For six days, the world’s eyes were on the Ever Given, the container ship stuck between the banks of the Suez Canal. Although a unique news story, maritime disasters are more typical than most of us realize. According to the insurer Allianz, 41 large ships were lost in 2019 and 46 in 2018. Over the … Read More
Perspective and Proximity in an Advice Culture: When Opposing Ideas Combine to Create Better Decisions
We use Proximity to describe the reality that people closest to the situation have more accurate information — and Perspective to describe the reality that people who perceive a situation from a distance can see how everything fits together. But those with the advantage of proximity struggle to see the unintended consequences of their choices … Read More
Selecting the Right Organizational Consulting Partner
Years ago, as a senior consultant in a blue chip consultancy, I witnessed one of the most revealing conversations between my firm’s senior partner and our client, the SVP of HR for a high profile aerospace manufacturer. My firm was billing the client roughly $11M a year. The client was in complete disarray, with a … Read More
Keeping Your Leadership Superpower from a Distance
Remote Working has Changed How Leaders and Followers Interact The daily exchanges between a leader and follower were as crucial as any factor in effectively leading employees. These minor interactions were the focus of much study in the 1980s but the findings are so well understood by most leaders that not much has been written … Read More
The Triple Threat
For over forty years the NFL single-season scoring record was held by a triple-threat player, Green Bay Packers Hall of Famer Paul Hornung. Hornung set a record of 176 points in 1960 by scoring fifteen touchdowns, kicking forty-one extra points, and also kicking fifteen field goals. Green Bay’s opponents feared Hornung, and for good reason. … Read More
Leadership Development: Beyond the Pandemic – What are Your High Potential Talent Really Thinking?
Interviews over the past three months with senior HR managers and corporate leaders about their experience with the pandemic so far have revealed some surprising insights. Not just about the benefits (and challenges) of working from home, but also about how employees’ attitudes and motivation have changed. One high potential leader we recently interviewed remarked … Read More
Restructuring a Toxic Organization: What to Expect
We mentioned in a previous article that toxic individuals are infectious. Such employees focus on means rather than ends, promote drama over performance, and create significant drag on an organization. Moreover, they recruit others and shift the cultural norm. When this happens, restructuring is essential — but it will be resisted. Predictable Resistance to Restructuring … Read More
Leadership: The Ten Worst Behaviors
It is often said that an employee who leaves a company is leaving their leader, not the company. Because leaders and their employees are in a power relationship, any corrective feedback often remains unspoken until the exit interview, or perhaps is never spoken at all. And in truth, most leaders do not intend to be … Read More
How Do I Know My Organization is Toxic?
A few toxic employees can start a movement that, if left unchecked, can derail your organization. The toxic behavior of a few employees can poison the culture; their numbers can swell and shift the focus of conversation from performance to cohesion. Ultimately, it marginalizes the true performers, causing them to question themselves and their own judgment. How … Read More