Category: Systems Thinking

Application of leadership to systems thinking and theory

Servant Leadership: Nine Steps to The Ultimate Transforming Culture

A system of excellence

The Promise of Servant Leadership Servant Leadership is defined as “a philosophy and set of practices that enriches the lives of individuals, builds better organizations, and ultimately creates a more just and caring world.“ (Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership.) This definition offers an audacious claim – “a more just and caring world.” Can it deliver…

How to Create a Culture of Courage: Twelve Steps to a High-Impact Culture of Courage

A culture of courage

High impact organizations intentionally create cultures of courage. These elite organizations are unafraid of employees who think boldly. In fact, they thrive on a workforce that is unafraid to speak up and question norms. Organizations that can create a culture of courage are the innovators. In contrast, mediocre organizations, rely on a select few to…

Six Leadership Principles and Values Critical for Millennials

Leadership that was Fine for Boomers, Will Not Work for Millennials Millennials are profoundly changing the landscape of work. According to reports published by Gallup, Fidelity, and the U.S. Government, millennials approach work and life differently. For example, What this Means for Leaders in Business – Might No Longer Means Right These differences hold profound…

Five Strategies to Create Human Centric Leadership

institutionalizing leadership excellence

It is time to think about love in the same breath with leadership. It is word we don’t use too often, especially in a fast passed technology driven, competitive market. Yet when leaders of world class organizations speak of love, it is time we start paying attention.

When Cooperate Ethics Drives Performance

sustainable excellence

There is no conflict between the morality of taking care of workers and expecting high stakeholder value. In fact, taking care of the workforce drives stakeholder value. Excellence combines both the moral argument of care for people and the economic driver of stakeholder value

Value in Values In Organizations of Excellence

Private organizations have much they could learn from the military. Everyday, the armed forces take ordinary young men and women and turn them into leaders. It is a routine and we can all learn much by their process and example.

Keystone Habits of Elite Organizations

simple routines is the platform for excellence

They are to so simple; we overlook them. In our technical sophistication, we often ignore the simple routines that make for elite level performance. Yet we are all creatures of habits and routines. Charles Duhigg, in his book The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business discovered the power…

Engaging Employees: A Competitive Edge

servant leadership creates a designed system of leadership

The latest Gallup numbers tell us that engaging employees is a central fixture with organizations that consistently maximize their impact. Here is a true story of a company with high levels of employee engagement. I had finished a tour of a manufacturing company. They design and manufacture custom commercial and retail furniture. Their size prohibits…

Leadership as an Organizational System?

a LEADERSHIP system's purpose is what lies below the waterline

Elite organizations do not leave the critically important function of leadership up to the good will of a few. They intentionally design their system of leadership to give them the best opportunity of achieving their business objectives.

Psychological Safety in the Workforce

psychological safety drives team performance

Innovation is seldom a light bulb moment of genius. Usually, it is a collaborative process of sharing ideas.