Organizations in most industries are currently experiencing a rapid pace of change and increasing competition, forcing leaders to implement programs and initiatives designed for improvements. On the surface, implementing these initiatives are often on a case-by-case basis to address a specific need or area of improvement. However, it’s not uncommon for the new initiative to […]

When Dr. Brendan Kelly arrived on the University of South Carolina Upstate scene to serve as chancellor, he quickly identified the need to establish an improvement mindset across the organization. “We didn’t talk about our future. We only talked about what we were.” During his recent presentation at Destination High Performance, Kelly described the culture […]

 IMPACT IN THE INTERIM From 2013 until 2019, University of West Georgia President, Dr. Kyle Marrero, led the University to achieve records in enrollment, graduation rates, and to develop new student-centered partnerships. He worked to develop a strategic plan within his first year and established Engage West, their continuous improvement movement. In 2015 UWG was selected as […]

“The culture of any organization is shaped by the worst behavior the leader is willing to tolerate.”  – Gruenter & Whitaker As a leader of an organization, department or division, it is imperative that you have a great team to work with in order to succeed. It is equally imperative that you provide your team […]

Mentoring new employees is a must as the first few months are the most critical for new hires. Studies have consistently shown that a significant percentage of employees who leave an organization do so within the first 90 to 120 days. Starting on day one, it is nice for new employees to have a mentor […]

How do you become a leader that everyone wants to work for? Lead by permission and not by authority. Every boss has a title. That title gives them an authority to lead, make decisions, delegate, instruct and discipline. Successful leaders view their title and role as an honor given to them by their employees. Their […]

Four years ago… you couldn’t get a group of people in the room to have a shared conversation and understanding about who we were, what our purpose was, and where we were headed. Sabrina Hebeler is the Chief of Staff for Michigan State University’s Infrastructure Planning and Facilities (MSU IPF) department. Her presentation at Destination […]

A person’s motivations for working ties directly to purpose Think about where you work. Are your coworkers achieving their highest potential? Are you achieving your highest potential? Professionals spend a majority of their days logging hours at work; however, the vast majority are disengaged. According to a Gallup study, only 31% of the U.S. workforce […]

As humans, we all have emotions. We like to hear what we are good at. We love knowing that we are appreciated. It is important to know that our contributions are making a difference. Taking the time to recognize a job well done and to connect an employee’s performance with the organization’s goals, gives people […]

As a leader, how you communicate matters. When you model positive communication, you not only set an example, but you also set an expectation for how to interact within your organization. What you permit, you promote. It’s vital to take necessary steps to avoid “We/They” behavior and communication. Quint Studer, the founder of Studer Group […]