According to Fortune magazine, “business leaders believe the importance of a company’s culture has increased in the current business climate”. In order to maximize the human potential (skills, knowledge, abilities) within any organization, both culture and leadership style must be proactively managed.

Join us as we discuss with Tessa Dent her global experiences and how an organization’s culture (the accepted or perceived way we do things here and why) and leadership impacts:

• Strategy execution
• Sustainability
• Managing change
• Employee commitment, effort, loyalty (engagement)

Whiteboard Notes:

Reflection Questions:

1. How effective is your organization in routinely gathering (formally and informally) the voice of the employee (VOE) – asking, using, and recognizing its’ value?
2. Is change management in your organization treated more as a methodology or mindset that influences behavior?
3. What biases may be creating ‘waste’ in your organization? How can you proactively address this?
4. Do you effectively know and measure the key tangible elements of your organization’s culture?
5. Does your organization have the right balance of task-oriented and transformational leaders?

We choose what we pay attention to. Choose wisely because in an organization what leaders pay attention to and measure will fix firmly and deeply the way employees think, feel and act. It will drive organizational culture and ultimately performance.

Join us as we discuss with Florian Kluge his vast experiences as a Financial Officer for two German companies operating in the U.S. Topics discussed include:

• The power of purpose
• Underestimating the importance of identifying key criteria to achieve results
• Making effective decisions
• Leading when things are going well – not getting complacent
• Balancing business needs with customer and employee needs

Whiteboard Questions:

Reflection Questions:

1. Does your organization have a succinct purpose statement – the fundamental reason you exist?
2. How well do your employees understand the critical criteria to achieve key success metrics?
3. How much is lost productivity and human capability costing your organization?
4. Balancing requires holding on to or letting go. Are there cultural elements (things reinforced and/or tolerated) that are hurting performance?

An entrepreneur sees what some would call ‘impossible’ as ‘possible.’ They make a choice to go and get it! No obstacle is too big.

Join us as we discuss with Abby Reel her amazing start-up and success with a dinner theatre and events center. Topics discussed include:

• Creating a new business model compared to adopting former owners
• Considering it a privilege to serve customers, not a burden
• Establishing hiring criteria that protect your culture
• Modeling, coaching, and teaching what you expect from others

Whiteboard Notes:

Reflection Questions:

1. Do you believe employees can work hard and have fun – that these are not mutually exclusive? Why or why not?
2. What are all the ways you ask employees to be flexible for the business? Provide flexibility for employees to have meaningful lives outside of work.
3. How well does your organization celebrate its clients/customers and employees?
4. What simple, high-touch activities tell customers they are special and important?