Measure, Execute, WIN | Alex Castro | Episode 169
There’s no lack of good ideas in today’s business world, yet 50% of them are doomed to failure. Executives will often greenlight a strategic initiative based on a business case and financial analyses alone, with no idea whether their company has the ability to execute it successfully. But there’s a better way to make corporate […]
Leading Real Change | Jen Thornton | Episode 168
Change is hard for any organization. People are often adverse to change as they are comfortable in the ways which they live and work. However, in order to remain relevant and competitive in today’s world, change is essential. Therefore, as leaders it’s crucial that we lead the changes in our organizations the right way.
Lead a Quantum Lean Organization | Michael Sanders | Episode 167
Employees have lots of reasons to resist change, from apathy to fear. However, many employers miss the biggest reason their workforce might balk at change: Not all ideas for change are good and productive! 2020 is the year that no one saw coming, rife with business challenges from the pandemic, fires, political unrest, and more. America’s vulnerability to overseas suppliers is a strong argument for manufacturing to return to the United States. However, this will present significant challenges, as American companies try to attain the level of productivity of countries such as, for example, Japan, which has learned to streamline production into smaller footprints. Change is necessary if American manufacturing is to succeed.
How to Lead Through Negotiations and Conflict Resolutions | Kwame Christian | Episode 166
Negotiation and conflict resolution are often looked at as the difficult conversations and actions which leaders need to take. These are often uncomfortable conversations to have with our coworkers and subordinates; however, they are absolutely essential in order to ensure that our organization is an effective one. Therefore, we need to get past the uncomfortness […]
Win the Talent War | Mike Sarraille and George Randle | Episode 165
In our modern business landscape, the war for talent is more complex than ever. You need to attract and retain the best talent for your organization to win, but without the right strategy or mindset, you won’t be able to compete. If your revenue is declining, you’re losing market share to your competition, or your […]
How to Increase Productivity | Tim Ringo | Episode 164
Productivity makes or breaks peak performance in ourselves, our teams, and our organizations. However, since the development of more and more “productivity” tools there’s been a steady decline in productivity. Simply put, we are getting overwhelmed with everything which “must” be done to be productive. Productivity is about simplifying the process and enabling people to work in their zone of genius and not zone of failure.
How to Build Trust and Collaboration | Jill Ratliff | Episode 161
Among the most important skills in leadership are gaining trust and knowing how to collaborate under stress. A great leader is the kind of person others want to follow. They know how to break down silos and model collaboration. They have the courage to build meaningful relationships, and are experts at establishing trust and touching hearts, creating an environment where people feel heard, small problems don’t escalate, and businesses succeed.
Blend Your Culture, Strategy, and Execution | Dan Bruder | Episode 159
Competitive advantage and financial gain have become widely accepted strategic priorities for companies. Yes, many companies invest in professional development for employees and support volunteer and charitable programs. Yet, such efforts are rarely incorporated into the organization’s core focus, outcomes, and actions, let alone its true purpose for being in business. Putting competition and profits first not only devalues individual workers; it hurts the entire organization. With the outbreak of COVID-19, many people responded with anxiety and lost their motivation for working as their companies scrambled to adapt to the challenges, including managing a remote workforce. Focusing on problems and clinging to the goal of market dominance at all costs takes a toll on employees, customers, and their communities, as well as a company’s reputation and bottom line.
Motivate the Demotivated Employee | Cathy Bush & Tara Peters | Episode 158
It’s no secret that unmotivated employees can ravage a business. Even before the COVID-19 outbreak, nearly 70 percent of employees were less than enthusiastic about (and less than committed to) their work, costing U.S. businesses between $450 and $550 billion each year. Add in one worldwide pandemic, newly remote and anxious employees, and news of daily layoffs, and leaders are left to plead, “Now what?” as employees mentally check out. Though it’s tempting to blame homebound workers and current events for cratering employee engagement, the most significant cause of demotivation—despite everything above—are the managers and leaders themselves.
How to get your Business’ Strategy in Gear | Sean Ryan | Episode 154
Far too many organizations do a poor job of translating their well-formulated strategies into their anticipated results. Whether related to unclear goals, lack of accountability or undertaking activities irrelevant to results, the inability to deliver comes from poor execution. To actively manage your organization so that everyone is working toward a common vision, strategy and set of priorities requires aligning “seven gears of execution” to alleviate the friction that’s slowing you down. These involve ensuring you have the right people in the right roles with the right capabilities; you align your organizational architecture in the direction of your strategy; you promote a culture of communication; and more.