I hate business. Perhaps not the ideal, but what it has come to embody and represent. Though, my dislike doesn’t stem from the pursuit of profit. I don’t believe that money is the root of all evil. No, my dislike, and even sometimes disgust, comes from the all too common pursuit of profit over doing what’s right.
My conviction that I would never partake in this practice has led me down what some would consider an unusual path. … Read More»
I’ve said before that business and war have much in common. Entrenched companies keep doing what got them there, just as victors in war tend to fight subsequent battles with the same tried-and-true tactics.
However, it’s important to note that battle tactics, as well as business best practices, evolve and change. Upstarts often introduce something new that takes their opponents by surprise. You need to stay alert to survive, because what worked before may not continue be effective.
So what do businesses need to be doing to stay ahead—especially in today’s rapidly-moving competitive environment? Three major things come to mind, and both involve stepping out of the day-to-day and taking an outside perspective:… Read More»
What do you want from life? How do you want your career, your body of work, to be remembered? What is your mission in this world? These are big questions to tackle. Today’s guest, author Allison Rimm, advocates that if we answer these questions and strategize we can experience joy and have a meaningful, successful life…. Read More»
It is all too easy to accept others’ definitions of achievement. To get caught up in other people’s aims and ambitions. To take others’ priorities as read.
This is the road to disaster. To throwing all your energy into goals you don’t really care about, growing tired and disillusioned, working with less and less energy at something you don’t love. If you’ve ever spent your days watching the clock, wishing the hours away until you can go home, then you know that feeling.
But it doesn’t have to be that way…. Read More»
In our work at Stride, we get to see all kinds of creative businesses. A few are big companies, but we have a lot of small businesses too, often with just 3-4 employees.
When you talk to people from these firms, you can just feel the passion they have for their work. They have to be this way, because without that creative energy they wouldn’t have succeeded as a business. They come from many different industries, and they all have different personalities and work cultures.
But if there is one thing (beyond passion) they all seem to have in common, it’s this: they’re insanely insightful. … Read More»
There is the need for fierce conversations and an empathetic ear, the freedom of empowerment and fences of boundaries, the philosophy of failing forward and character strength of making tough personnel decisions, and the list goes on. With high awareness and self-management, leaders are much better equipped to navigate the complexities of the leadership paradox. And today, as we move further and further away from the era of command and control to the human side of business, the polarities become more pronounced and the paradox more illuminated…. Read More»
Are you feeling enthusiastic about your work? When you reflect on your day, do you feel a deep sense of satisfaction? Do you like the person you are when you are at work? If the answer to any of these questions is “no,” it’s possible you might be suffering from “Leadership Drift” without realizing it. You might have heard about team drift, but what about you as a leader? Is it possible you’ve drifted without realizing it? … Read More»
I shared recently how I’ve been holding myself back lately, trying to appear reasonable in order to bring more doubters over to The Human Side of Business. I think a big part of that was my own fear of being rejected. But finally it occurred to me, you know what? That’s enough. Like the Far Side cartoon, Noah’s Ark is casting off from the dock. If we leave a couple of dinosaurs behind… well, you can only help the willing…. Read More»
The importance of meaningful work to you success and the success of you people cannot be minimized. Old school: work=profit. New school: purpose=profit. The information is clear, a whole new generation of employees will look for and ultimately demand meaningful work. And, the shift and importance of meaningful work to all people is critical. After our survival needs are met, meaning and purpose are the key drivers of potential, innovation, ideation…successful results. … Read More»
Organizations help bring out the best in their employees by creating environments where people love to work. When employees are at their best, not only do they feel great, but they get terrific results for their organizations. Here are some suggestions for creating a culture where people feel tremendous satisfaction and reward…. Read More»
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