On Culture: Bullish Leadership for Future-Ready Organizations

Myste Wylde
Aug 28, 2024
5 min read

Dear Culturati Insider,

In this week’s edition of On Culture, we investigate the strategic advantage of bullish leadership, the significance of closing the gap between employee engagement and satisfaction, maintaining the balance between purpose and profit, psychological safety as a trainable skill and revenue enhancer, and what to do about the looming HR leadership crisis.

On September 10th, we will host our next Culturati: LIVE with Matthew Duncan (Head of Thought Leadership on the Future of Work, Microsoft) and Charlotte Relyea (Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company), moderated by Shakeel Rashed (Board Member, Partner & Mentor, Capital Factory) on "Beyond Code and Content: Unleashing AI's Potential Across Industries." This session will expand your understanding of AI's transformative impact across various sectors, featuring insights from Charlotte Relyea, co-author of "The Gen AI Skills Revolution: Rethinking Your Talent Strategy" released yesterday in McKinsey's Quarterly. Sign up to explore innovative AI applications and strategies for enhancing human capabilities within your organization.

We would also like to invite you to a special event on September 26th hosted by Culturati: Summit 2024 - 2025 emcee, Vaishali Jadhav, at the Umlauf Sculpture Garden in Austin, TX. Vaishali is a former Gallup Consultant who has held prominent leadership development roles within Whole Foods Market, Indeed, and the Kendra Scott Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute. Participants can expect a day of deep learning and connection filled with interactive and intentional sessions to lead with more confidence and impact. Use code LWI for $200 off until September 6th. Find out more and register here.

Drive culture, drive success,

Myste Wylde

COO

Optimism as a Default Setting

No Mercy/No Malice

By Josh Brown

Summary: Optimistic leadership, characterized by a proactive and visionary approach, has repeatedly proven its effectiveness in navigating organizations through periods of economic uncertainty, which in turn can facilitate substantial growth. Historical examples, such as J.P. Morgan's strategic responses during the Panic of 1907, demonstrate how optimistic leaders stabilize crises and harness opportunities for advancement, a narrative that continued into the modern era with the dramatic post-2009 financial recovery. By maintaining a positive outlook, leaders not only rebound from downturns — as seen in the robust performances of the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq and the rise of innovators like Netflix — but also cultivate a culture that encourages resilience and innovation. This philosophy of betting on positive outcomes has consistently delivered significant returns, reinforcing the necessity of a bullish outlook in leadership to drive long-term success and organizational transformation.

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An Ultimate Guide to Employee Engagement vs. Employee Satisfaction

Fast Company

By Henry Chandonnet

Summary: Employee satisfaction is increasingly recognized as a vital determinant of organizational performance, yet it significantly trails behind employee engagement. Current data from Gallup reveals that while global employee engagement has risen to 23%, and 33% in the U.S., satisfaction rates are critically lower, with only 21% of U.S. workers feeling content in their roles. This gap highlights the necessity for employers to extend their focus beyond engagement metrics to the core aspects influencing satisfaction. Research underscores the importance of trust in leadership, equitable compensation, and a supportive workplace culture as key drivers of employee contentment. A study by HBR correlates high trust within companies to a 29% increase in life satisfaction among employees, emphasizing the profound impact of trust and fair treatment. To elevate this, leaders can prioritize transparent communication, ensure fair pay practices, and cultivate a supportive environment that values well-being and equitable work distribution, thereby not only enhancing individual employee satisfaction but also advancing overall organizational success.

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Tips for Leaders Balancing Purpose and Profit

Inc.

By Ali Donaldson

Summary: Balancing purpose and profit today can be difficult, particularly in a business climate where many are reconsidering their commitment to purpose due to political pushback and macroeconomic headwinds. Despite these challenges, the global ESG market is projected to surpass $40 trillion by 2030. Leaders are called to think strategically, maintaining their commitment to purpose without sacrificing profitability. This requires fostering a culture that supports long-term goals, building resilience against short-term pressures, and nurturing a motivated workforce. Additionally, establishing a supportive external network and focusing on ambitious, long-term "moonshot" goals can help maintain the enthusiasm and commitment needed to thrive. Recognizing the right time to step back is also crucial, ensuring leaders leave their organizations primed for continued success.

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Skills Training Links Psychological Safety to Revenue Growth

MIT Sloan Management Review

By Per Hugander and Amy C. Edmondson

Summary: Psychological safety is crucial for organizations aiming to enhance innovation and transformation, yet many struggle to operationalize this concept effectively. Leaders can learn from the success story at Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken (SEB), where structured training in psychological safety and perspective-taking led to a 25% revenue increase in a key market segment. This example illustrates the importance of integrating psychological safety into daily operations, rather than treating it as just a theoretical concept. By adopting structured dialogue techniques and fostering an environment where team members feel safe to express diverse opinions and share risks, organizations can significantly improve collaboration and drive meaningful business results. The challenge lies in embedding these practices into the fabric of organizational culture to ensure that psychological safety becomes a cornerstone of strategic decision-making and team dynamics, thereby enhancing overall performance and competitive advantage.

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A Leadership Exodus Looms As HR Leaders Consider Leaving Their Jobs

HR Dive

By Carolyn Crist

Summary: A potential crisis in HR leadership looms, with 57% of CHROs and 75% of people leaders contemplating exiting their roles within the next year according to a recent Blu Ivy Group report, posing a significant risk to business continuity and growth. A mass departure would threaten to erode institutional knowledge, decrease productivity, and weaken organizational culture, critically undermining companies' competitive edge. The report stresses the urgent need for CEOs to support their HR teams actively, addressing the root causes of burnout — a primary concern for 58% of CHROs — and the lack of strategic time allocation, with 43% of HR leaders spending less than 10% of their time on long-term planning. To counter these challenges, leaders are advised to enhance strategic HR partnerships, invest in employee feedback mechanisms, develop leadership propositions, and prioritize work-life balance to bolster productivity and retention. This strategic shift is essential as firms face increasing HR staff burnout and struggles with retention and recruitment post-pandemic.

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