What can Formula 1 teach us about culture?
I’ve never followed Formula 1, but I recently got hooked on the Netflix series Drive To Survive, and the unique organizational culture that propels the sport. There’s a lot about teamwork and collaboration that can be learned from the pit. In Formula 1, over the course of nine months, ten …
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First they came
“First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— …
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It’s time to redefine “better”
If you’re like most people, you want your kids to have a better life than you. This dream for “better” is intertwined with our belief in human progress. Better is the reward for your personal sacrifices and hard work. In the past, better meant more money. Money is the way …
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Let’s discuss empathy and authenticity
I was reading a business book last week. One chapter covered 5 different leadership styles. The author mentioned that each of us will feel more natural with certain leadership styles and less natural with others, but ultimately it’s important to learn each style. This enables a leader to be more …
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Lessons from a stand-in weatherman
You are a sports reporter for a local TV station. You’ve worked hard to get where you are, and you love what you do. Then, the unexpected happens. You’re asked to cover for the morning weatherman. You have to show up at 3 am and stand in a blizzard, freezing …
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How will you add your spark?
On December 1, 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, Rosa Parks rejected the bus driver’s order to give up her seat in favor of a white passenger. Rosa refused. She was arrested for civil disobedience in violating Alabama segregation law. This refusal was a spark that added to the growing fire burning …
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Why you should rock the boat
The absence of psychological safety can show up in different ways. Acting “professionally” can be a social filter that doesn’t match reality. And if you’re in a toxic work culture, it can be a damaging filter. It can mean not calling out the elephant in the room. It can mean …
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Let’s not kill ESG with politics
Making a topic political in the United States doesn’t result in constructive dialogue. Political polarization usually guarantees that intelligent debate dies. We start arguing over identity, instead of discussing the topic. (Find out why in this great article, written by my husband, Ozan Varol.) Unfortunately, ESG (environmental, social, governance) got …
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Life’s tango. Want to dance?
I love to rewatch old movies. Movies become a beautiful mix of the familiar and surprise once they’ve hit that magical place where it’s been long enough that I don’t remember much of the storyline. Recently, I rewatched Father of the Bride, a Steve Martin film with the perfect balance …
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The best way to crush psychological safety
“We’re cutting 60% of the workforce in one month.” That message was delivered to a friend during a company town hall meeting. Each person sitting there suddenly knew it was more likely that they wouldn’t have a job in the near future. Fast forward 1 month. “Arrive at 8:00 am …
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