that […]
Commander’s Intent
Clarity Military leaders know that battle plans do not survive the first shot. In other words, the enemy has a vote in your best made plans. Reality has a way of modifying our relatively petty human plans! With that in mind, military leaders make sure that there is crystal-clear, sharp-as-a-tack clarity on the commanders’ intent […]
Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast
Drucker and Fields It’s my understanding that Management Guru Peter Drucker coined the phrase “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” I also understand that Mark Fields, CEO of Ford, made it popular. All of which is fine with me. What I know from experience is Drucker’s statement is absolutely true. And I will be so bold […]
Preach and Practice
Quotation Well, I’ve heard it stated many different ways. What I grew up with was the quote, “Practice what you preach.” Then, I’ve been given to believe that Charles Murray states it as, “Do not preach what you do not practice.” Same message though. Leaders must be authentic, do as they request others to do, […]
Words as Bond
An organization’s culture can be simply stated as “The way things get done around here.” Notice that isn’t a list of values found on walls, coffee mugs, T-shirts or ball caps. It’s what actually happens in our organizations, and how it happens that matter. That is how stakeholders see us. Not as some empty words or […]
Contrary Opinions
In a safe environment, there is room for contrary opinions. Opposing views are truly heard. In a healthy and thriving organization contrary views are not only heard, they are encouraged. Contrarians are not naysayers or doom-and-gloom people. They simply look at things differently! The Red Card Some organizations insist that there always be a contrary proposal—a […]
