Organizational Development
Why Strategic Planning Season Has a Way of Exposing Leadership Misalignment
In the last quarter of each year, I’m reminded of a scenario I’ve seen unfold in so many organizations. A leadership team gathers, works through their priorities for the year ahead and walks out of the meeting feeling confident that the direction is set. Then, after each department moves ahead with outlining their initiatives and…
Read MoreWhy Siloed Thinking Is Costing Organizations More Than They Realize
These days, it’s pretty rare for a real business challenge to belong to a single team. A decision in Product Development affects Marketing. A policy change in HR influences company-wide productivity. A technology investment could reshape how everyone works! Yet, many leaders are still taught to solve problems within the boundaries of their own department.…
Read MoreThe Rise of Work Charts Over Org Charts
The organizational (org) chart has long served as the backbone of how companies visualize themselves, with its neat pyramid of boxes and lines that tell everyone where they sit and who they report to. Born in the industrial age to bring predictability and order to growing organizations, it did its job well. Now, what was…
Read MoreBuild High-Performing Teams in Complex, Ambiguous Times: 4 Insights for Human Resources
I’ve been connecting with many Human Resources (HR) leads at the workshops I’m facilitating. While each company is distinct, just about every person I’m working with is struggling to navigate nuanced and messy challenges that make for choppy waters. Think of cross-functional initiatives that no one department fully owns; responsibly integrating AI into work and…
Read MoreChange Resilience in the Workplace: How Organizations Can Thrive Through Disruption
Raise your hand if you’re feeling exhausted from change inside your company. While you might be the only person lifting your hand at your desk right now, the truth is: You’re not alone! 73% of HR leaders report that their employees are experiencing change fatigue. The workforce has seen so much transition in the past…
Read MoreThe Skills That Will Matter Most in 2026 and Beyond
Future-proofing a company takes a lot of consideration and planning. In business, executives often look for a high probability that their efforts will generate a strong return on investment. That’s becoming more difficult to guarantee in our fast-changing workplaces, where volatility is the norm. One of the safer bets that leaders can make is investing in people development. Organizations that offer comprehensive training programs for their teams outperform their rivals by…
Read MoreAugmenting Employee Skills with AI: Building Trust, Not Fear
Organizations have been increasing their investments in artificial intelligence (AI), and the results so far have been mixed. Gartner found that four of five AI projects don’t meet their intended objectives, and the Harvard Business Review estimated that 90% of enterprises struggle to scale them from the pilot phase to production. I don’t expect these…
Read MoreHow To Nurture Workplace Culture With New Hires
Every organization is an ecosystem of interconnected components that influence its culture. When a company builds a positive, productive environment, the climate must be tended to with intention. Two opportunities to influence culture are talent acquisition and onboarding new employees. A transparent, consistent approach to hiring and onboarding that reflects your culture leads to a…
Read MoreEmergenetics Associates: Empower Leaders with Strong Feedback Skills
What skills do leaders, managers and teams need to thrive in the future of work? A McKinsey and Company survey of 18,000 people in 15 countries found that communication is one of the most important. As you can probably imagine, communication is a comprehensive term that’s made up of several competencies, including active listening: A…
Read MoreLeadership’s Role in Addressing Workplace Toxicity
A toxic work environment can have significant repercussions for organizations. An unhealthy culture negatively impacts employee engagement, productivity and mental health, leading to higher rates of turnover. When personnel leave, it often costs companies up to two times the person’s annual salary to replace them. While multiple players will shape the workplace experience, leaders have…
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