Right Attitudes

Ideas for Impact

Leading Teams

Talk to Your Key Stakeholders Every Week

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Stay Connected, Stay Informed: Weekly Conversations with Key Stakeholders Get into the routine of catching up with your key stakeholders from various roles regularly.

You don’t need to have long meetings—even just a quick ten-minute chat can do wonders.

Think of it like doing regular walk-abouts to keep your ear to the ground. You’ll stay in the loop and spot any areas that need attention.

Plus, you’ll strengthening relationships. Being accessible and open to listening encourages people to speak up and deal with issues then and there. You’ll nip problems in the bud.

Idea for Impact: Stay connected, stay informed. Being open goes a long way.

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Embracing Cultural Sensitivity: A Case Study of Akira Kurosawa’s Oscar Speech

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Consider the acceptance speech delivered by the renowned director Akira Kurosawa when he received the Honorary Award at the 62nd Academy Awards in 1989. This award recognized his lifetime achievements and his significant impact on filmmaking, both in Japan and internationally.

I am very deeply honored to receive such a wonderful prize, but I have to ask whether I really deserve it. I’m a little worried, because I don’t feel that I understand cinema yet. I really don’t feel that I have yet grasped the essence of cinema. Cinema is a marvelous thing, but to grasp its true essence is very, very difficult. But what I promise you is that from now on I will work as hard as I can at making movies and maybe by following this path I will achieve an understanding of the true essence of cinema and earn this award. George [Lucas], Steven [Spielberg]. Thank you.

In the Western world, some may perceive this language as a display of false modesty. It appears that the legendary Kurosawa, whose cinematic genius revolutionized storytelling, downplays his abilities and achievements, seemingly deflecting praise.

Let’s Be Cautious Not to Impose Norms We Call Our Own

While Kurosawa’s speech might come across as insincere or disingenuous, it’s important to consider cultural relativism. Different cultures have varying values, norms, and philosophical perspectives. What might be seen as a positive sentiment in one culture can be perceived differently in another.

Respecting Diversity: Avoiding Imposing Personal Norms As this case study illustrates, the concept of humility in Asian cultures may differ from that in Western cultures. Many Eastern cultures approach humility not merely as an understanding of personal limits, but as a way to let go of the self, understand one’s place in the larger scheme of existence, and connect with a greater reality. (In contrast, Western traditions, for they’re based in Abrahamic traditions, often conceptualize humility as submission to God.) Eastern traditions encourage adopting a particular perspective on life, focusing on understanding the small role one plays in a vast universe, appreciating others, and recognizing their inherent worth. For instance, in Buddhism, one of the elements of the eight-fold path is “right intention,” which involves freeing oneself from selfishness, partly achieved through humble thought.

Idea for Impact: Cultural sensitivity is essential to avoid unintentional offense. Interpreting sentiments and communication within the cultural and philosophical context of the individuals involved is crucial for effective cross-cultural understanding and respect.

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Kickstart Big Initiatives: Hackathons Aren’t Just for Tech Companies

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Kickstart Big Initiatives: Hackathons Aren't Just for Tech Companies In the late 1990s, hackathons emerged as compressed events on university campuses. Open-source software teams organized these gatherings to bring together enthusiasts and drive progress forward over a few days. Yahoo! introduced its inaugural “Hack Day” in December 2005.

In its early days, Facebook popularized the concept by hosting daylong hackathon events every four to eight weeks. At each event, around 300 employees gathered in the morning to brainstorm and form teams. By the day’s end, these teams churned out 50 “first-stage-done” prototypes, ranging from backend engineering upgrades to small product features that could be easily implemented. Notably, Facebook’s iconic ‘Like’ button originated from one of these hackathons.

Internal Hackathons Unleash the Innovation Mode

Hackathons offer clear advantages over traditional innovation management processes, bringing a sense of urgency and focus that stems from working under strict deadlines. This intensity ensures that motivated individuals come together to refine their ideas into actionable plans.

Sometimes referred to as “FedEx Days,” a term popularized by the Australian enterprise software company Atlassian, hackathons encourage creativity by allowing employees to team up quarterly and work on ideas outside their regular duties, such as fixing bugs or developing new features. Teams are expected to deliver proof-of-concept prototypes overnight, hence the reference to the quick delivery service FedEx.

Hackathons have become mainstream, with organizations using them as an enjoyable and cost-effective way to drive innovation. For instance, in 2011, New York hosted a “Reinvent NYC.gov” hackathon to redesign the city’s official website. Similarly, in 2014, toy company Hasbro held a with 150 designers, generating 45 new ideas in just a few days. More impressively, in 2018, the Vatican organized a three-day hackathon to address global issues such as social inclusion, refugees, and interfaith understanding.

Why You Should Give Hackathons a Try (& Advance Your Side Projects)

Try a Personal Hackathon---Conquer 'Someday' Projects Now Could your organization, community, or home use an internal hackathon? It’s an excellent way to shake things up, break routines, and foster innovation. A hackathon can also tackle those lingering “someday we’ll get to this” projects—like spring-cleaning, organizing, refining processes, and enhancing best practices.

