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Recent Articles from Todd Ordal
CEOs: Start with purpose, values, vision and strategy
When leaders have no governing principles (e.g., values, vision and strategy), decision-making is random, and chaos ensues.
Organizational Effectiveness: Working on the Wrong Problem
Organizational challenges often have symptoms that don’t readily illuminate the underlying issue. In order to solve the problems truly plaguing your organization, it’s time to do some digging and problem-solving.
Hey Private Equity: Are you really the smartest guys in the room?
If you won’t allow (and perhaps push) management to develop a crisp strategy and the plans to execute it, don’t think that your overused practice of making nonaligned, tactical decisions will save the day.
CEOs: It’s time to talk turkey
Although it seems implausible that many people would prefer indirect, dishonest conversation, the truth of the matter (perhaps the turkey of the matter?) is that much of the dysfunction in organizations is due to a tendency toward the latter.
Can great leaders be emotional?
If people tag you as emotional, it often coincides with having lack of self-control or being volatile. Juxtaposed, if they think you’re unemotional, it could mean indifferent or cold. None of which are associated with effective leadership.
How to make 'management by wondering' work for you
A recent article in the Wall Street Journal identified some research that questions the effectiveness of management by walking around. Here's how to make the most out of the management approach.
In Leadership, You Have More Choices Than You Think
How you lead, who you are as a person, whom you work for and your happiness are all greatly within your control, so own it.
How You Run Your Business is Critically Important
Building the right operating system that includes communication, planning and a healthy culture is just as important as having a sound strategy.
A Big Personality Won’t Cut it in Business
What do Tesla, We and Uber have in common? At least two things: unprofitable business models (as I write this) and founders with egos the size of Saturn. It turns out that a bunch of hot air is not the same as a good-looking P&L
The Best Leaders are Short on Rules but Adamant About Principles
The people who work for you like your rules as much as you liked your mother’s rules as a teenager. You might need some of them, but your employees will be more committed and have more enjoyment if you lead with principles.
What is Your Relationship With Work?
A generation ago, it was common for someone to be described as devoted to his or her work, is this still the case?
CEOs: Don't Be a Firefighter, Be a Pilot
As a CEO, you must stay ahead of your company (internally) and your environment (externally) or you’ll be in a world of hurt.
