AI as a Truth Serum

By Dean Newlund. How Leaders Can Harness Artificial Intelligence Without Losing Their Humanity We’re in the midst of an AI gold rush. Across boardrooms and C-suites, leaders are urgently asking: What should we do with AI? But amid the excitement, most organizations are missing a critical point—AI doesn’t fix dysfunction; it exposes it. In this […]

Midlife, Meaning, and the Rise of the Modern Elder

By Dean Newlund. On a recent episode of the Leadovation Podcast, I had the privilege of sitting down with Chip Conley, a man who has not only transformed industries but is now redefining what it means to grow older with purpose. Chip’s story, and the creation of the Modern Elder Academy (MEA), isn’t just inspiring—it’s a […]

The Real Value of Team Building: Dispelling Myths for Skeptical Managers

To some managers, “team building” may evoke images of trust falls, awkward icebreakers, or even corporate retreats with little to show for the time and money invested except for a few inside jokes and a well-rested staff. The truth is, though, that team building done well can actually provide immense value. If you’re one of […]

Top 10 Ways To Engage Reluctant Team Members

Engaging the Reluctant Team Member: A Proactive Approach

What’s an old-school way to engage reluctant team members? Hire a motivational speaker?  We all know that intrinsic motivation is far more powerful than sitting in a conference room while a guy in a nice suit yells “Live with passion!” at the top of his lungs. Needless to say, it’s time to modernize our approaches.  […]

How Emotional Intelligence Can Help You Get Better Results

More than skill, ambition, experience, and what college you graduated from, emotional intelligence (EQ) is the number one quality that makes a person promotable, a leader worthy of loyalty, and a group of employees a high-performing team. But EQ requires a high level of self-reflection, consistently seeking feedback and reframing setbacks as lessons to learn. […]

The Impact That Company Culture Has On Customer Service

A company’s culture plays a vital role in shaping its overall customer service experience. Today’s consumers are shrewd. They can tell if the service they are getting is “phoned in” and just part of a company’s standard operating procedure.  They can’t help but roll their eyes or tune out when they hear “our Delta family […]

Why Ongoing Learning is Key to Building High-Performing Teams

We’ve all heard it said that “If you’re not learning faster than your competition, you will fall behind.” Today, this aphorism is more valid than ever. In the current dynamic and competitive business landscape, the success of any organization relies heavily on the performance of its teams. High-performing teams exhibit exceptional productivity, innovation, and collaboration, […]

Why Teams Are Crucial to Business Success

Teamwork is essential for success in the fast-paced corporate climate today. This is true, regardless of your industry, as well as whether your company is well-established or just starting. Teams are the foundation of every organization, and their value cannot be over-emphasized. Here’s why. What is a team? There are teamwork behaviors – good communication, […]

Addressing Team Negativity: 7 Effective Strategies

Negativity happens. But as a manager or team leader, it’s essential to address it among team members promptly and effectively. Otherwise, negativity can fester and have severe consequences on both the individual and the team. Negativity can manifest in various ways, from negative attitudes and complaints to malicious gossip and beyond. It can be contagious […]

Why We Suck at Setting Boundaries

How language and accountability reinforce our dysfunction. HOW WE SPEAK and hold others accountable reinforces a myth about personal responsibility. Do any of the following sound familiar? “You make me mad”, “On our wedding day you made me the happiest person in the world”, “Our 2020 F150 Toyota truck will give you the feeling of […]