Are You Playing to Win or Not to Lose?
What we’re living through right now is unprecedented. There’s no playbook for it and no roadmap. But there is something you can do.
The Paradox of COVID-19
It’s been said that what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger. While that’s easy to say, it’s a perspective that only works well outside of the moment—the present tense. Given the world response to the COVID-19 outbreak, we face another paradox that we feel warrants discussion.
The High Impact and Low Cost of Recognition
Human beings are hard-wired to crave recognition. When we know that others are seeing us in a positive light, our brains release a few chemicals into our systems that makes us feel good both physically and emotionally. This feeling encourages us to engage or move towards the source that triggered it. In short, we move closer because we want more of that feeling.
A Brave Thing to Do
This company is the result of the merger of two smaller businesses, each of which brought very strong leaders to the table. They like and respect one another, and everyone believes the business combination was a good idea. They’re committed to creating one business, one team and one culture. They also are very inclusive and don’t want anyone to feel shut out.
Bad Apples and Culture
At the start of a recent client session, as we were going around the table and checking in, the Head of Finance said this:
“Since Tim left, the mood in my department is much better. In fact, it’s not just my department. It seems like across the entire company, the mood is better, the energy level is higher, and people are getting more done.”
That Note is Gone
When I’m sitting with a client team that has just finished reporting a poor quarter, I often think of a lesson I learned from my high school friend Larry.
Dan Wallace
Bobi Siembieda
John McMahon
