Leadership Memo 2024-11 "We have too many meetings!" This complaint echoes across boardrooms and offices everywhere. The overwhelming monster of “meeting culture”—which only grew during the COVID-19 pandemic—is now more complex as remote and hybrid work become the norm. Predictions…
Category: Management
Elon Musk’s Couch vs. Corporate Comfort: A New Era of Leadership
In 2018, everyone was convinced Tesla would die. BMW: “They'll never mass produce” Mercedes: “Bankruptcy by summer” Wall Street: “Production hell” What happened next shocked every CEO in the world: Elon Musk grabbed his pillow and moved into the factory.…
Read More Elon Musk’s Couch vs. Corporate Comfort: A New Era of Leadership
Want to Know The Secret Ingredient for Success? Permission to Fail
I've discussed psychological safety in the workplace before, but it deserves a deeper look, especially when it is essential for building innovative, high-performing teams. This concept brings together some of the most valuable lessons in leadership: the art of failure…
Read More Want to Know The Secret Ingredient for Success? Permission to Fail
Agile Leadership: 7 Mindsets and 6 Skills for Tomorrow’s Leaders
Leadership Memo 2024-10 In a world where change is the only constant, agility is no longer an option, it's a necessity. But what does it mean to be an effective leader in this age of disruption? At a recent conference,…
Read More Agile Leadership: 7 Mindsets and 6 Skills for Tomorrow’s Leaders
Want profit? Try focusing on solving customer needs instead
We've all heard the saying: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." But what if the best way to go far isn’t the straightest path? That’s the idea behind “obliquity,” a…
Read More Want profit? Try focusing on solving customer needs instead
Navigating Uncertainty: Leadership Lessons for Today’s World
In today's fast-paced business environment, leadership must constantly evolve. Many people want to become great leaders, but the real test is staying great over time. As businesses face more and more changes amidst uncertainty, what qualities help leaders not only…
Read More Navigating Uncertainty: Leadership Lessons for Today’s World
Beyond Cartoons: Pixar’s Storytelling Secrets for Effective Leadership
Pixar Animation Studios has captivated audiences worldwide with its enchanting animated films. Since becoming part of Walt Disney Studios in 2006, Pixar has maintained its distinct storytelling style, stunning visuals, and unforgettable plots. The studio’s achievements are reflected in its…
Read More Beyond Cartoons: Pixar’s Storytelling Secrets for Effective Leadership
How to Unlock Success Through Influence
In leadership and business, one key factor stands out: influence. This quiet but powerful force shapes decisions, drives change, and affects results at every level of an organization. Though it's critical, influence often operates in the background, unnoticed behind more…
Bayer’s New Model: Bill Anderson’s Vision and Early Results
Leadership Memo 2024-9 Over the past few months, we've been following Bill Anderson's audacious strategy to revitalize Bayer, the struggling German pharmaceutical giant. At the heart of this corporate experiment lies Dynamic Shared Ownership (DSO), a corporate experiment unlike any…
Read More Bayer’s New Model: Bill Anderson’s Vision and Early Results
Knowing When to Step Down: A Leader’s Guide to Timely Departures
Leadership is a topic I've spoken and written about extensively. Today, I'd like to address a rarely discussed aspect: when and why a leader should step down. Leaving as a leader is never easy. The timing never seems right. Departing…
Read More Knowing When to Step Down: A Leader’s Guide to Timely Departures