Changing organizational culture – changing how we change

A NEW LEADERSHIP MODEL

It was 1998 when POLLY LaBARRE and MIKE ABRASHOFF first met – drawn together by their mutual passion for exploring new ways to lead and develop a powerful organizational culture.

Polly was working on a Fast Company cover story called The Future of Business.  She heard about a navy commander who had achieved incredible things by changing up the way leadership was done on board the $1 billion warship, the USS Benfold. Polly met with Mike for a first-hand look at the captain who was the talk of the Navy.  They were kindred spirits and Polly’s article in the April, 1999 issue of the magazine – “The Agenda: Grassroots Leadership” – went on catch the attention of millions of readers – bringing Mike Abrashoff’s incredible true story of transforming an entrenched organizational culture onboard ship to the world.

“After one conversation with Mike,” Polly said, “I knew he had a book in him. His greatest gift as a leader is his ability to inspire and cultivate MORE leaders. I feel a real kinship with him as he’s been fighting the bureaucracy, hierarchy, and traditions that muffle people’s full contribution, passion, and initiative at work. That’s why my work is devoted to creating a viable alternative to bureaucracy, one where you transcend the tradeoffs between control and freedom, discipline and creativity, scale and adaptability.”

THE CHALLENGE OF CHANGING ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE

Almost 20 years later, Mike and Polly remain focused and fascinated with one question: how can we change the way organizations change their organizational culture?  Audiences at every level – front line to C-suite – love their talks because each delivers simple ideas that are effective and can be put to use immediately.

Last week Mike spoke for Clear Choice Management Services . . .

“…you ‘hit it out of the ballpark’ in regards to connecting with our doctor network.  Your plain spoken, genuine and sincere persona together with your message of having people focus on what they can control vs. what they cannot, resonated …” 
-VP Clinical Affairs, Clear Choice Management Services

Meanwhile Polly spoke for the architectural firm of Perkins + Will, receiving this email feedback . . .

“I had high expectations, but you completely exceeded them! You were absolutely brilliant on all fronts: content, delivery, timing, storytelling, and more. Everyone I talked to cited your talk as the highlight of our conference.”
– CEO, Perkins + Will

In a world filled with disruptive change, creating a resilient and adaptive organizational culture is critical.  The practical insights Polly LaBarre and Mike Abrashoff offer in their presentations provide leaders with valuable tools to move forward.