Comments for Some thoughts on strategy, leadership, and corporate culture.

Comment on BIV Boardroom Strategy: Candid realities about business’ dirty little secret by Mike Desjardins

Mike Desjardins — Thu, 10 May 2012 22:16:06 +0000

Thank you Karole and Maria. Karole – one way that I’ve seen to help prevent the group think steered around the leader’s comments too early in the brainstorming is to have every prepare their thoughts in advance, post them up on the wall (even with duplicates), and have the leader go last, before using dots to vote on the top five ideas on the wall. This ensures that the debate that occurs after is only on the ideas that have made it through the filtering process. Every time we ask a leader to sit back and allow the discussion to unfold they are blown away at what happens in the room (in a positive way).

Comment on BIV Boardroom Strategy: Candid realities about business’ dirty little secret by Karole Sutherland

Karole Sutherland — Mon, 07 May 2012 18:27:56 +0000

Here are a couple of things I’ve noticed that prevent candid, open and honest debate in organizations. Too often the leader starts the discussion with their perspective or opinion on the issue influencing subsequent discussion. Leaders need to go last to avoid having people try to align with what they perceive as an endorsement of a specific idea or direction. Another thing I’ve experienced is the need to ‘win’ causing people to get invested in their idea and hearing other ideas as competitive to theirs rather than iterative. And, one that happens too frequently is not taking time to prepare for discussions – we don’t seek out alternative ideas and information in advance or take the time to reflect on how we want to advance the conversation or support the issue. Rather than fretting about a lack of innovation and productivity in Canada we need to get better at productive dialogue. Your article is a good reminder of the value of creating a culture of candor in organizations.

Comment on BIV Boardroom Strategy: Candid realities about business’ dirty little secret by McNeill Nakamoto

McNeill Nakamoto — Fri, 04 May 2012 21:55:50 +0000

Reblogged this on WOW. FUN. PEOPLE..

Comment on BIV Boardroom Strategy: Candid realities about business’ dirty little secret by Maria Loscerbo

Maria Loscerbo — Fri, 04 May 2012 04:52:41 +0000

Love the “hording information” description…So true! Brings back (not so fond) memories of my days as an employee and all the internal politics I now no longer have to deal with. Great post.

Comment on BIV Boardroom Strategy: star power: how to tackle first things first on your company’s strategic objectives list by Mike Desjardins

Mike Desjardins — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 01:22:28 +0000

I’ve also used it help people rank order their core values.

Comment on BIV Boardroom Strategy: star power: how to tackle first things first on your company’s strategic objectives list by Alex Dail

Alex Dail — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 01:26:59 +0000

Thanks for providing a compelling use for the Hoshin Star in determining the focus of the company. Have you ever used it outside of strategic planning – lets say for helping determine corporate culture. It really appears to be a universal tool that those faciliating group processes will find useful.

Comment on If only everyone else was more candid, I would be too… by Ben Gathercole

Ben Gathercole — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 19:00:09 +0000

Speed of Trust by Covey helped me start demonstrating (on purpose) a lot of the behaviors I wanted to see others around me doing

Comment on If only everyone else was more candid, I would be too… by christiescott

christiescott — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:16:51 +0000

Reblogged this on Employee Management and Leadership blah, blah! and commented: AH, so true, Mike! So, with this in mind, what will you change today?

Comment on Leadership Minute: Healthy Conflict by Mike Desjardins

Mike Desjardins — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 23:57:39 +0000

LOL. Thank you Maria! I actually really enjoy recording these Leadership Minutes. You have a great Easter Weekend too.

Comment on Leadership Minute: Healthy Conflict by Maria Loscerbo

Maria Loscerbo — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 04:33:02 +0000

Nice job! Maybe you should be a TV host in your next life. Happy Easter Mike!