Two years ago, when setting out to write The Search for Why, the tools we had at hand were not up to the task to adequately answer the question of why we do what we do. So, we set out to use the best science from the related fields of data science, neuroscience and behavioral science to build a Model of Why. Since the dawn of civilization, the greatest thinkers in the world … [More]
Skills-based Volunteering: The Business Case
The last year has been marked by an unprecedented combination of challenges: a pandemic, economic downturn and devastating racial injustice, all of which have affected individuals as well as public and private-sector organizations. At the same time, pervasive social issues such as unequal access to healthcare, housing, food, education and workforce development remain. Making … [More]
Leading and Living B.I.G.
As human beings, we are meaning-making machines! To make sense of our daily lives, our brains are constantly on the hunt for a story that fits. Yet, there is a problem with stories. Once we give ourselves a good guy and a bad guy, or a right way and a wrong way, our brains reward us with a hit of the feel-good neurotransmitter called dopamine. The brain doesn’t care if the … [More]
Embracing Chaos
Chaos is defined as “a state of utter confusion, or disorder, a total lack of organization or order.” If there is one thing we are not missing right now is more chaos! The world has been turned upside-down in ways that we have never dreamed of! Things that once seemed normal, now require deep preparation, orchestration and facilitation like never before. The new normal is no … [More]
Four Steps to Thinking Positive in Business
It’s long been known by successful people what a powerful tool positive thinking can be. Just think of all the inspirational quotes out there that point out the impact of the right attitude and the importance of perseverance. Positive thinking can help people in all aspects of life, and it can be incredibly powerful in the way people conduct their businesses and lead their … [More]
Feedback: January 2021
Question: What were some critical first steps in incorporating diversity, equity and inclusion policies and practices into your business? Patricia Pace Anderson Manager of Donor Program Development Donor Network of Arizona Sector: Healthcare Recent events in our community and nation over the past year have brought the issue of diversity, equity and inclusion front and … [More]
Culture Renovation
Most business leaders understand the power of a dynamic, positive culture — but almost every effort to change culture fails. Why? The approach is often all wrong. Rather than attempt to “transform” a new culture from the ground up, leaders need to instead spearhead a culture renovation. It’s all about keeping what works, changing what needs to be changed, and ensuring proper … [More]
Flinn Foundation President and CEO Tammy McLeod Joins the Utility Customer Research Consortium as a Board Advisor
Poised to apply a broad level of private-sector executive and community leadership experience that includes nearly 23 years at Arizona Public Service, Arizona’s largest public utility, Flinn Foundation President and CEO Tammy McLeod, Ph.D., has accepted the position of Board Advisor of The Utility Customer Research Consortium (UCRC). Comprised of a blue-ribbon panel of senior … [More]
Michael Bidwill, Arizona Cardinals
Each year, businesses look ahead to project, budget and plan the coming year. We always learn a lot from years prior to help gauge changes for the year to come. This year will be one for the books, as they say. Planning for 2021 will be a lesson for us all as busines owners. But before looking ahead to 2021, it would be impossible to ignore the unprecedented nature of 2020. … [More]
Courageous Feedback. Can You Deliver It?
"Leaders must either invest a reasonable amount of time attending to fears and feelings or squander an unreasonable amount of time trying to manage ineffective and unproductive behavior.” —Dr. Brené Brown Most leaders assume feedback is negative and angst over how to deliver it so that it creates accountability, without discomfort for themselves. The ultimate challenge is how … [More]
