Simi Shah’s Post

DRIVING CHANGE FROM WITHIN: MCKINSEY'S OWN EQUITY JOURNEY Even consultancy giants must check their blindspots. McKinsey focuses internally through initiatives like the Black Leadership Academy and Institute for Black Economic Mobility. External research complements internal reform to reshape an industry.

“I have high expectations” and “really believe in being kind.” Words of leadership wisdom from Guild’s Bijal Shah in Axios Denver today. Check out more at the link below on how Bijal is approaching her new role as CEO, her role models, and where Guild sits in a time of rapid change. (And, yes, some Taylor Swift content):

CSRC Speaker Zachary Welch discusses his research on the Value, Importance, and Success of Leaders in the National Basketball Association (NBA). "One of the biggest areas of growth in basketball analytics is defining a role system to replace the traditional positions and more aptly describe what a player is asked to do on the court. The ensuing application of this work has been analysis targeted towards determining which combinations of different roles within a five-man lineup is optimal. In more traditional corporate settings, there has been research into the importance of different personality types within a business unit, and how these personality types interact to bring about success. While public sports research has begun to delve into identifying key personality archetypes in different sports contexts, there had been little prior work towards understanding the optimal combination of personality types, the social roles of personality types, and the interaction between differing personalities in a sports context. While this project by no means completely addresses these topics, it instead serves as an initial exploration and introduction into the work that might be done in this space, digging into how personality-type combinations impact team-wide success, while also conducting a small-sample case study into the behaviors and interactions of specific personality types. There is still much more work to be done, but the hope is that the initial direction and suggested areas of further exploration presented here might prompt important future research into this burgeoning topic."

Last week, I presented on something a little different. ...Presenting.🧑🏽🏫 Stage skills for women in leadership positions at PwC. When asked, I thought, "Hell, yes." Because if I can help one person confidently share their message from stage, I will gladly step up. 💪🏽 Let me back up a bit.⏪ I have had a swirly journey with speaking.🌀 See timeline below.👇🏽 🔸1982 – I was selected to get up in front of the entire summer camp and give my testimony. I decided to tell it in a story form. The crowd went wild. The result? "That's it! I am going to become a thespian!" (But then…) 🔸1983 – Selected to stand up in front of my entire private school and do a reading during a church service. I bombed so badly that my friend, Faria, couldn't even look me in the eye when I sat down. 🔸1984-88 - A series of tepid school theater performances that nobody remembers. 🔸1994 – I prepared (no, I didn't) for a chiropractic school presentation and actually stopped talking mid-sentence and stood there staring at my paper, pursing my lips so as not to projectile. 🔸1996 – The famous Chamber of Commerce "lunch and learn" I mentioned in a previous post (The pain was real; scroll back and read it.) #hives 🔸Early 2000s – Speaker hibernation - avoiding any opportunity to speak publicly. 🔸2017 – I spontaneously launched "The Junk You Should Know Show" on Facebook to interview cool people and then realized that involved me speaking publicly, like every week. (Started friending the fear about 60 episodes in.) 🔸2018 – Attended Heroic Public Speaking Live event and spent four days learning stagecraft 🔸2019 – Went through Pete Vargus's "Stage to Scale" program to learn the art and business of speaking 🔸2019 – Got paid to speak – what??? 🔸2023 – Now, speaking is my full-time focus. My point (It is coming, I promise)🤞🏽 I am far from a perfect speaker. I have so much more to learn as I develop my skills. But I have a few tricks up my sleeve, collected from hard lessons along the way, that I can share with others who are just testing the waters. I think sometimes we are so afraid to teach and mentor because we believe we are not as perfect as we "should" be.🫶🏽 But that is a disservice to those who could learn from you.❤️ With PwC, we talked warm-up, stagecraft, and memorization tools collected from years of investment, practice, and training. They got this! 💪🏽 Thanks to 👏🏽 Adina I. Karen Ta, CPA, CTDP, ACC And also! Michael Port and Amy Port – Heroic Public Speaking Pete Vargas - Advance Your Reach Philip McKernan and Joey Coleman - Braveheart Media IMAGE - Thanks to whoever took this photo of me having my feet held down on stage so I would stop pacing. #PublicSpeaking #StageSkills #SpeakerJourney #PresentationSkills

Want clarity on what you want to be known for and how to get it out into the world? Join us at Home Grown Club in London on 9th September for a one day workshop where Lauren Jones and Gill Moakes ICF ACC will help you explore what sits at the core of your personal brand, what that really means and how you can start stepping into it, unapologetically. We'll invite you to think deeply about what you stand for, and how that translates to compelling thought leadership - meaning an ownable voice, your daring way of being and taking up space. We believe in listening to and answering your true calling, daring to stretch your ‘what if’ muscles and OWNING IT. We'd love to see you there...

In the journey of personal and professional development, the adage 'You're the average of the five people you spend the most time with' holds a profound truth. I recently joined Justin Donald on ‘The Lifestyle Investor’, exploring the significant impact our social circles have on shaping our aspirations, decisions, and ultimately, our success. This concept is supported by decades of psychological research and the lived experiences of individuals across the globe. The people we choose to surround ourselves with influence us deeply, from our earliest developmental stages and through adulthood. Mimicking behaviors, attitudes, and responses of those around us plays a crucial role in how we adapt, grow, and thrive in our environments. This is why we must consciously surround ourselves with individuals who inspire, uplift, and push us. It's a strategic choice that WILL yield dividends. Have you ever done an evaluation of the top qualities that inspire you in your friendships? If so, what are they? #inspiration #community #thriving #leadership #personaldevelopment #growth #growthmindset #growthstrategy

