Change Management

  • Leading in the NEW ABNORMAL: Covid-19 People Priorities

    A crisis by definition involves an abnormal state.  So let us be clear:  the coronavirus pandemic has not ushered in a new normal but an abnormal social and economic dislocation unlike anything in memory.  To be effective in battling this existential threat to life and economic well-being, organizational leaders need a playbook that prioritizes speed, flexibility and adaptability in managing uncertainty.

    Here are three people priority focus areas for leading effectively in the NEW ABNORMAL.

  • What Makes a High Definition Leader?

    Today’s headlines are replete with words like “disruptor” and “reformer” in describing the behavior of high profile leaders.

    But how does a leader prevent change from becoming chaos? Or reform from prompting revolt?

    She needs to be a High Definition Leader (HD Leader) and surround herself with a top-flight team that also possesses HD Leader qualities and capabilities.

    THE PAST AS PROLOGUE

    I first discussed High Definition Leadership almost a decade ago when we were in the depths of the Great Recession. Back then most of my CEO and director clients faced unprecedented business and personnel challenges.  Uncertainty and fear reigned amidst economic contraction and red ink.

    I urged them to lead in “high definition” as a way of keeping their stakeholders engaged and focused during turbulent times.

  • Making the Tough Call with Poor-Fit Talent – Winning Actions, Not Costly Traps

    Worried woman_crop “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.”        – Maya Angelou

    The realization may come over time, or it can occur as the result of a single critical incident. You have a poor-fit player in a key management or project position.

    Consider the many ways poor-fit talent can make their presence known. For example:

    • Under-performance due to skill deficits
    • Inability or unwillingness to act on performance feedback
    • Counterproductive – or toxic – personality traits
    • Lack of alignment with the organization’s core strategy or culture
    • Increased interpersonal or departmental conflict

  • Leader Imperative #4. Is Your Reputation Game On? Fast Facts for the New Normal Marketplace

    Reputation small_30869237_OK
    “Mastering the New Normal” – A Continuing Series

    “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.”
    – Warren Buffett, Chairman, Berkshire Hathaway

    To achieve sustainable success in the New Normal marketplace, leaders and their organizations need reputations that are prominent, robust and blue-chip quality. Anything less can impact loyalty among customers, employees and shareholders with immediate – and often enduring – adverse consequences.

  • Leader Imperative #2. Customers: The Promise and the Love

    Customer small_39572418_OK“Mastering the New Normal” – A Continuing Series

    “There is only one boss. The customer. And he can fire everybody in the company from the chairman on down, simply by spending his money somewhere else.”
    – Sam Walton, Founder of Wal-Mart

    A key challenge for leaders in mastering the New Normal involves executing brilliantly in a customer-centric world.

    “Customers” exist as consumers, clients, sponsors and shareholders. Whether you provide products, services or intellectual property, you have customers whose satisfaction and loyalty are mission critical.

    Here’s the New Normal reality: A focus on customer satisfaction is a doomed strategy.