Executive Insider

The pandemic has upended the talent world. There are two forces at play. First, unlike previous workforce upheavals, this one has been led by employees choosing to part ways with their employers, not by employers paring their headcount. The “frozen in time” nature of the pandemic has caused many to...

It is not surprising to me that CEOs are joining the Great Resignation and leaving jobs in record numbers. Chiefs are making personal decisions about their futures and in some cases, decisions are being made for them.  In my 35 years in government, business, and philanthropy, I have helped organizations...

Simply put, innovation is the creation of a viable offering. Its value construct requires identifying the problems that matter and moving through them systematically to deliver elegant solutions. Innovation is seen and felt not only at the product or services level but in the firm’s supply chain, processes, and its...

2022 is here and for companies the pandemic reality has continued. Most back-to-the-workplace plans have been delayed more than once, having to evolve with the latest twists on the roller coaster we are collectively riding. And now with the Omicron variant, the ride continues.  The return to the office has...

Have you ever heard the phrase, “he or she is a born leader?”  I don’t believe that to be true.  We are not born knowing how to be a leader. We learn how to lead from our culture, environment, experiences, parents, teachers, and even books. And, true leadership has nothing...

As a business leader, how often has a consultant pitched you their silver-bullet solution, promising to dramatically increase your organization's productivity and profitability? Probably more than you would like. With so many options, it's no wonder the right pathway may be unclear! However, one proven pathway to increase productivity and...

Supply chain bottlenecks will likely persist for the foreseeable future. By using these three tips, you can better navigate the current crisis and guide your company toward calmer waters. The global supply chain crisis will continue into 2022, according to Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. Although this crisis seems to be...

Purpose gets a bad rap in the leadership space. Purpose-driven leaders are labeled as woo or misguided even. But purpose, in its bigger context, is simply about meaning, and right now, purpose is having a moment. For almost two years, leaders have adjusted, shifted, pivoted, repositioned, and even abandoned offerings...

The gasps were audible – as were a few snickers. That’s what I heard not long ago when I told a gathering of senior corporate executives that that they should stop thinking of their brands as companies and start thinking of them as candidates.  What did I mean by that? ...

The keynote speaker is introduced. He or she begins with some introductory remarks and then launches a Power Point presentation while carefully reading, word-for-word, from a script. The speaker seldom looks up from his or her notes to “read the room.” The audience intuitively picks up on the disconnect. The...