“When are we going to talk about the good stuff?” a senior executive exclaimed after Day One of working with TGN Consulting on transforming a dysfunctional culture.We human beings tend to be crafty creatures—naturally inclined to lean into survival tactics to keep us safe. Whatever we can do or say to keep the peace, we say… Continue reading Positivity Kills Culture
I recently met with the founder and CEO of a real estate development company. She described the explosive growth her firm had enjoyed over the past several years, and how her team had been called on to rise to the occasion and step up in their roles through the growing pains. “But you know, through… Continue reading Culture: You Can’t Buy It. You Have to Earn It
A couple months ago I facilitated a roundtable discussion with an intimate group of CEOs of primarily publicly traded companies. Our dialogue focused on the importance of cultural integration for realizing the value of M&A deals. Each one of the CEOs had served in the M&A trenches, some with billion-dollar acquisitions under their belt. Each… Continue reading Making an Ass Out of “U” and “Me”
I spoke with an executive team in the midst of reorganizing their company structure in favor of more cross-functional teams. Previously, their marketing, sales and product development teams operated within silos. (Moving to smaller teams with multi-departmental representation is an increasingly common pivot in today’s business environment, which requires faster communication and decision-making.) But when… Continue reading The Devil You Know — Why Even Good Re-Org Plans Don’t Succeed
You did it! The business is finally taking off. Your sales are up. Your headcount has swelled to meet increased demand. You’re starting to think that perhaps the sky truly is the limit. For most, this kind of the growth is the dream. Growth is the most reliable indicator that you’re doing something right. But… Continue reading The Givens We Take for Granted in High-Growth
My firm was called in to integrate two large regional healthcare companies merging into one. As part of the integration, the acquired company would adopt the EMR (electronic medical records) system of the acquirer. EMR systems are basically the computerized version of paper medical records that clinicians use when working with patients. The integration team… Continue reading The False Dichotomy that Sinks Mergers and Acquisitions
We worked with a client in the restaurant industry. By all accounts, this was an exemplary company. They boasted a smart and air-tight strategy, having carved out a niche in the premium-casual dining market. They knew exactly who they were and the game that they played, and they succeeded in cultivating a clientele willing to meet… Continue reading Struggling to Right the Organizational Ship? You’re Probably Asking the Wrong Question
I was recently on a development call a high-tech company experiencing a period of intense growth and expansion. The leader I spoke with painted a picture of the overwhelm that had crept into the organization. Employees had too much to do and too little time to do it, fueling a constant and deflating sense of… Continue reading A Purposeful Culture Isn’t Cute—It Can Save Your Bottom Line
The “Great Resignation” is upon us. According to one study conducted by Microsoft, 41% of the global workforce will consider leaving their current employer within the year. The Wall Street Journal reports that more U.S. workers are quitting their jobs now than at any time in the last 20 years. Why the impending exodus? Some… Continue reading A Guide to Not Losing Your Employees in The Great Resignation
It’s likely that somewhere along the way, you’ve explored the difference between “yes, and” and “yes, but.” And, if you’re like me, you’ve found the difference to be striking. The word “and” is one of the most powerful words in our vocabulary. It opens up the possibility of more than one answer, more than one… Continue reading Managing Polarities and the Power of “Yes, And”
