Cultivating a Stage 5 Tribe
I recently watched a TED talk by David Logan on Tribal Leadership, and it helped reinforce the power of culture and core values in driving success in the competitive FedGovCon industry. According to Logan, organizations are made up of tribes – natural groups of 20-150 people within which work gets done and societies get built. […]
The CEO Toolbox: Superchickens are Bad for Business
Early in my career, I bought into the prevalent “superchicken” model of leadership, believing that a few star performers were the key to driving success. But as I’ve grown as a leader, I’ve come to realize that it’s actually the social connectedness and collaboration of the entire team that truly powers innovation and productivity. This […]
The CEO Toolbox: What’s your “Why”?
As CEOs, our primary role is to lead and inspire our organizations to achieve their mission. But how do we effectively do this? In my experience, it all starts with clearly defining and articulating our “Why” – our Purpose. This concept is brilliantly explored in Simon Sinek’s TED Talk “How Great Leaders Inspire Action”. Sinek […]
The High Performing CEO: Reframing Rejection
As the CEO of ICS, I’ve faced rejection countless times over the years – from customers, employees, partners and even friends. It’s an unavoidable part of the entrepreneurial journey. But recently I watched a powerful TED talk by Jia Jiang called “What I learned from 100 days of rejection” that got me thinking about this […]
The High Performing CEO: Harnessing Creativity
As a CEO, I’m no stranger to the pressures of needing to be constantly creative and innovative. When you’ve had successes in the past, there’s an anxiety that comes with wondering if you’ll be able to keep that up, to match or exceed what you’ve done before. Society (and mostly we, ourselves) put an enormous […]
The High Performing CEO: The Happiness Advantage
Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand the incredible power of a positive mindset in the workplace. Our company culture is built on core values like Selfless Service – and I’ve watched as one act of kindness sparks another, spreading throughout our entire organization in a beautiful ripple effect. Shawn Achor’s TED talk “The Happy Secret […]
The High Performing CEO: The Power of Grit
As a CEO and entrepreneur, I’ve had the privilege of working with and learning from some of the most successful individuals in the business world. One common trait that I’ve noticed among these high achievers is an unwavering commitment to their goals, a quality that psychologist Angela Lee Duckworth calls “grit.” In her TED Talk, […]
The High Performing CEO: Breaking Bad Habits
As a CEO, mastering oneself is as crucial as mastering the operations of an organization. I recently watched a compelling TED Talk by Dr. Judson Brewer titled “A Simple Way to Break a Bad Habit,” which resonated deeply with my journey towards breaking bad habits such as micromanagement, poor communication, procrastination, failure to delegate, resisting […]
The High-Performing CEO: Avoiding the Panic Monster
As a CEO, I’ve often struggled with procrastination, feeling like I perform best under pressure and deadlines. However, I’ve come to realize that this approach can hinder my ability to lead my organization effectively. In his TED Talk, “Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator,” Tim Urban offers valuable insights into the psychology of procrastination […]
The High-Performing CEO: Embracing Vulnerability
As a CEO, I’ve often grappled with the notion of vulnerability. Society often portrays it as a weakness, especially in leadership. We’re expected to project unwavering strength, control, and perfection. However, through my experiences and the research of Brené Brown, I’ve come to understand that vulnerability is a fundamental aspect of authentic leadership. Embracing vulnerability […]
