Leadership Intelligence for the C-Suite

Ambiguity is no longer an occasional condition of work; it is now embedded in how most organizations operate. Yet the greatest risk is not uncertainty itself, but the persistence of ambiguity in roles, priorities, and decision-making authority. When expectations are unclear, organizations do not simply slow down—they fragment. Accountability diffuses, priorities diverge, and effort increases without corresponding impact. Role ambiguity is one of the most preventable sources o

Organizational culture does not fail because leaders lack desire. It fails because the systems that govern decisions, incentives, and authority are allowed to drift. Over time, organizations default toward entropy—misalignment increases, decision quality erodes, and informal norms begin to override formal strategy. Culture is a silent operating system determining what actually happens, regardless of what leaders say they want. Culture architecture is not a discretionary leade

Uncertainty doesn’t just test leaders—it exposes them. It reveals whether espoused values are operationalized or merely aspirational. And right now, most organizations are struggling to withstand the pressure. Gallup reports that only 3 in 10 employees are engaged, with more than half quietly quitting. McKinsey data shows that less than half of employees experience a positive workplace climate, and just 38% believe their company truly prioritizes people over profits. The lead

Most organizations don’t struggle with accountability because people don’t care. They struggle because leaders unintentionally design systems that make accountability unclear, inconsistent, or optional — especially under pressure.When accountability breaks down, it’s rarely a motivation issue. It’s a leadership design issue.

Could gratitude be a secret weapon to transform your stress-filled workplace? In tough times, negativity can spread like wildfire, leaving your team living for the weekend. Emotions are social contagions. Minor issues escalate quickly to critical concerns. After a while, compounded complexity and stress harm performance and employee well-being. Today's employees are looking to leaders for more help. Evidence suggests that 72% of leaders feel used up at the end of their day, a

“The promise given was a necessity of the past: the word broken is a necessity of the present.” Taken from lessons in history and life experiences, Niccolò Machiavelli wrote these words in The Prince, published over 550 years ago. The message is clear: the end justifies the means. These words might seem harsh, but they are not surprising. They reveal the tension that can exist in business between profit and people. Is cheating to achieve favorable results part of doing busine

Mergers and acquisitions (M&As) are key growth strategies for many organizations: entering new markets, acquiring new technologies, or leveraging scale and size. Culture is acutely critical during notable changes, such as M&As, which offer an opportunity for a renewed start on culture. When two organizations combine through mergers and acquisitions for economic reasons, it is doubtful that the two cultures will remain precisely the same. Sadly, evidence suggests that 50% to 8

I inherently trust most people and can quickly distrust others. Why? For the same reasons as you. To avoid something terrible from happening. Deciding whether to trust someone or not is an essential life skill. Putting faith in the wrong someone or something is costly. Increasingly, leaders face the challenge of overcoming an inherent distrust in leadership. A recent global trust study discovered that less than one in three people are willing to help those with whom they disa

What sets a data-driven organization apart? Evidence suggests better revenue and customer value. Data-driven organizations are better equipped to make decisions and take the right actions. Today's generative AI is driving a data revolution. Recent evidence suggests that the percentage of data-driven organizations has recently doubled, an increase greater than at any time before. But, unlocking the full potential of what is possible with data analytics requires a talent strate

Without selfless love in the workplace, achieving the best of what might be is impossible. Stop and think about the implications of that statement for a moment. There is no serious debate that well-designed organizations with clear organizational strategies influence desired behaviors, culture, and performance. Numerous studies identify failure as often tied to misalignment between the organization and its operational environment. However, while organizational alignment is es

Have you ever wondered what servant leadership is? Maybe you already understand the basic concepts. But have questions about how servant leadership differs from other leadership styles or if a servant leadership approach is appropriate for your team. The costs of poor leadership often show up in the workplace disguised as low employee engagement, a lack of team cohesion and collaboration, high employee turnover, and failed execution. Businesses need leaders who can take actio

What does it take to foster organizational commitment in an uncertain world? Marginal commitment might be the new normal, but that doesn’t mean it has to be your reality. As industries worldwide face increasing instability, businesses justify layoffs and downsizing with, “It’s not personal, it’s business.” In response, employees in a stable, low-unemployment economy say, “It’s not personal. I have to make difficult decisions for my family and career.” This dynamic exposes a c

Did you wake up this morning looking forward to work? Work plays a significant role in the lives of most Americans. In a large study over three years, Gallup sought to understand the emotional needs of engaged and committed employees. The most powerful question they found was about the future. Evidence suggests that 69% of employees who strongly agree their leaders make them feel enthusiastic about the future are engaged. Compared to only 1% of those who disagree are engaged.

We can all agree nothing is certain except death and taxes. Is it time for executives and teams to say goodbye to strategic planning? Annual off-site meetings to change dates on unsuccessful strategies don't make sense. One of the most significant downfalls of contemporary strategic planning is the failure to account for a growing uncertainty in a fast-paced, generative AI environment. I am not suggesting leaders give up on strategic planning and accept gambling on their comp

Can a simple act of kindness from a leader transform workplace culture and drive exceptional performance? I had just started a new position in Nebraska. We left family back in Illinois, and a significant snowstorm was approaching. It dumped almost a foot of fresh snow on our house while I was out of town for work. My wife was stranded at home with a new baby, a three-year-old, and a dog. Without me knowing, my leader called my wife to offer to go to the store and pick up groc

When you think about outstanding military leaders, commanders like Winston Churchill and inspiring orators like Martin Luther King Jr. come to mind. These leaders accomplished incredible feats against the odds. But like leaders in any successful business, they require the commitment and hard work of others to achieve their goals. In 1941, the US established the first intelligence agency led by General William "Wild Bill" Donovan. The agency aimed to coordinate intelligence a

Have you ever sat in a meeting and wondered where the discussion was going or what was happening? Maybe the point being made seemed questionable, or the actions of others were divisive. It's frustrating and confusing when values are just words for marketing campaigns and corporate communications. A recent study found that only one in four employees strongly agree that they can apply their company's values daily. You've probably experienced this to some extent before, and mayb

Behavioral science proves it: your world is perfectly designed for the results you are getting. Leaders who want to achieve ambitious goals need to be able to change people or change people. Unfortunately, a challenging talent marketplace gripping every business is often delaying timely people changes that matter. Leaders feel trapped between tolerating performance below expectations or having the employees to deliver results. When you accept poor performance, everyone pays t

Employees want more meaningful and purposeful work. Few experience happiness or commitment in the workplace. Research indicates that only two in ten U.S. employees are satisfied with their place of work. Despite this, 71% of executives recognize an engaged workforce is critical to a company's success. You're not alone if you are on a quest for the perfect career or feel stuck in a rut. A recent study found that nearly three in ten employees are looking for a new job in the ne

When it comes to what a comfortable indoor temperature is, I am frequently in a different hemisphere than my family. On visits, debates are almost guaranteed. The surprising thing is that although spirited and sometimes a little animated, they are actually civil. And we enjoy our time together even if it means sometimes, some of us are covered in blankets. Differences are increasingly common. Distrust breeds polarization. Evidence suggests that, on average, leaders  spend mor