Published in Love as a Business Strategy·Feb 12, 2021“It” begins with behaviorIf culture eats strategy for breakfast, then behaviors eat culture for lunch. You’ve likely heard some version or variation of the idea that, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” It’s made appearances across a wide swath of industries, in numerous disparate publications — and in countless slightly-tweaked forms: “Culture constrains strategy”…Business6 min readBusiness6 min read
Published in Love as a Business Strategy·Feb 2, 2021Toxic transparencyThe dark side of being an open book — The pandemic was ramping up, the economy was crashing — and I had to announce our company’s response in a company-wide meeting in a few days. …Business5 min readBusiness5 min read
Published in Love as a Business Strategy·Jan 22, 2021Dear leaders, we’re not getting back to normalAs 2020 continues to run its course, and likely careen into 2021, there is solace in one unpleasant, but honest reality: Things are not “getting back to normal.” Beyond being an incredibly hackneyed platitude, “getting back to normal” has become something of an anchor to the past we cling to…Business5 min readBusiness5 min read
Published in Love as a Business Strategy·Jan 13, 2021An introspective look back at 2020.What a year. Days felt like weeks, weeks felt like months, and then — seemingly, out of nowhere — it’s December 2020. To say that this year has been anything but atypical would be an outright understatement. This year has shaken the whole planet. COVID has brought heartbreak, sadness, and…Business5 min readBusiness5 min read
Published in Love as a Business Strategy·Dec 10, 2020Five reasons leaders should crave feedbackOver the course of our company’s 17 year history, “receiving feedback” evolved from a very negative experience motivated by contempt, frustration, and unforgiveness — to being the most precious thing anyone could give. It became a lifeline. Back in 2016, we narrowly escaped a major, “Houston we have a problem,”…Business5 min readBusiness5 min read
Published in Love as a Business Strategy·Dec 1, 2020Gender biasWhy vulnerability can be so hard — Vulnerability is showing your humanity. It is one of your greatest strengths, and one I believe is substantial and meaningful in your ability to grow — both personally and professionally — and influence meaningful change in your organization. There’s power in your humanity — but like most powers, it doesn’t…Work2 min readWork2 min read
Published in Love as a Business Strategy·Nov 20, 2020Note to modern leadersVulnerability matters — How vulnerability can uncover your strengths, grow emotional connectivity — and even help create more inclusive cultures. It was a workday. I was sitting in front of a closed laptop at home, about to join a meeting that would decidedly change the fate of our company — for good or ill. But before explaining how that meeting went, let me highlight some of the events that landed…Vulnerability6 min readVulnerability6 min read
Published in Love as a Business Strategy·Nov 11, 2020Leaders vs gatekeepersKnowing the difference — This year — this horrible, no good, very bad, fluid, weird weird year — has been interesting to say the least. This year we have: moved our business to the virtual world, lost clients, developed and entirely rethought our service offerings, built and refined an entire marketing strategy from scratch…Trust5 min readTrust5 min read
Published in Love as a Business Strategy·Nov 5, 2020Servant leadership:Making room for everyone at the table — I spent my time at work holed up in my executive office — inviting only senior-level people in for their opinions, or to see what they were working on. When I travelled, I flew alone in business class while my coworkers were relegated to economy class. And when it was…Leadership3 min readLeadership3 min read
Published in Love as a Business Strategy·Oct 30, 2020The lesser-known side of leadership: being a studentI was standing in the checkout line at the grocery store a few months ago. Buying I don’t know what, probably some sugary cereal for my son. He goes bananas for it. Don’t tell my wife. Anyway, I was standing in line, and the guy in front of me started…Business4 min readBusiness4 min read
