In the hit 1999 sci-fi film The Matrix, Keanu Reeves’ Neo wakes up in an entirely new and unfamiliar world in which he must learn to adjust to his new surroundings, and eventually master his new domain in order to ensure his survival. If you have ever worked in or held a leadership position in a matrix organization, you may feel a bit like the newly awoken Neo — confused, disoriented and wondering what to do next. What Is a Matrix Organization? A Matrix … Read More
When we think of innovative companies — Apple, Google, Tesla, etc. — we think of dreamers who think big, and take chances. Upon Steve Jobs’ return to Apple in the 90s, the company even made “Think Different” their mantra. Most would agree that “thinking outside of the box” and taking chances leads to growth and innovation. So why do so few companies, and so few leaders, actually do it? We often consider the term “status quo” a negative thing, but the truth is that … Read More
How to successfully merge divergent cultures into a single, healthy unit In the world of mergers and acquisitions, financial accounting takes precedence over all else. When one company decides to buy or sell to another, the finance people work through the numbers to come up with an agreement acceptable to both parties. What tends to get lost in the initial negotiations, however, are the people. How will the new cultures fit together? Which employees will be retained, and which won’t? The answers to these … Read More
Change is hard. For organizations made up of disparate personality types, it’s even harder — especially when there’s a lack of buy-in from senior leadership. And in my experience as a change management and family business consultant, that’s all too often the case. Change is necessary. It leads to growth — and not just on a “feel good” level. Studies show that companies who make transformative behavioral changes reap the benefits in their bottom line. Drucker Institute’s recent Management Top 250 report concluded that … Read More
Family-owned businesses have a unique dynamic. There is a lot more emotion involved than in a public company where answering to the shareholder is the driving force behind all decisions. This emotion can be a positive thing – creating a feeling of unity in which everyone works together to reach a common and even righteous goal. Emotion, though, can complicate things as well – especially among family members in the business. Family relationship dynamics often leak into actual work issues, sometimes amplifying those issues … Read More