Know What's Happening in Leadership
Know What's Happening in Leadership
Behavioral systems, not talent, drive team success
Research shows that high‑performing teams stumble when they lack a defined behavioural system that governs how members interact. Studies from the University of New Hampshire and Google’s Project Aristotle found that interaction norms outweigh individual intelligence in delivering results. Companies such as Netflix illustrate the impact by codifying explicit cultural rules that guide collaboration.
The New York Times ran a profile of Nike CEO Elliott Hill that reads like a meticulously staged comeback story, spotlighting his athlete outreach, ties to Phil Knight, and a jet‑set lifestyle. The piece highlights Nike’s recent struggles—declining running sales, falling stock, and layoffs—while framing them as a turning point. Hill’s rehearsed remarks and curated meetings with athletes and retailers underscore a coordinated media day designed to reinforce Nike’s transformation narrative. The article demonstrates how earned media can amplify a brand’s recovery message.
There is a type of boss/coworker who wants “give me the bottom-line - then I’ll ask for context if I want it.” Another type who wants the context first - and if they want your solutions they’ll ask for them. And...
The article outlines a six‑step framework for selecting an executive coach that truly fits a company’s culture and leadership needs. It emphasizes starting with clearly defined coaching goals that tie directly to business outcomes, then narrowing the pool to coaches...
He stood at the back of the line. I remember when I was in college being in line at the cafeteria when the President of the college walked in with a few donors and VPs. My expectation was they would...
Lessons from 60+ search fund deals and a few guiding principles for a new CEO’s first year at an acquired company (from seasoned search fund investor Tim Ludwig): 1. Do no harm. You (or the investors) bought a good business....
Shane Evans funded her first massage studio by cashing out her 401(k) and her daughters' college savings, investing roughly $100,000 to launch a modest location in Texas. The business quickly turned into a franchise model, expanding to 120 sites nationwide...
Olive Young, South Korea's top beauty retailer, named Gaeun Kwon as chief executive of its U.S. arm. The company will debut its first American store in Pasadena, California, in May 2026, followed by a preview location at Westfield Century City....
Imposter syndrome affects more than 70% of CEOs despite strong performance, surfacing especially during high‑stakes events like board presentations or market expansions. The article argues that this self‑doubt can be reframed as a growth signal, enhancing empathy, decision‑making, and emotional...
Nebius, the AI‑focused cloud provider, has appointed Dan Lawrence as Senior Vice President and General Manager for the Americas. Based in Boston, Lawrence will drive the company’s rapid U.S. expansion, scaling its go‑to‑market engine across strategic, enterprise, ISV and AI‑native...
🚀 The Future of Work is Humans with AI The workplace is undergoing one of the most profound transformations in modern history. Rapid technological progress, shifting employee expectations, and global disruption are redefining how work gets done. But the biggest change isn't...
The post argues that the real risk isn’t oversharing but undersharing, and that thoughtful disclosure can strengthen trust, influence, and wellbeing. It cites research showing people default to silence, which limits connection in personal and professional relationships. By treating disclosure...
The article argues that the most effective leaders distinguish themselves through authentic differentiation rather than blending in. It highlights how cognitive diversity, calculated risk‑taking, and strategic visibility create a competitive edge and foster innovation. Real‑world examples show that leaders who...
Veteran fintech leader Keith Todd has launched Sapphire Technology Group Ltd., a London‑based firm built around the “Sapphire Doctrine” – a repeatable framework for high‑growth, stakeholder‑aligned transformation. The company will run two core initiatives: Sapphire Leadership, a C‑suite coaching program...
Why do so many organizations report AI adoption, yet see limited returns? New data suggests it’s not just execution. Fear of becoming less relevant, or even replaced, leads employees to “use” AI without truly embracing it. The real shift? Treat AI...
In this episode, Joelle Emerson, CEO and co‑founder of Paradigm, discusses how company culture is fundamentally a governance issue, tracing her journey from civil‑rights law to building a culture‑focused advisory firm. She explains how the rapid DEI push after 2020...
