True North Culture Advisors

Are you spending more time managing drama than driving results? Cy Wakeman’s 'Reality-Based Leadership' offers a straightforward, no-nonsense approach to cutting through workplace negativity and building a culture of #accountability and #growth. Her philosophy challenges leaders to let go of excuses, embrace reality, and focus on what truly matters: #results. Wakeman’s message is simple but powerful: drama at work doesn’t come from external events—it comes from how we resist reality. Whether it’s office gossip, shifting blame, or frustration over things we can’t control, drama flourishes when leaders allow it. As Wakeman puts it, “Stop arguing with reality—it’s exhausting and ineffective.” Instead, she urges leaders to focus on the facts. What’s actually happening, and what are people perceiving? When you separate emotions from the truth, you give your team the clarity and confidence to move forward with purpose. Wakeman also highlights the importance of accountability. She encourages leaders to stop rescuing their teams and instead coach them to problem-solve and take ownership. Here are three actionable tips from Wakeman’s approach: * Flip the Script: When employees complain or blame external factors, ask, “What would great look like right now?” This shifts the conversation from problems to solutions. * Lead with Questions: Rather than offering answers, encourage critical thinking with questions like, “What part of this situation can you control?” or “How could you influence the outcome?” * Drop the Ego: As a leader, you don’t need to have all the answers. Focus on facilitating conversations that help your team solve problems collectively. Wakeman’s approach doesn’t just help leaders cut out the drama—it creates room for #creativity, #innovation, and results. The best leaders don’t fight reality; they embrace it, learn from it, and lead through it. How can you start applying these principles today? #RealityBasedLeadership #drama #NoDrama #culture #ValuesDrivenLeadership #Truenorthculture #management101 #Leadership101

???Celebrating Excellence and Achievement!??? We are incredibly proud to share the outstanding achievement of our very own Drew An Brubaker-Kirner, ALM, PHR who has just completed her?Master’s Degree?from?Harvard! ?? Her dedication, hard work, and commitment to personal and professional growth have truly paid off. This remarkable milestone is a testament to her perseverance and passion for excellence. Drew continues to inspire all of us at?True North, challenge our thinking, and probably secretly diagnose our quirks and issues. We know you'll be applying your newfound knowledge to continue improving both our organization, and that of our clients! Please join us in celebrating this amazing accomplishment—Drew, we couldn’t be more proud of you! ???? #HarvardGraduate #MastersDegree #EmployeeExcellence #ProudMoment #CompanyCulture #CelebratingSuccess #Growth #DiagnosingTheTeam #OrganizationalPsychology

After our most recent blog post, I fielded a few messages asking what “Six Thinking Hats” was.? So – in case you were wondering and did NOT reach out? - you can read a quick explanation here ?? https://lnkd.in/esyWkaZk and dive into how this technique can bolster your problem-solving approach by allowing you to explore every 'side' of a challenge.? We even added a few questions for each ‘hat’ to get you started. It is a powerful (and fun!) method to help you break free from one-dimensional thinking and make well-rounded decisions. Let us know if it helps you or your team to start thinking from all angles! ?#LeadershipDevelopment #SixThinkingHats #ValuesDriven #Leadership #ProblemSolving #DecisionMaking #TrueNorthCulture #SixThinkingHats #6Hats Edward de Bono

Kicking off our Thought Leader Series with a man who has shaped some of the work that True North brings into the world –Dr. Henry Cloud. (We often reference his book, Integrity, in our leadership work… but this post touches on another book of his - Boundaries.) How many times have you said “yes” to something that drained your time, energy, or focus? For leaders, the ability to set boundaries isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. Dr. Cloud, psychologist and leadership expert, explains that 'boundaries define us; they clarify what we are responsible for—and what we are not.' Think about your current priorities. Are you focused on the things that truly drive success, or are you bogged down in tasks that don’t move the needle? Leaders without boundaries risk burnout, poor decisions, and fractured teams. Cloud’s advice? Protect your time, energy, and focus so you can lead with clarity. Setting boundaries might mean delegating more, saying “no” to that extra meeting, or stepping back from tasks that don’t align with your goals. Remember: you can’t pour from an empty cup. ??Leadership Exercise: For one week, try to track where you are spending your time. Once you have the general percentages, compare that to your team’s missions and strategic priorities. Are you aligned with where you are going or do you need to redraw some boundaries? #LeadershipDevelopment #BoundariesMatter #DrHenryCloud #LeadershipGrowth #ExecutiveLeadership #LeadershipMindset #FocusAndClarity #StrategicLeadership #HealthyLeadership #TimeManagement #LeadersWhoInspire #LeadershipJourney #LeaderBoundaries #PersonalGrowth #TrueNorthLeadership #TrueNorthCulture #TrueNorthCultureThoughtLeader

?? Is your team too focused on consensus? ? While unity sounds great, the relentless inclination to avoid disagreement in favor of harmony often stifles innovation and limits growth.? In our latest blog post, we share why it’s time to stop chasing consensus and embrace the power of constructive debate. We outline why healthy conflict is not only valuable but critical for teams to thrive... and provide tips (for leaders and for teams) on how to make the shift if you aren’t operating this way currently. It’s time to rethink how we handle disagreements and see them as opportunities for deeper collaboration and better decisions. ?? #Leadership #TeamCulture #HealthyConflict #Innovation #TeamDevelopment #LeadershipDevelopment #TeamSuccess #ValuesDrivenLeadership #TrueNorthCulture #TeamLeadership #ConflictResolution #LeadershipCoaching #HighPerformingTeams?

