Latitude – Navigating Business Culture

Looking for an executive summary of what a dozen high-performing leaders think, communicate, and do every day to differentiate their organization from competitors and other employers? If so, then you found it! This special 35-minute episode covers Season 2's 13 unique episodes and five major themes that ran throughout it including:                               The power of purpose (why does your...

How could stopping this time, instead of walking by, change a perspective, level of trust, a relationship, a challenging situation? Could something so simple help reinforce that a person and/or situation really matters?                         Join us as we discuss with Josiah Haken and his experiences of leading an organization that serves 50,000 'neighbors without doors' (people experiencing hom...

One of the costliest barriers to organizational performance is unresolved crucial conversations. Research has found nearly 70% of employees are avoiding difficult conversations with their boss, colleagues, or direct reports. Workplace health is suffering - trust eroding – and organizations underperforming.                       Join us as we discuss with Joe Buchanan his experiences of taking over...

According to Fortune magazine, " business leaders believe the importance of a company's culture has increased in the current business climate ". In order to maximize the human potential (skills, knowledge, abilities) within any organization, both culture and leadership style must be proactively managed.                   Join us as we discuss with Tessa Dent her global experiences and how an organ...

We choose what we pay attention to. Choose wisely because in an organization what leaders pay attention to and measure will fix firmly and deeply the way employees think, feel and act. It will drive organizational culture and ultimately performance.     Join us as we discuss with Florian Kluge his vast experiences as a Financial Officer for two German companies operating in the U.S. Topics discuss...

An entrepreneur sees what some would call 'impossible' as 'possible.' They make a choice to go and get it! No obstacle is too big. Join us as we discuss with Abby Reel her amazing start-up and success with a dinner theatre and events center. Topics discussed include: Creating a new business model compared to adopting former owners Considering it a privilege to serve customers, not a burden Establi...

Poor customer service (CS) costs over $3.7 trillion dollars annually across the globe – up 20% from the year before. Rod and Brian discuss a variety of topics, using research and real-life examples, including: How critical it is to treat CS from the inside/out – practicing internally with each other the behaviors expected externally with customers/clients. Importance of 'convenience' to the custom...

Discover how the global pandemic accelerated digital adoption and reduced some resistance to change in a major healthcare organization. Jennifer Junis, Senior VP of OSF OnCall, will share many valuable lessons learned including the importance of: Clarity, through the use of Guiding Principles, to drive consistent, aligned decision-making. Evidence-based Management instead of fads or opinions. Real...

This episode features a conversation with the founder and owner of Russell Cycling and Fitness – a 45+-year-old small business that has been named several times as a Top 100 Best Bicycle Retailer in the United States.   Joe Russell will share many valuable lessons learned, including the importance of: Recruiting for cultural fit. Teaching inspiration and pride. Doing common things uncommonly well...

This episode features a conversation with a President of Client Services responsible for six geographic regions, 260+ clients, and 7000 employees. Among the many 'nuggets' you will hear how they: Recalibrate constantly to meet changing clients' needs Work to create a 'safe' culture so tough questions can be asked and answered Make sure the right voice/perspective/people at the table to make the be...

Welcome Back! In Season 2 we are revisitng some of our favorite episodes for all our new listeners, this is REWIND WEDNESDAY! In this episode, Rod and Brian interview the Founder and President of Creekmur Wealth Advisors. This highly successful business has grown since its inception to now serving over 1700 client households, managing over $420M of assets, and advising on $1B.   Episode Summary: J...

This episode features a conversation with a partner of a private investment firm managing nearly $300B in investments. Their key principles of Integrity, Transparency, Teamwork, and Keeping Clients First have differentiated and distinguished them both as a provider and employer.       Whiteboard Notes:      Reflection Questions: How transparent is your organization when dealing with clients and em...

This episode features Magellan Executive Partner's two corporate governance experts. They will share how and why corporate governance for any size organization (profit or non-profit) will help build an environment of trust, transparency, and accountability to be a more sustainable, resilient organization.        Whiteboard Notes:   Reflection Questions: Would your organization benefit from d evelo...

