John Boyle

Pure economic and operating models are often broken and certainly not enough to differentiate a company in an enduring way. Yet, when we measure, manage and report out, it is often the financial and operational metrics that trump all others. Don’t misunderstand me – the focus on execution and results remains, and always will be critical in running a business, however, those companies with a visible higher purpose demonstrate a commitment to their customers, communities and their employees that… Show more

Pure economic and operating models are often broken and certainly not enough to differentiate a company in an enduring way. Yet, when we measure, manage and report out, it is often the financial and operational metrics that trump all others. Don’t misunderstand me – the focus on execution and results remains, and always will be critical in running a business, however, those companies with a visible higher purpose demonstrate a commitment to their customers, communities and their employees that go beyond financial and operational impacts. Show less

Most leadership tenures at the top are set up from the start, driven by a board of directors, or private equity or venture capital structures. And new CEO’s often spend a good deal of time proving that they were the right person for the job.

That’s why it’s so important for new CEO’s to choose a durable theme that highlights their leadership role; it’s why it’s so important to make strategic and systemic changes that will punctuate this theme; and, it’s why it’s so important to maintain… Show more

Most leadership tenures at the top are set up from the start, driven by a board of directors, or private equity or venture capital structures. And new CEO’s often spend a good deal of time proving that they were the right person for the job.

That’s why it’s so important for new CEO’s to choose a durable theme that highlights their leadership role; it’s why it’s so important to make strategic and systemic changes that will punctuate this theme; and, it’s why it’s so important to maintain the instituted changes. Show less

The best and the brightest leaders in the country were interviewed about their personal viewpoints on the concept of leadership in uncertain times. In this second interview in the series, Leadership in Uncertain Times, John Boyle speaks with Steve McConnell, Managing Partner of NBBJ, who explains why targeting high-relevance strategies really matters.

There is one question all businesses have in common; how do we grow? It has often been said that if your business is not growing it is dying. Growth is the life-blood of every business—large or small. Although business may require a different rate of growth to remain sustainable, so long as operating costs continues to rise, and they always do, growth is a must.

Boyle speaks with Colleen Brown, President & Chief Executive Officer of Fisher Communications, about the importance of accountability at the top. As an example, Brown points to Katharine Graham, whose leadership at the helm of The Washington Post during the Watergate era "continues to have a tremendous influence on the media industry."

This new publication offers eight rich, provocative and insightful viewpoints from leaders in a variety of industries, including media, banking, insurance, clean technology, food, transportation, architecture design, and economic development.

You can’t get meaningful business results in today’s relentlessly competitive global marketplace with just one CEO leadership style, any more than a Major League pitcher can expect to win 20 games with only one pitch. And, if you’re at the top of an organization right now, you can’t default in times of high stress to your favorite or most comfortable leadership approach.

One variable that can be controlled in the drive for sustainable revenue and enriched profits is leadership. If an organization develops and maximizes its leadership acumen as a collective, particularly at the top, then the company can best understand how to mold, shape, guide and transform its people’s behavior. It can tune its strategy, remake its business and bring the full power of the culture together to succeed—even in today’s unpredictable environment.

The President’s lost-and-found leadership is extremely instructive for CEO’s in companies of all sizes, and in industries across the board. To be sure, if you run an organization, you know that, despite your very best efforts, your leadership somehow manages to ebb and flow as the quarters and fiscal years unfold. Sometimes, for example, you hear your inner leadership voice speaking loudly and clearly; and other times, for some inexplicable reason, it’s muted – or silent.

There have been two big stories hugging the headlines in recent weeks – the sad and untimely death of Steve Jobs, Apple’s soulful CEO; and the persistent occupation of Wall Street and other locales by armies of protesters.

On the surface, neither story appears to have much in common with each other.

But, from my perspective, they definitely intersect and overlap.

Indeed, they’re both about much-needed inspirational and navigational leadership – or the lack of… Show more

There have been two big stories hugging the headlines in recent weeks – the sad and untimely death of Steve Jobs, Apple’s soulful CEO; and the persistent occupation of Wall Street and other locales by armies of protesters.

On the surface, neither story appears to have much in common with each other.

But, from my perspective, they definitely intersect and overlap.

Indeed, they’re both about much-needed inspirational and navigational leadership – or the lack of it.

Those sitting in on Wall Street seem to be demanding greater economic justice from the public and private sectors. Yet, in my opinion, the real reason these legions are camped out 24 x 7 is because our leaders in business, banking and government have failed to grapple with large, complicated and seemingly intractable problems that have a bearing on each and every one of us. Show less

One variable that absolutely can be controlled in the drive for enriched revenue and profits is leadership.