“Can we just stick to Teams meetings or Zoom calls forever?”
The shift to remote work wasn’t just about changing our work location – it was a lifestyle overhaul. The idea of just flipping a switch back? It’s just not that simple. Are you fostering an environment of serendipitous connections? In this week’s Whatif? Wednesday Thought Letter let’s focus on something that’s top of mind in […]
Kevin McKenzie “What if you dedicated 20% of your leadership time to strategic thinking?”
Many find it hard to step back and ponder the critical questions that shape the future. It’s a classic case of trading future growth for present stability. Finding the Right Balance: Working On vs. In Your Business In this edition of the Whatif? Wednesday Thought Letter, we delve into a crucial question for any leader, […]
“What makes a leader truly stand out in the ever-evolving business landscape?”
In a world driven by relentless innovation, what made you special yesterday may not suffice tomorrow. Time to Read: 2 min. Is What Made You Special Still Making You Special? A Reflection for Today’s Leaders “What makes a leader truly stand out in the ever-evolving business landscape?” Reflect on your career milestones – your first […]
“A strategy focused on curiosity and inquiry could be more distinctive in ambiguous times.”
Organizations make the mistake of turning metrics like revenue and budget targets to goals which overshadows the need for differentiation, leading to ‘herd mentality’ where businesses mimic competitors without distinct strategies. Time to Read: 2 min. The Shift in Market Dynamics: In just three short years, the business world has undergone a significant transformation. From […]
“She described feeling like a hamster on a wheel – expending energy but not making real progress.”
I ask myself what will I regret not doing in a year, three years, or five years from now? It’s a powerful way to stay focused on that crucial 20%. Time to Read: 2 min. Have you ever felt like you’re constantly busy but not truly productive? The 80/20 rule, a principle introduced by Vilfredo […]
“What if embracing problems can lead to better solutions?”
In many organizations, bad news doesn’t travel well upwards. The pressure to perform in the short term can lead to hasty judgments and myopic decisions. Time to Read: 2 min. “Don’t bring me problems, bring me solutions.” This phrase, a staple in the leadership lexicon, is often touted as a hallmark of effective leadership. But […]
“Value creators know that awareness and alignment are necessary but insufficient.”
Research tells us that up to 75% of initiatives fail to deliver their intended value. This failure can often be attributed to solving the wrong problem, failing to engage the right people, and being trapped in siloed thinking. Time to Read: 2 min. In my previous Thought Letter, I introduced the concept of “collaborate to […]
“Simply put, people support what they help create.”
The pressure to move quickly leads to shortcuts and shortcuts inevitably lead to mistakes. Sometimes we need to slow down to speed up. Time to Read: 2 min. Last week’s Thought Letter built on the IQ + EQ + XQ = VC equation and how value creator leaders are thoughtful consensus builders. It covered how […]
“No matter how good we are individually we are never as good as we are collectively.”
The breathtaking pace of change in our operating environment coupled with increasing stakeholder demands means we must tap into the strengths of the team or risk failing. Time to Read: 2 min. Last week’s Thought Letter introduced the value creation equation, IQ + EQ + XQ = VC, and how value creators apply the three […]
“Leaders who are value creators follow a simple equation for success, the algebra of value creation.”
Value creators see the chessboard. They consider the next two to three moves required to address chokepoints that could impede execution and rally people to make course corrections to stay on track to the goal. Time to Read: 2 min. In the dynamic and volatile operating environment we find ourselves in, stakeholders are looking to […]
“Value creators play the long game and are valued as strategic partners.”
To be known as Value Creators, we must adopt inquiry mindsets. We must also think beyond just our skillsets to build deeper trust and confidence. This is the third segment in the Whatif? Wednesday Thought Letter series on the big questions we need to ask ourselves to unlock our better leaders. Time to Read: 3 […]
“Look, no one has all the answers, all the time.”
The problem is if you are right then the other party feels they must be wrong. That’s not conducive to developing intimacy and building trust. This is the second in a series of three Whatif Wednesday Thought Letters on unlocking your better leader. Time to Read: 3 min. Last week I raised the first of […]
“Reflective thinking is crucial to unlocking a better version of ourselves.”
What if you shifted your mindset from being the smartest person in the room to being the most trusted person in the room? This is the first of a series of three Whatif Wednesday Thought Letters on unlocking your better leader. Time to Read: 3 min. Life is busy. We just don’t get enough time […]
“Contribution gets recognized; impact get rewarded.”
Value creators think differently. They go beyond contribution and focus on the impact they can have on customers, employees, and stakeholders. Time to Read: 3 min. Everyone wants to contribute to whatever endeavor they are involved with. Whether it’s work, family, friends, or community, we want to do our bit to help. In an organization, […]
“Sooner or later, it occurs to you that it’s all about your mindset.”
Value creators focus less on the attributes of their skills or offering and more on the problem they can solve. Welcome to the Whatif? Wednesday Thought Letter Time to Read: 3 min. My intent is to provide a pithy perspective, i.e., 500 words or less, on topics relevant to your leadership agenda. My hope is […]