Springboard Strategy

For several years, I’ve been working with women navigating life transitions and am even in the process of writing a book on using design principles to make these changes smoother. Great minds think alike! Melinda French Gates has launched a series called 'Moments That Make Us', which explores how major life transitions shape who we become. While I may not run in the same celebrity circles, I’m inspired by her work and the insights from powerful women like her. Whether you’re moving to a new house or transitioning out of the White House, the advice is timeless. Don’t miss the episode with Michelle Obama—it’s a must-listen! ?? https://ow.ly/3TmG50TkEpF

Legacy organizations often have strong tailwinds behind them, but navigating change can be a different challenge altogether. I’m incredibly proud of the recent strategic plan for Hands On Atlanta, an organization with deep roots in the city, incredible brand recognition, and long-standing community and board support. They’re truly woven into the fabric of Atlanta’s nonprofit and corporate landscape. However, with those established norms comes the challenge of pivoting. Hands On Atlanta made some bold, forward-thinking decisions as part of their plan to ensure they continue to thrive in the next decade. In year one of bringing this vision to life, the team and board are mobilizing volunteers to tackle the city’s most pressing needs. Keep an eye on the incredible work they’re doing to shape the future of service in Atlanta! https://ow.ly/Jwq750Tn4J2

Last week, while advising a client on a speech about organ donation and transplantation disruption, we highlighted the crucial role of diverse perspectives in driving true innovation. As Adam Grant, wisely puts it: "Diverse groups are more creative. They feel uncomfortable, and that discomfort motivates them to do extra preparation and share new information." What are your favorite quotes or thought leaders on diversity as a driver of innovation? Share your insights! ????

Here's a classic gem that still resonates today: The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing by Reis and Trout, published in 1994, remains as relevant as ever. Last week, I referenced this book while discussing strategic tradeoffs with a client. These three laws, in particular, are timeless: - The Law of Sacrifice: You must give up something to get something. - The Law of Resources: An idea without adequate funding won't get off the ground. - The Law of Failure: Failure is to be expected and accepted. What evergreen business books do you keep on your shelf? Share your favorites! ???? https://ow.ly/xTE650TkCSx

Strategy Readiness Tip: Before diving in, check how aligned your team is on critical decisions and whether your plan is more of an evolution or a revolution—it'll shape your approach and timeline! Before starting work with clients, I “diagnose” their readiness for strategy. A key factor is understanding how aligned key players are around the big decisions facing the organization. As you plan your strategy, assess your organization's alignment on critical choices. On a scale of 1 to 5, how close is that alignment? Given your organization's life stage, will this strategic plan be a moderate iteration of what you already do or a more significant evolutionary change? Early in the process, I often ask, “Is this an evolution or a revolution?” There's no wrong answer, but the answer will guide the timeline and scope of your strategy. Ready to discuss how to make time for strategic conversations? Schedule a consultation with me!?https://ow.ly/E6Mx50TkCpx

Do yourself a favor and grab your favorite drink—this Wiser than Me podcast episode with Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Anne Lamott is a must-listen! ??? Anne Lamott shares some profound wisdom that will have you reaching for your pen and notebook to capture her pearls of wisdom. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this! ???? https://ow.ly/8I0F50Tkcmc

Strategy Readiness Tip: For a lasting strategy, build it with your team, not for them. This way, it will become part of your organization's culture! As Peter Drucker said, “Culture eats strategy for lunch.” Successfully launching a strategy is intrinsically linked to change management. If strategy answers the business questions of who, why, and how—change management addresses the human side of implementation. By involving those who will implement the strategy in its creation—through interviews, workshops, and discussions—you increase the likelihood that the strategy will stick in the long term. Ultimately, strategy must become part of the culture and ethos of any organization. Want more tips like this straight to your inbox? Join my newsletter list! https://ow.ly/ojI450TkcgA

After 20+ years in TV, this article struck a chord. The explosion of streaming content has been incredible—so much room for artistic expression beyond the constraints of mass media. But with all the new platforms, the user experience still leaves a lot to be desired. Navigating multiple services, endless choices, and cluttered interfaces can be overwhelming. There’s a huge opportunity for streaming to innovate in both content and usability. Here’s hoping! https://ow.ly/w09l50Tkca3

Strategy Readiness Tip: Don’t just build a strategy—build it with the right crew! A strong leadership team and board can make all the difference in shaping and owning the path forward. As a CEO, your most crucial role in preparing for strategic planning is to ensure the right leaders are at the table. The journey of building a strategy is intense and can involve challenging long-held practices and assumptions, engaging in difficult conversations, synthesizing research, and reaching consensus after lively debate. One client paused their strategy work for two months so that they could complete a recruiting process for four key positions. They smartly decided that these new leaders needed to be in place to contribute to and influence the strategy. Don’t overlook your board's role in this process. Most successful strategies are led in partnership between the CEO and a dedicated strategic planning committee within the board of directors. Choose members who possess strategic agility and influence, as they will help carry the strategy to the larger board and facilitate buy-in. At the end of a strategy engagement, you’ll have a team and board that have walked together on this journey to make tough choices and tradeoffs. Once hard questions—often debated for years—are finally resolved, the team can become champions for both the reasoning behind and the implementation of the final decision. Read more tips to ready your team for strategic planning at the latest blog! https://ow.ly/3ntL50Tkc6r

As a working mom for 17 years, I’ve seen firsthand how the childcare crisis falls heavily on women. This NYT piece sheds light on an overlooked consequence: the toll on mothers’ health. We know the economic and gender dimensions, but the stress, heart disease, and mental illness linked to childcare challenges are equally alarming. It’s clear: accessible childcare isn’t just a family issue—it’s a public health issue. https://ow.ly/Uspj50TkbIh