Mergers and acquisitions, while promising exciting ventures, can often become battlegrounds of clashing cultures, leaving you with a demoralized workforce and a struggling combined entity. And if you do not address the many issues that a corporate merger or acquisition present regarding your culture, you will soon lose many of the people that could propel your organization forward successfully. The reality is that when leadeing through a merger, retention and results are always symptoms of the CULTURE that you intentionally create and sustain…     But fear not – this guide equips yo ..read more

  Imagine a workplace where everyone wakes up energized, knowing their actions contribute to a bigger, shared vision. Imagine collaboration erupting, not from forced mandates, but from a deep understanding of “why” and “how” each role connects to the team’s success. This isn’t a dream; it’s the reality unlocked by harnessing the power of the team alignment cascade – mission, values, goals, and roles.   But crafting these elements isn’t just about checking boxes… It’s about embarking on an intentional journey where your team becomes co-creators of their destiny. This article equips yo ..read more

IF YOU WANT TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN WINNING TEAMMATES IN YOUR ORGANIZATION, YOU NEED TO CELEBRATE THEIR POSITIVE IMPACT… I’m always honored and excited when I get invited to conferences to share a message to develop Effective Leaders and help companies build an exceptional workplace culture. But one of the most important keynotes I share is What Winning Teammates DO Differently. It is an honor to be trusted as a speaker to inspire employees to move from complacent to committed. You are likely reading this today because YOU are part of a team… And the kind of teammate you are determines more than ..read more

Your successful 2024 is about windows and mirrors. Windows are what you are likelyto be concerned with the next month or two. And that isn’t a bad thing.   It is only natural to begin to look forward and to direct your focus to the things you anticipate and things you want to accomplish in 2024.    We look out windows every day as we consider what might be possible… And as the new year approaches, the tendency is to look ahead.   Looking out windows is helpful. Windows give us a vision of what is possible… what is ahead for us…     But the most Effective Leaders ..read more

Accelerating your growth as an team leader or teammate is about mastering the art of effective communication. As I share in many keynotes and training programs, “being effective is not about experience… it’s about awareness.” And in teaching audiences how to become more aware of themselves and their team members tendencies and needs, I have often emphasized the importance of curiosity and how that leads to having more positive and intentional interactions. But I recently discovered a term that is equally valuable in having meaningful, considerate, and compelling conversations. As a leader, you ..read more

Embarking on the path of personal and professional development is a journey marked by challenges, triumphs, and the continuous pursuit of excellence. In this worthwhile pursuit, the role of an accountability partner emerges as a pivotal force, offering a transformative experience beyond the conventional realms of progress tracking. Imagine having a peer ally deeply invested in your success, providing unwavering support, valuable feedback, and genuine encouragement. The accountability partner becomes more than a collaborator; they become the spark for your success!   As you consider the id ..read more

Looking over my calendar recently, I realized that nearly half of my events this past year have either been from repeat clients or from referrals. It’s an honor when clients or friends refer me for a speaking engagement. Working with event professionals to deliver an entertaining event experience that provides useful content attendees can take back to their team to improve results and retention is something I am passionate about and enjoy tremendously! So, following a successful program, during a break in the agenda, after leaving the stage and talking with many with conference attendees, I of ..read more

The ability to cultivate awareness stands out as the most crucial trait for leaders to develop. Awareness accelerates leadership growth and improves your team culture.  It encompasses self-awareness, social awareness, and situational awareness, enabling leaders to make informed decisions, build strong relationships, and foster a high-performing culture.   By prioritizing personal awareness, leaders can unlock their full potential and drive productivity within their teams. In this article, we will explore why awareness is the most important trait for leaders to develop and provide a l ..read more

Effective problem-solving is a critical skill for any successful leader. However, all too often, teams rush to find solutions without taking the necessary time to define the problem clearly. By overlooking this crucial step, teams may only address the symptoms of the problem, leading to ineffective or short-term solutions   Successful team leaders look beyond symptoms and define problems clearly before seeking solutions.   And the most Effective Leaders follow a repeatable, step-by-step process for clarifying and solving the right problem, emphasizing the importance of writing down a ..read more

As someone who works in a team or leads a team, you have probably heard that gossip is always negative. It should be avoided at all costs… Gossip is defined by the Oxford dictionary as “Casual or unconstrained conversation about other people.” And Dave Ramsey, a welll-known financial expert, has been outspoken about the “No-Gossip” policy for his people at Entreleadership – for them it has been a significant part of defining their culture.   However, there is recent research that has shown gossip can actually have positive effects on team morale, culture, and performance. And according t ..read more