Strategic Leadership

The big business of being useful

July 14, 2021
From a young age, Jesse Genet was full of ideas and grew frustrated at what she saw as a disconnect between what she could imagine and what she knew how to build. But she had a natural interest in “extreme learning”—putting oneself in a position to learn as a means to an end, and necessary to move on to the next thing.

Why you must start succession management planning now—a (depressing) case study

July 14, 2021
Unexpected events happen all the time. Business changes, sudden retirements, a global pandemic and much more. Try as one might, you can never predict when it’ll be time for a new leader to step in. That’s why it’s necessary to have a plan in place and have succession planning always on the mind.

Who’s falling for advertising, anyway?

July 14, 2021
Though delivery systems have changed over the years, and messages have evolved to reflect the current dreams and desires of society, the ad business is still booming. Companies still spend more than half a trillion dollars on ads annually worldwide. We assume that this is because, well, advertising works. But does it really?

What brought Marvel back from the dead?

July 14, 2021
In 1996, Marvel Entertainment Group filed for bankruptcy after their stock plummeted from $36 to about $3 in just three years. After several years of jockeying among investors to take control of the company, Marvel partnered with ToyBiz and rose from bankruptcy in 1998 with a new name. Now it was time for a rebirth.

A key word for problem solvers: Elimination

June 9, 2021
Author Shamini Bundell cites a new study from University of Virginia researchers that explains why people rarely try to solve problems by taking things away, and that our instinct is to add elements instead, even when this repeatedly doesn’t work.

The road is rough for the power couple

June 9, 2021
Couples trying to balance two careers can often have an especially complex dance to choreograph.

The WeWork movie: What’s the real lesson?

June 9, 2021
“WeWork: or The Making and Breaking of a $47 Billion Unicorn” fits nicely alongside other recent management disaster documentaries like “The Inventor” and the two Fyre Festival exposés that were offered on streaming last year. What starts out one way—a bold mission led by a single visionary and hyperfocused charisma machine—ends up in a decidedly other way, with a cascade of fated events.

5 tests to see if your influence is fading

June 9, 2021
Author Stacey Hanke has compiled several simple tests for you to keep in mind when evaluating the pull you have with others, especially in situations where you have a live, captive audience.

Leverage controversy in decision making

June 2, 2021
If a decision is important and risky, it should be controversial. Every organization needs a healthy atmosphere for dissent if it wants innovation and commitment.

Strategic thinking: Get in the mindset

May 12, 2021
Leaders set strategies for their teams and organizations, but strategic thinking takes time, energy, and inspiration. To do it efficiently, try these techniques.