It's a dreary Wednesday when it should be sunny, your inbox is overflowing, and the thought of a career change creeps in, but don't know were to start.... What's the best medicine? some advice (and permission) to 'Embrace the Chaos' from Professor Herminia Ibarra. In a recent Think Ahead event at LBS, Professor Ibarra advises embracing the "Experiment and Learn" approach. (taking) Small steps, like volunteering or taking a course, can help you discover if a new path is right for you. She also warns against career inaction, which can erode confidence over time (certainly a watch out for many of us!). If you're contemplating a career change, remember: it's okay to start small and pivot gradually. One step can lead to another, ultimately guiding you toward a fulfilling new career. You got this! Check out the event recap here: https://lnkd.in/eE-7YEJf Ellen Miller, Chris Leach PCC, Gil Schwenk, Sarah Inigo-Jones, Laurie Matthews, PCC, Sophie Turner, Kurt Budge, Thouraya Sayess MBA CPCC ORSCC, Marie Holive, Rupal Patel, Imran Gokal, Sarah Ellis, Abby Davisson #CareerChange #MidCareerPivot #ProfessionalDevelopment #Inspiration #Leadership #GrowthMindset

Hey everyone, I recently stumbled upon these beautiful lines that struck a chord with me, and I thought I'd share them with all of you: "Perspective was a luxury when your head was constantly buzzing with a swarm of demons." I resonated with this line because it highlights how perspective is so important in our lives that it can either make or break us. We often find ourselves caught up in the chaos and noise of everyday life. It can be challenging to maintain a clear and positive perspective when our minds are overwhelmed with negative thoughts, doubts, and anxieties. I remember one instance where I opted for economics in my 12th grade, even though I had no interest in it. I was failing badly and all I could think of was quitting because of the upcoming board exams. I thought I was a failure. But then, I changed my perspective. I told myself, "It's not that hard, it's not rocket science. I can do it, I have to do it." After months of scrutinizing myself, that one simple change in perspective helped me score above 90. Changing our perspective can be incredibly powerful. It’s a reminder that sometimes, we just need to shift our mindset to see the possibilities and opportunities around us. Have you ever experienced a moment where a shift in perspective made all the difference? Share your story in the comments below! Stay positive and keep pushing forward! #Perspective #Mindset #PositiveThinking #PersonalGrowth #OvercomingChallenges

This past Friday evening, Augustana College Quad-Cities alumni had the opportunity to gather for the "Winter in the Q-Cs" event at the beautiful Figge Art Museum. It was a lovely evening and I enjoyed talking with many alumni, friends and Augustana parents who were in attendance. I also enjoyed the opportunity to present a special preliminary session on the topic of, "How to Have a Courageous Conversation." We had a great group of participants that encompassed alumni from across the decades and career spectrum including clergy, physicians and healthcare professionals, local media leaders and many more. I appreciated the robust participation and there were lots of great questions! In a nutshell, here are a few highlights to enable parties to have a successful courageous conversation: ♦ REQUEST A CONVERSATION: Request a meeting, set a time and (neutral) location away from distractions and removed from volatile, "in the moment" emotions associated with the issue ♦ SET A POSITIVE TONE: To initiate the conversation: thank the other party (ies) for taking the time to have the conversation and reassure them that you feel confident that you will be able to reach a win-win solution ♦ SET YOUR INTENTIONS: Clearly state what you are hoping to get out of your time together (and check in with each other at the end of the meeting that you and the other parties accomplished what you had hoped) ♦ DO ADVANCE RESEARCH: Whether it involves asking for a raise, promotion, more resources, or consideration of an organizational initiative or resolving a conflict, it is important to do thorough research to allow you to build your problem solving on ASSERTIONS (facts) vs ASSESSMENTS (personal view) ♦ PREPARE A MEETING AGENDA: To help you stay on point ♦ USE a "P.R.O" FRAMEWORK: In your conversation, establish your PROPOSAL, articulate your RATIONALE (based on research/facts) and offer OPTIONS ♦ CHECK-IN: At the meeting close, agree on check-in points to ensure that what you agreed upon is in fact happening #careerconversations #leadershipdevelopment #careersuccess Karen M. Petersen Krista Rittenhouse Colbie Andes Brinton Vincent Kelly Noack Evan Sammons John Glimco Jon Enslin Erin Williams Hannah Sundwall Ann Pedersen, CPA, CMA, MBA Helen B. Angie Sharp Karen Dahlstrom

Just caught an incredible story about Caitlin Clark that’s buzzing in the sports world. It's not just about her skills on the court, but something even more inspiring — a lesson in emotional intelligence. So, here’s the scene: Iowa vs. LSU, a highly anticipated rematch in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament. We're not just talking about a regular game; this one had history, rivalry, and unfinished business from last year. Remember the controversy with Angel Reese's gesture in the last game? There was serious talk about whether this year's match was about settling scores. I'd like you to fast-forward to the big moment. Iowa clinches the win. Caitlin Clark is the star of the hour, having just dropped 41 points. But it’s what happened after the game that caught my attention. In the post-game buzz, Clark was asked if revenge was on her mind. With all the history, you’d think maybe, right? But here’s where it gets good. Her response? A clear, focused "No." She said they were all about playing their game, focusing on the present—not getting tangled in past drama. This is where Clark teaches us emotional intelligence. She doesn't let past grudges cloud her focus. Instead, she keeps her eyes on the prize, leading her team with a rational mind and a powerful presence. It’s a powerful message, isn't it? Whether on the basketball court or in our daily lives, being present and not held back by the past is key to achieving goals. So, how about you? Have you ever had a time when letting go of past issues helped you shine? I'd love to hear how staying present has changed your life. Caitlin Clark has just shown us how it's done, and I'm all ears for your stories, too. #ExecutivePresence #EmotionalIntelligence #CaitlinClark