During a hackathon, you can pursue initiatives that fall outside anyone’s core responsibilities and often get overlooked amid the chaos of schedules and deadlines. In the week leading up to the event, gather for a whiteboard session to brainstorm and refine ideas that might not have surfaced otherwise. A hackathon provides a fun opportunity to recognize talent, promote cross-team collaboration, and accomplish tasks quickly.

Similarly, could you benefit from a personal hackathon? Consider dedicating a full day or even just an afternoon to clear backlogs, reorganize your space, kickstart a passion project, or tackle something you’ve been putting off.

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Empower Your Problem-Solving with the Initial Hypothesis Method

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Empower Your Problem-Solving with the Initial Hypothesis Method McKinsey, the renowned management consultancy firm, is celebrated for its rigorous problem-solving methodology, famously known as the ‘McKinsey Way.’ This structured approach is centered on the concept of the Initial Hypothesis. When confronted with complex business challenges, McKinsey consultants embark on a process that begins with formulating an educated guess about the underlying issues or opportunities. This initial hypothesis isn’t mere speculation; it’s firmly rooted in preliminary research, data analysis, and market trends.

McKinsey’s Hypothesis-Driven Approach to Problem Solving

'The McKinsey Way' by Ethan Rasiel (ISBN 0070534489) Leveraging their deep industry expertise, McKinsey consultants draw upon their knowledge of similar situations to craft this initial hypothesis. It serves as the foundation for further investigation, offering a structured framework for problem-solving and acting as a testable proposition. As consultants delve deeper into the problem, they continuously assess and refine their hypothesis based on emerging insights and evidence.

Through this iterative process, McKinsey teams unearth hidden patterns, pinpoint root causes, and develop more robust recommendations for their clients. By grounding decision-making in sound reasoning and data-driven insights, McKinsey ensures that their solutions are not only effective but also thoroughly vetted and validated.

Get Grounded in Evidence, Navigate Problems with Structure

'The McKinsey Mind' by Ethan Rasiel (ISBN 0071374299) The McKinsey Initial Hypothesis method emphasizes clarity, evidence, collaboration, flexibility, and continuous improvement in problem-solving endeavors—starting with an initial hypothesis can significantly benefit your approach to complex problems, catalyzing data collection and detailed examination. By rigorously validating or invalidating your initial hypothesis and adjusting it accordingly, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the problem, along with a clearer grasp of associated risks and opportunities.

Be aware of the limitations of the initial hypothesis approach, though. It may be influenced by preconceived notions or existing solutions, limiting creativity and exploration. In such cases, adopt a more exploratory approach to fully uncover and address the complexities of the problem at hand, especially when innovative solutions and fresh perspectives are required.

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How Toyota Thrives on Imperfection

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Toyota's Reflection Ritual: Perfecting Success with 'Hansei' The Japanese seamlessly blend their way of life with business, offering valuable lessons for the rest of us. Central to their culture is “Hansei“—deep self-reflection to acknowledge mistakes and plan prevention strategies. Hansei is practiced ad infinitum and consistently. It’s vital for personal and professional growth, both individually and collectively.

Toyota exemplifies this approach. Even after success, every team holds reflective “Hansei-Kai” meetings, akin to After Action Reviews (AARs.) The notion of everything being flawless is actively discouraged; instead, the culture stresses that “no problem is a problem.” If the team fails to identify any issues, it suggests they didn’t exert enough effort to meet expectations (highlighting areas for improvement,) lacked critical or objective analysis, or perhaps needs to cultivate more humility.

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The Likeability Factor: Whose “Do Not Pair” List Includes You?

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Southwest Airlines Employs Southwest Airlines employs an “Avoidance Bid System,” similar to the “Do Not Pair” systems found at other airlines. This system allows first officers to select up to three captains they prefer not to fly with when scheduling their monthly rosters. The process is straightforward; it involves entering the captain’s employee number without the need to provide a reason for the preference.

If Southwest’s crew scheduling system pairs a first officer with one of their “avoided” captains, the first officer will be reassigned to a different trip. Notably, captains do not have the same privilege to designate first officers they prefer not to fly with.

The Avoidance Bid System gained significant attention after the Southwest Airlines Flight 345 incident in July 2013. This incident involved a Boeing 737-700 aircraft experiencing a nose gear collapse during a hard landing at New York’s LaGuardia Airport. Despite receiving warnings from the first officer to abort the landing, the captain ignored the alerts. Subsequent investigations uncovered that the captain had received numerous grievances from many first officers she had flown with before; in fact, she was on many first officers’ “Do Not Pair” lists.

In professions such as aviation, which depend heavily on standardization and routine procedures, the impact of workplace likability is intriguing to ponder. When management overlooks individuals who struggle to collaborate and adhere to standard procedures, it poses a considerable risk to safe operations. Errant behavior, particularly from those in positions of power, can disrupt team dynamics, sow tension among colleagues, and weaken the efficacy of established protocols.

