Intentional Culture – What is Yours?

I was giving a talk the other day at S.U.R.F Incubator in Seattle for startups and got an interesting question – what the heck is “intentional culture?” I asked several follow-up questions about the questioner’s background. He was on his third start-up. The other two … Read more

The Influencer and Connector Craze

I read an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal entitled “Office Influencers are in High Demand” that talked about the efforts companies are making to engage, and dare I say “use,” those who are good connectors and in turn, good influencers. Salesforce.com has an … Read more

Bullies in the Workplace? Just Say ‘No!’

We’ve all worked with them – bullying co-workers, managers, supervisors and entrepreneurs – and it’s never fun. What is a workplace bully? Someone who manipulates, badgers, intimidates and ignites fear in the workplace in their determination to maintain control and drive their own agenda. Why … Read more

Resetting Your Training Beliefs

I saw an interesting post on LinkedIn by a former colleague of mine that reads: CFO asks CEO: “What happens if we invest in developing our people and then they leave us?” CEO: “What happens if we don’t, and they stay?” I’ve heard the first … Read more

Strategic Speed and Leadership

Ever heard the old saying, “Why is there never enough time to do it right, but always enough time to do it over?” Organizational cultures that have a need for speed can actually slow down strategically in their quest to get things done quickly. This … Read more

Creating a Giving Culture at Work

You’ve all been asked to support various causes at work. Maybe it’s been your co-worker’s child’s softball team or the current company cause. These are all great, assuming they are in alignment with the company values and policies and truly assist someone or some organization … Read more

Strategy and Goals Before Culture?

Found an interesting read in Sunday’s Seattle Times about Steve Ballmer’s new strategy for Microsoft, a major reorg “designed to increase collaboration and speed innovation as the company transitions to a devices-and-services company.” Ballmer has identified collaboration as a priority, and that to get there … Read more