A thriving company culture isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s essential for engagement, productivity, and long-term growth. We’re proud to partner with True North Culture Advisors to continue fostering an environment where our employees feel valued, supported, and empowered. #CompanyCulture #EmployeeExperience #Leadership #USESI #WorkplaceValues

At True North, we believe that culture is more than just a buzzword—it's a strategic asset that drives measurable business success. Laurel McDermott, Co-Founder of True North, shares a powerful reminder: culture isn't "fluffy," it's the foundation of high-performing teams and customer loyalty. When you invest in building a strong, intentional culture, you're not only boosting employee retention and satisfaction, you're also setting the stage for innovation, productivity, and long-term growth. Leaders who recognize this are creating organizations that thrive, outperform, and attract top talent. ?? True North is here to help you turn cultural aspirations into actionable results. Let's work together to create a workplace where both your people and your business flourish. #CultureMatters #ValuesDrivenLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #TrueNorthCulture #EmployeeEngagement #innovation #productivity #growth #outperform #flourish

?? Are you sitting in the front row as a leader? Great leaders don’t just get to watch from the wings—they’re up front, close to the action, recognizing the efforts of employees and spotting mistakes before they impact the entire performance. It’s about being present, engaged, and celebrating the hard work behind every “effortless” success. Want to explore more? Read our latest blog on the power of staying close as a leader and how it can transform your team’s performance. ?? ?? https://lnkd.in/etaniahR #Leadership #ValuesDrivenLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #CulturalHealth #TeamPerformance #TrueNorthCulture #FrontRow #present #engaged #celebrate Jen Bell Ruth Lund Drew An Brubaker-Kirner, PHR Laurel McDermott Rob Followell Miki Ackermann

When the stakes are high, do your values guide your decisions—or do they take a backseat? Mary Gentile, author of Giving Voice to Values, has developed a powerful framework to help leaders act ethically, even when it’s uncomfortable. She poses an essential question: ???????? ???? ?????? ???????? ???? ?????? ???? ???????? ????????????? ???????? ?????????? ???????? ???????? ????????? For many executives, the pressure to deliver results can sometimes lead to compromising integrity. Gentile’s approach challenges this mindset by shifting the focus from debating what's right or wrong to asking how to act on core principles. Leaders who consistently align their actions with their values build cultures of trust and credibility. ?? The next time you face a tough decision, consider this: Are you reinforcing or undermining your organization's values? As Gentile reminds us, ethical leadership isn’t just a “nice to have”—it’s the foundation of long-term success. Aligning your actions with both personal and organizational values is essential for building and sustaining an ethical culture. #EthicalLeadership #ValuesDrivenLeadership #IntegrityMatters #LeadershipDevelopment #BusinessEthics #TrustAndCredibility #OrganizationalCulture #LeadershipMatters #SustainableSuccess #GivingVoiceToValues #ValuesinAction #TrueNorthCulture #TrueNorthCultureAdvisorsThoughtLeader #thoughtleader

One of the trademarks of remarkable leadership is the ability to keep the big picture in view even as you lead in the current reality. We can all likely agree that this is easier said than done. One recent example bears recognizing and celebrating. Ruth Lund (Co-Founder of True North) recently sat in a room filled with employees of Nitsch Engineering as they took a moment to celebrate 35 years of business success. Based in #Boston, MA, Nitsch Engineering has cultivated a reputation of excellence in their markets and consistent high ranks as a Best Place to Work. As their Cultural Development partner, our team has also cheered them on as they have, year after year, scored some of the strongest cultural health scores we have seen. None of this by accident. They did not drift here, but rather were guided by intentional, long-view leadership. On the evening of the celebration in September one other announcement was made. Lisa Brothers, the 2nd generation CEO of Nitsch announced her successor, Jennifer Johnson. Like her predecessor, Judy Nitsch, Lisa knew the import of cultivating the next generation for the future heights that the firm was targeting. Leadership transitions that are this carefully navigated are more rare than they should be given what is on the line. As leaders, we are entrusted with more than just today's decisions; we are architects of tomorrow's potential. Nitsch Engineering's story is a powerful reminder that success, culture, and leadership don't happen by chance—they are nurtured through vision, dedication, and thoughtful succession planning. We are honored to be a part of this journey, knowing that the true legacy of leadership is the ability to guide others into a future we may never fully see, but have profoundly shaped. #TrueNorthCulture #success #culture #leadership #Ceos #succession #legacy #transition #remarkableleadership #excellence #bestplacetowork Laurel McDermott Drew An Brubaker-Kirner, PHR Jen Bell Rob Followell Miki Ackermann