Stephen Allan is stepping down as executive chair of Brainlabs after a four‑year tenure. Allan joined the data‑driven marketing firm in 2022, overseeing its expansion into new markets and product lines. The departure comes as Brainlabs continues to scale its...
The article argues that culture should be the foundation of a business, not a peripheral marketing layer. In mature markets where product advantages fade quickly, cultural relevance becomes the durable moat that fuels pricing power, better unit economics, and sustained...
Logitech CEO Hanneke Faber says artificial intelligence is making hardware “sexy” again, as the company rolls out AI‑enabled peripherals and a proprietary AI tool that prepares board‑room materials. After a multi‑quarter decline, Logitech has posted eight consecutive quarters of top‑...
Phoenix Copper (AIM: PXC) dismissed its executive chairman Marcus Edwards‑Jones and CFO Richard Wilkins after an internal probe revealed undisclosed related‑party payments of about $1.765 million to a firm owned by the chairman and an additional £610,000 in unauthorized bond‑related transfers. The board...
The article introduces the “Silent Middle,” a cohort of high‑capability employees who appear competent while silently battling burnout. These workers keep output stable but mask declining capacity, creativity, and risk tolerance. Because they do not overtly disengage, leaders often miss...
Collective discernment is the board’s shared ability to surface weak signals, integrate dissent, and act decisively under pressure. Recent collapses at Silicon Valley Bank and Wirecard show that even with ample data, a lack of collective judgment can precipitate failure....
Pascal Dennis revisits his V = Q × A equation, asserting that AI‑driven value hinges on both quality and acceptance. While AI can dramatically raise the quality of data, models, and processes, it often undermines acceptance due to growing public skepticism toward technology. The...
In professional‑service firms, quiet excellence has given way to visible leadership. Partners now must demonstrate impact through LinkedIn posts, client reviews, and internal dashboards, turning transparency into a credibility metric. MIT Sloan’s research identifies three levers—internal recognition, external reputation, and...
An enormous ship engine suddenly stopped working. Teams of engineers tried to fix it. Hours passed. Then days. Nothing worked. Finally, the owners called a veteran engineer with decades of experience. He walked around the engine slowly, studying it in silence. After...
The article debates which C‑level executive should pull the kill switch on a failing AI initiative. While the CFO typically decides based on missed ROI and rising costs, the CIO steps in when technical feasibility or data readiness falters, and...
The article outlines four AI‑driven triggers reshaping transformational leadership: late‑2025 AI model releases, volatile investor reactions, a 35% drop in U.S. venture‑capital funding with AI firms capturing 61% of the pie, and heightened geopolitical uncertainty. Concurrently, the U.S. labor market...
As companies transition from startup to scale‑up, HR must shift from informal, proximity‑driven culture to a structured operating framework. The article argues that empathy alone cannot sustain large workforces; it needs to be codified in systems, rhythms, and fair processes....
Apple CEO Tim Cook revealed that the company’s meetings are deliberately filled with arguments and debate, rather than seeking quick consensus. He explained that this culture forces every detail to be scrutinized, turning disagreement into a source of stronger ideas....
Nick Pearson joined Ricoh Europe as CIO in December 2023, stepping into a newly created board‑level role to steer the company’s shift from a hardware‑centric, asset‑based model to a services‑focused business. He oversees a federated IT organisation that supports 17,000 employees,...
A manager is struggling with an employee, Brenda, who cries frequently at her desk, often without clear triggers. Brenda’s emotional volatility is disrupting team productivity as the company approaches a high‑demand period. While she is receiving therapy, the manager wants...
Stop waiting to be empowered. Start taking ownership. I hear this constantly: • "We're not empowered." • "Leadership won't let us make decisions." • "The org isn't set up for us to succeed." And from CEOs, the mirror image: • "They don't take ownership." •...