Idea for Impact: Ever stop and think if your coworkers would slap your name on their “Do Not Pair” list if our company had a system like that? Maybe your skills, experience, or even just your attitude could land you there. Likability is the glue that fortifies professional relationships and unlocks pathways to opportunities.

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Innovation Without Borders: Shatter the ‘Not Invented Here’ Mindset

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Jack Welch's Solution to Innovation: Breaking Down 'Not Invented Here' Barriers at GE

Jack Welch’s leadership during his tenure at General Electric (GE) has faced fair criticism, particularly for his overemphasis on financial engineering and short-term shareholder value over long-term investments in research and development. This scrutiny has intensified in recent years, especially following the challenges seen in other companies like Boeing, evidenced by the issues with its 737 MAX product line. However, amidst these concerns, some aspects of Welch’s management playbook remain worthy of emulation by other managers.

From Closed Doors to Open Minds: Jack Welch’s Approach to ‘Not Invented Here’ at GE

Upon assuming the role of CEO in 1981, Jack Welch wasted no time in addressing deep-rooted cultural issues within GE. Drawing from his intimate understanding of GE’s internal dynamics and bureaucratic hurdles, Welch was determined to transform the company into an environment where meritocracy and innovation thrived, regardless of the source of ideas.

'Jack-Straight from the Gut' by Jack Welch (ISBN 0446690686) One significant obstacle was the pervasive “Not Invented Here” (NIH) syndrome, wherein GE teams believed that good ideas could come only from within. Across GE, managers disregarded external ideas, even from other divisions within the company, stifling innovation and teamwork.

To counteract this mindset, Welch advocated for a culture that welcomed external ideas. He formed teams tasked with studying successful strategies employed by companies like Ford, Dell, and HP, and sought input from leaders at other notable firms such as AlliedSignal and Cisco. One famous instance of this approach was Welch’s adoption of Six Sigma, a quality management technique developed by Motorola, which he seamlessly incorporated into GE’s practices.

Beyond Boundaries: Winning with External Ideas

Welch cultivated an environment at GE where employees were urged to observe and glean insights from competitors, fostering a culture of continual improvement and adaptability. He placed special importance on simplifying processes and making decisions swiftly.

Idea for Impact: Innovation isn’t about being a trendsetter just for the sake of it. Instead, embrace the idea of being a proud copycat! Swipe those great ideas from the top players in the game and don’t forget to give credit where it’s due. After all, success often comes from embracing the brilliance of others.

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What Does ‘Culture of Respect’ Really Mean?

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What Does 'Culture of Respect' Really Mean? A culture of respect involves a pervasive attitude and a set of behaviors that uphold the dignity, worth, and boundaries of every individual.

A culture of respect is one in which everyone knows exactly where the lines of appropriate and inappropriate conduct lie.

A culture of respect is one in which everyone takes responsibility for their actions and their impact on others. They also hold themselves and others accountable for maintaining respectful behavior.

A culture of respect is one in which everyone feels confident enough to speak up when somebody—no matter their rank—crosses the threshold of acceptable behavior.

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Why New Expatriate Managers Struggle in Asia: Confronting the ‘Top-Down’ Work Culture

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Why Expatriate Managers Struggle in Asia: Confronting the 'Top-Down' Work Culture Running the show in Asia is a whole different ball game compared to the West.

The management culture in Asia is primarily characterized by a pronounced top-down structure. Hierarchy based on position and seniority calls the shots.

Employees often see themselves more as executors of decisions that come from above, rather than being actively involved in the decision-making process. On top of that, there’s a fear of speaking up, worried they’ll stir up trouble or get sidelined.

This lack of creativity and proactive engagement stifles innovation and hampers organizational effectiveness. Even when employees recognize serious issues, they keep mum, sticking strictly to what they’re told.

Idea for Impact: For new expat managers, the key is getting people to open up, share their ideas, and challenge the status quo. Dive in, listen up, and make everyone part of the decision-making process. Their insights could be the game-changer your organization needs.

Take time to build those personal connections and create a vibe where everyone’s pitching in. Understand the influence networks and ditch the old-school compliance mindset.

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Leadership Isn’t a Popularity Contest

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Leadership Isn't a Popularity Contest Smart leaders accept that some decisions—like letting someone go or pulling the plug on a project—might not sit well with everyone, but tough decisions must be made for the greater good.

Leadership demands a tough mindset. While considering conflicts and respecting diverse opinions, leaders must prioritize decisions based on facts and organizational goals rather than personal preferences.

Leadership isn’t for you if you can’t handle others’ disapproval. Seeking constant approval and validation only weakens your ability to hold yourself accountable.

Idea for Impact: As a leader, be tough when you must and kind when you can. Raising your likability should be an aspiration and not a goal. Being trusted to make the right decisions is more important than sacrificing short-term popularity.

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