Long before there are departments, quarterly business reviews, dashboards, or executive scorecards, there is simply a problem worth solving. Every organization begins with a purpose. A founder sees an opportunity to make something better, gathers people around a common vision, and measures success in the most direct way possible: Are we making a meaningful difference […]
When a Measure Becomes the Mission Read More »
During the orientation for the GBA master’s program at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, Dean Rachel Kyte told us that during our time in the program, we would develop “the Fletcher Way of Thinking.” I never gave much thought to that statement until I heard it again from other guest
The Fletcher Way of Thinking Read More »
This post has been adapted from my grad school paper for my Negotiating Leadership course. In it, we were required to write about an experience related to a merger or acquisition and our view of the effectiveness of leadership on both sides of the post-merger organization. This course focused on understanding the complexities of global
The Importance of Demand-Side Leadership in the Post-Merger Company Read More »
I firmly believe that your team can only be successful if it is empowered to do its job. If you ask the manager, they think they have empowered their employees but that is not necessarily true. Empowering your employees means giving them the authority, resources, trust, and freedom to make decisions and take ownership of
Every employee, at some point before they were hired, whether for a new role, a backfill, or a stretch position, someone made a business case to support the need for their hiring. You might not have written it out, but the thinking was clear:We believe this person will help us generate revenue, reduce expenses, enhance
The Forgotten Business Case for Every Employee: Why Contribution Matters Read More »
“When employees understand the ‘why’ behind their work, they’re not just doing a task — they’re participating in a mission.” While working in the yard yesterday, I noticed something out of place in my neighbor’s yard. The downspout extension was directed directly towards the house’s foundation. Clearly, someone did not understand the purpose of the
Understanding The Why Read More »
Recognition is one of leadership’s most potent yet underutilized tools. It inspires loyalty, reinforces values, and creates momentum. I discuss some of the applications in Mission First, People Always. But, like any sharp tool, it must be used carefully—or it can cut in the wrong direction. People will go to extraordinary lengths when they feel
The Double-Edged Sword of Recognition: When Rewarding Good Work Goes Wrong Read More »