“Think of being intuitive, innovative, and inspiring as guiding principles.”
As leaders, we are much like our prehistoric ancestors. They scanned the horizon for potential threats and opportunities, brought the tribe together to decide how to respond, and acted—often with life-or-death consequences. In this week’s Whatif? Wednesday Thought Letter: let’s consider the US election results and what’s next. Are you ready for what comes next […]
Kevin McKenzie 
“The price of change is often loneliness: five practical strategies to help you stay the course.”
While you’re evolving, you remind others they’re not; the typical response is silence. Congratulations! You’ve committed to unlocking your better leader and positively impacting your stakeholder group—the organization, people, customers, and investors. You’re getting coaching, adopting new behaviours and a healthier mindset based on continual growth and optimism. Well done on committing to a clear […]
“As leaders, we have the power to rethink the team unit.”
The best teams I’ve been part of embody a culture of individual accountability and collective responsibility—weak teams risk failing collectively to succeed individually. Leaders: It’s time to prioritize team purpose, mission, and trust. The impact team members can have on each other is not subtle; it’s significant. The team is the most essential unit of […]
“Leadership: An Evergreen Aspiration”
How do others experience us? And how do others experience themselves when they experience us? Over the past couple of years, in the Whatif Wednesday Thought Letter, I’ve written about leadership and the impact leaders can have, good or bad, on their organizations, customers, people, and suppliers. Every leader, whether they recognize it or not […]
“Overcoming the Barriers to a Responsibility-First Mindset”
Could we create an environment where horizontal thinking and focusing on long-term success is the norm? Last week’s Whatif? If Wednesday’s Thought Letter examined the barriers preventing leaders from fully embracing a responsibility-first mindset and horizontal thinking: The Innovator’s Dilemma, inertia, and individual fear of failure. This week, we explore three solutions to overcome these […]
“The Three Barriers that Prevent a Responsibility-First Mindset”
What if these barriers weren’t the roadblocks they seem to be but rather the starting point for transformational change? Building on last week’s discussion on the distinction between responsibility and accountability, let’s explore the barriers to a responsibility-first mindset. As noted, it takes horizontal thinking; adopting it isn’t without challenges. In discussions with leaders, I […]
“What is a meaningful conversation?”
When someone feels heard and understood, we gain their trust, which is the currency of all relationships. We will be pausing the Whatif? Wednesday Thought Letter for July and August, returning after Labour Day. In the meantime, here’s an article from the archive I hope you will find helpful as you spend more time with […]
“What if we took off our masks and led with vulnerability?”
Leading with vulnerability requires courage. It’s about standing in your truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. In this week’s Whatif? Wednesday Thought Letter: I’m picking up on a theme that readers raised from the recent series on imposter syndrome, negative self-talk, and limiting beliefs—vulnerability. What if We Led with Vulnerability? Imagine a world where leaders […]
“Internal Saboteurs: Significant Barriers to Leadership and Personal Growth”
We all face these challenges from time to time to some degree. They are not exclusive to any career stage, age, or gender—it’s just the nature of the human condition. In this week’s Whatif? Wednesday Thought Letter, we conclude our thoughts on imposter syndrome, negative self-talk, and limiting beliefs as significant barriers to leadership effectiveness […]
“Breaking Free from Limiting Beliefs”
Leaders may become trapped in a cycle of self-doubt, unable to make decisive actions or inspire their teams effectively. The consequences can be far-reaching, affecting team morale, innovation, and overall organizational success. Welcome to this week’s Whatif? Wednesday Thought Letter, where we delve into a topic that might hold you back: limiting beliefs. If imposter […]
“The second growth-hindering career saboteur: negative self-talk.”
Remember, the most powerful stories we tell are the ones we tell ourselves. Let’s make them count. Today, we’re delving into the second growth-hindering career saboteur: negative self-talk. Understanding Negative Self-talk Picture this: a relentless critic, always by your side, whispering that you’re not good enough, smart enough, or capable enough. This critic isn’t […]
“Sometimes, we need an external view to balance our more limiting internal view of our capabilities.”
Perfectionism and the pressure to excel can lead to a fear of failure and an inability to internalize success properly, creating an environment where individuals feel they must continually improve their worth. Today, we’re diving into an often-overlooked topic that can significantly impact our mindset, innovation, and growth. Have you ever questioned why you were […]
“Zero-Gravity Thinking for Enhanced Client Acquisition, Growth, and Retention”
Zero-gravity thinking means thinking about how your business can help customers achieve short-term goals and long-term success. It’s the art of playing the long game, becoming relational vs. transactional. In this week’s Whatif? Wednesday Thought Letter, we’re exploring how zero-gravity thinking can revolutionize customer acquisition, growth, and retention strategies in B2B environments. By transcending traditional […]
“Enhancing Team Effectiveness with Zero-Gravity Thinking”
When team members are not bound by the usual limitations of their job descriptions, they experience a significant increase in creative production. This freedom encourages risk-taking and original thinking, which is crucial for breakthrough innovations. Welcome to this week’s Whatif? Wednesday Thought Letter. Today, we’ll dive into how 3M’s 15% Culture and Pixar’s Braintrust exemplify […]
“Zero-Gravity Thinking in Leadership”
Resistance from within is common. It’s about framing the changes not as a disruption but as an evolution toward a more sustainable, relevant, and competitive business in the next few years and beyond. In this week’s Whatif? Wednesday Thought Letter, let’s build on how zero-gravity thinking can revolutionize even the most traditional business environments. Imagine […]