I was recently speaking with a board member of a public company. He was providing some feedback about the company CEO, a first-time chief executive who was still “getting his sea legs,” and had some work to do to gain the confidence of the rest of the board of this traditional, conservative company.  As the executive […]

It’s never been more important for CEOs to lead high-performing teams and also never more challenging. If there’s one theme I’ve been hearing about from nearly all my clients - CEOs and others - it’s how they are demanding more from their teams than ever before, and the results are mixed. While some leaders are quick to point out […]

It’s never been more important for CEOs to lead high-performing teams and also never more challenging. If there’s one theme I’ve been hearing about from nearly all my clients - CEOs and others - it’s how they are demanding more from their teams than ever before, and the results are mixed. While some leaders are quick to point out […]

You’re almost at the end of what might have been one of the most important years in your entire career. After all, it isn’t often that you’re presented with nearly daily opportunities to grow, adapt, and change, and for many senior leaders, 2020 offered all that in unprecedented ways.  For that reason, before you usher in […]

The CIO of a large manufacturing company was frustrated, exhausted, and feeling rather unappreciated. He and his 1500-person organization had overseen a complicated, multi-year technology transfer and integration resulting from the company’s largest acquisition in its history. Add to the mix an ongoing digital transformation and the day-to-day responsibilities that come with keeping the lights on, […]

The CIO of a large manufacturing company was frustrated, exhausted, and feeling rather unappreciated. He and his 1500-person organization had overseen a complicated, multi-year technology transfer and integration resulting from the company’s largest acquisition in its history. Add to the mix an ongoing digital transformation and the day-to-day responsibilities that come with keeping the lights on, […]

Here’s something companies can do right now that would have a significant, powerful, and positive impact:  Have fewer, better meetings.  More than any other corporate initiative, push for growth, or effort to reduce costs, there’s nothing that can have a more immediate impact on performance and productivity than fixing meetings.   If this seems too […]

A CEO client was describing an initiative at his company that encouraged employees to bring their whole selves to work. I asked him to elaborate: What does this look like, in practice? He was silent and finally said, “I’ll need to think about that.” Shifting gears, I asked, “Well, tell me what you personally would do to demonstrate this.” Again, […]

A CEO client was describing an initiative at his company that encouraged employees to bring their whole selves to work. I asked him to elaborate: What does this look like, in practice? He was silent and finally said, “I’ll need to think about that.” Shifting gears, I asked, “Well, tell me what you personally would do to demonstrate this.” Again, […]

Is it time to give your company culture an overhaul? If we define company culture as “the way things are done around here,” it’s no surprise that companies are carefully considering what aspects of their culture warrant change given the impact of COVID, the recent social justice movement, the changing marketplace, and the shifting needs of […]

A CFO client and I were discussing a question he was exploring with his team: What does the optimal corporate structure look like for the business? Not surprisingly, it was prompted in part by the swift and severe impact of Covid on his company, and as a result, they were exploring options to take out more cost […]

A CFO client and I were discussing a question he was exploring with his team: What does the optimal corporate structure look like for the business? Not surprisingly, it was prompted in part by the swift and severe impact of Covid on his company, and as a result, they were exploring options to take out more cost […]

I once attended a meeting where the featured speaker – an expert in his field – told the audience that he hadn’t prepared for the presentation he was in the process of delivering. In fact, he never prepares for his clients, he added (rather gleefully, it seemed). As paying members of the audience, it was an […]

If you want to be credible to a CEO, act like a peer.  What does it mean to act like a peer? It’s the way you show up and lead that says, “I understand my purpose, my value and my contribution. I know what I’m talking about and I’m confident I can do this.” It is also a […]

If you want to be credible to a CEO, act like a peer.  What does it mean to act like a peer? It’s the way you show up and lead that says, “I understand my purpose, my value and my contribution. I know what I’m talking about and I’m confident I can do this.” It is also a […]