Mish Mash – December
Best Stuff In My Files!
Hope your year is ending up well!
It has been a great year helping with client “strategic growth” challenges and opportunities. “Transact, Transform, and Transition” has served well as my game plan for their success.
Buckle up, though, for 2026; it is going to be a WILD ride!
Happy New Year.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Businesses (and some local governments) will use the economic disruptions as an excuse to clear out excess personnel. Look for AI to be the justification (as leaders do not want to make it obvious they WAY over hired in a false assumption of unending growth).
CHANGE AT THE TOP
“A leader needs to make plans for their own PERSONAL continued sense of fulfillment and joy when they are no longer in a daily leadership role in the business”. – Stefanie Brun de Pontet, Ph.D. Purpose = value, meaning, direction. Sell you business, retire, get fired, however one ends up at loose ends. Start with the end in mind – plan for your “life after” – otherwise you may win the battle (money in the bank) and yet lose the war (evolving from success to significance).
ACCEPT YOUR ROLE
When asked about why God is “three in one”, the Rev. David Keill told me that “…he is in sales, not management!” After chocking down a laugh, I came to love his response. We do not need understand everything about anything to step forward to do the best with can with the situation in which we find ourselves. Go in faith!
DIVIDED CONGRESS BEST?
Fidelity Investments looked at average annual S&P 500 performance – since 1933 - considering control of Congress. A Republican controlled Congress - whether with a Democratic or Republican President - resulted in SUBSTANTIAL more growth (13% vs 9% with a Democratic President; 12.9% vs 4.9% with a Republican President). The winner, though, was a DIVIDED Congress, where no matter the party of the President, growth exceeded 13.6%! Maybe being forced to compromise, to get at least something, may be the best way to drive growth.
MANAGE YOUR NARRATIVE
“Leaders need live from (their core) values and find practical ways to make the values come alive in conversation, decision making, in rewards, discipline and coaching.” – Mariene Chism. Walk your talk, navigate complexity through conversation. And remember, “what you do speaks so loud, I cannot hear what you are saying!”
WHAT I READ
Love Chris Saxman, leader of VIRGINIA FREE. Slightly right of center, former member of Virginia General Assembly, Pittsburgh native, and passionate about politics and sports. He brings balance to the insane and spices up his comments with surprising on point references to great music clips.
Steve Preda (Summit OS) cuts through the noise. “Without meaningful growth, there’s no money for innovation, your best people have nowhere to go, and your market share starts to erode.”
Economist and speaker Dr. Mary Kelly (PRODUCTIVE LEADERS) discusses the challenging in an uplifting way and provides tools to implement a path forward. “Listen to understand, not to respond.” A challenge in all relationships; critical for being a useful marriage partner.
BOTTOM LINE
Let us start the new year with an open mind, be slower to speak, commit to “walk and talk” from core values, and remain to open to consider life in a new light.
We look forward to sharing a great 2026!