C-Suite Skills That Can Hurt You in Small Business. Why corporate strengths can become small business traps. https://t.co/MoFjG79ZNj https://t.co/S0CdFXiYiy
Arizona Cardinals Chief People Officer Shaun Mayo outlines a five‑point people strategy for 2026, targeting leadership effectiveness, AI‑ready capabilities, a best‑place‑to‑work culture, expanded learning, and HR system optimisation. The plan hinges on "The Cardinals Way" manifesto, co‑created by staff to...
Warren Buffett: "You want to enjoy every day. You want to have a job you love — and you want to work with people you like and admire and trust. If you've got that, you are a long way home."...
The article reflects on a colleague’s death revealing how leaders often withhold genuine appreciation until after a person is gone. It argues that ambiguous feedback creates fear, reduces innovation, and leads to silent, over‑working employees. The author proposes concrete practices—specific...
This has been going on since VDL was selected, maybe a good idea not to select someone with this type of ego.
In a climate where 70 percent of CEOs cite high disruption, boards are shifting focus from résumé credentials to executive agility. Russell Reynolds Associates (RRA) uses its 26‑year‑old Leadership Portrait to quantify traits such as curiosity, resilience, and social intelligence, adding...
A Wall Street Journal survey revealed a 38‑point gap between executives, who claim AI saves eight or more hours weekly, and front‑line workers, who report less than two hours of benefit. A National Bureau of Economic Research study of 6,000...
Imagine’s CEO describes a day without a set routine, shifting between urgent operational issues and multi‑year strategic projects. He emphasizes that his work revolves around three pillars—communication with customers and partners, internal and external leadership, and coaching the organization toward...
HDFC Life Insurance has appointed veteran executive Vijay Vaidyanathan as its chief human resources officer, effective April 1, 2026. Vaidyanathan, who joined the insurer in 2001, brings more than two decades of experience across sales, bancassurance, and talent management, most...
An executive director at a young nonprofit reports that the newly appointed board chair repeatedly has emotional breakdowns, creating tension among board members. The chair’s recent outburst during a meeting highlighted a perceived power struggle and prompted a request for...
Fiera Real Estate announced Ben Coles as its new chairman, succeeding founder Ray Palmer who is stepping back after more than three decades at the helm. The platform, known for its data‑driven commercial real‑estate intelligence, will now be guided by...
Business legacy is no longer measured solely by size or wealth; it hinges on culture, trust, and enduring values. The article uses Itzhak Ezratti, founder of GL Homes, to illustrate how intentional, values‑driven leadership and patient growth create a lasting...
Founders are racing to ship AI products, but a growing "empathy deficit" threatens success. While 52% of executives cite critical thinking as essential, only 17% prioritize empathy—cognitive empathy that models real user behavior. The article argues that neglecting this skill...
Andrew Bialecki, Harvard‑trained physicist and co‑founder, now leads Klaviyo—a 2,000‑person SaaS firm that powers millions of customer conversations—with a disciplined, creator‑type schedule. He starts his day with an early jog, family walk, and a structured office arrival, then uses AI...
A new roundup of 20 C‑suite leaders reveals personal rituals designed to prevent burnout, ranging from family game nights and meditation to street‑level consumer engagement and no‑email Fridays. Executives emphasize protecting non‑negotiable family time, managing energy before and after work,...
A YouGov survey commissioned by SafetyCulture found that 69% of frontline managers in the UK and Ireland would rather not manage people if their pay remained unchanged. The reluctance is strongest among younger workers, with 73% of Gen Z and...
The post argues that senior executives frequently lose job offers not because of qualifications but because they mishandle standard, tough interview questions. It highlights the career‑gap question as the most common stumbling block and shows a before‑and‑after rewrite that turns...
The article explains that learned helplessness—employees’ conditioned passivity under strict hierarchies—does not disappear when a company flattens its structure. Without targeted capability development, workers experience cognitive, motivational, and emotional blocks, leading to anxiety and the re‑emergence of informal hierarchies. Valkiainen...
The article argues that excessive workplace niceness creates a silent feedback loop that deprives leaders of truthful input. Employees often withhold criticism to avoid conflict, leading to sanitized information reaching decision‑makers. This dynamic hampers productivity, innovation, and effective problem‑solving. Amira...