Season 2, Episode 1 addresses a simple but powerful question – What is the purpose of your organization ? Unlike your mission that describes what you do and for whom, a purpose provides the reason or reasons you exist – the why. Purpose drives performance and perspective. It can help create passion, spark energy, and accelerate excitement for the future. Learn more, including a significant, more i...

Please join us for episode #31 as we 'connect the dots' after interviewing an outstanding group of executives over the past six months on our podcast. This episode focuses on some key stories that 'stuck' with us. Why is that important? Research at Stanford University concluded that "our brains are not hard-wired to understand logic or retain facts for very long. Our brains are wired to understand...

10 high-performing executives 20 great reminders on leadership & communication 30-minute investment of your time   Please join us for episode #30 as we 'connect the dots' from interviewing an outstanding group of executives over the past six months on our podcast.  Whiteboard Notes: Reflection Questions: What percentage of your total workforce's capabilities (skills, knowledge, effort) are you cur...

During the past year, we have been honored to have had a dozen high-performing executive guests on our Latitude podcast. One of the fundamentals they all discussed was a passion and discipline to create organizations that do common things uncommonly well . Please join us for episode #29 as we 'connect the dots' from these 12 leaders' insights regarding mission, vision, values, strategy, and cultur...

What do businesses, non-profits, and the military have in common? It's important to have teams and mission-focused leadership.  Please join us for episode #28 of Latitude: Navigating Business Culture. Our special guest is Mike Bosley, a multi-talented, hands-on leader who has been a 3X soldier-of-the-year in the Oklahoma Army National Guard, owner of several businesses, on non-profit boards, and t...

Gallup research shows that just a 10% improvement in employees' connection with the mission or purpose of their organization leads to more than an 8% decrease in turnover and more than a 4% increase in profitability.   Please join us for episode 27 of Latitude: Navigating Business Culture. Our special guest from India is Shridhar Venkat, CEO of The Akshaya Patra Foundation (TAPF). Guided by a visi...

This episode features an interview with former Caterpillar Vice President and Corporate Officer, Tom Bluth. Tom shares some great examples from his time in China, France, and the U.S. where key lessons in leadership were learned. Discussions will cover topics such as the importance of core values; leadership expectations; keeping your finger on the pulse; and perspective. He also shares a powerful...

According to American Productivity and Quality Center (APQC) research, identifying the right benchmarks and sources is the #1 challenge to effective benchmarking. A great source to consider for benchmarking culture, employee engagement, and collaborative leadership is in the non-profit sector.      Rod and Brian interview Julie Fleshman, President and CEO of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (P...

Storytelling has the power to engage, teach, inspire, and motivate. Storytelling provides context for your content and makes it much more memorable.   Rod and Brian interview Doug Stevenson, President of Story Theater International. For over 25 years, Doug has been a pioneer in the science of the art of storytelling in business. This very informative session is packed with practical tips and examp...

Research has shown it can take 17 to 21 times of reinforcement to make a new behavior a habit. Rod and Brian interview Kris Paquin, CVP Finance & Sales Support at Yamaha Corporation of America. In this role she has responsibilities for IT, Finance, Operations, Legal and Compliance. Kris shares how small things such as clarifying, listening, learning, and observing can generate high employee engage...

Research has found that 70% of strategies fail to deliver the anticipated results, and 9 out of the top 10 reasons change initiatives fail are 'people-related.'   Episode Summary: Rod and Brian interview Brent Douglas, President of Magellan Executive Partners. Brent shares some very practical and tactical lessons learned to maximize alignment, execution, and performance.             Whiteboard Not...

Research has found that leadership development is critical in many ways throughout an organization. By delaying development and not giving leaders a chance to advance and grow, the company is effectively cutting its profits by up to 7%.   Episode Summary: Rod and Brian interviewed Lou (Coach) Roddy, who shares some key best practices, lessons learned, and stories from his years coaching leaders ar...