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Burst Decision-Making Bubbles to Accelerate Growth

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Even as 2025 is just beginning to unfold, many leadership teams are already making it a high priority to also look  beyond this year and into the future. Not only that, they’re bursting their “decision making bubbles” to accelerate transformational growth. How can you maximize the benefits and minimize the challenges of doing this? That’s what we discuss in this week’s Quick Take episode.
Pam Harper and Scott Harper discuss how expanding strategic thinking beyond traditional "decision-making bubbles" can help leadership teams dramatically expand perspectives and accelerate transformational growth into the future
At first, it may seem contrarian to bring in more stakeholder perspectives to shape strategy and execution. However bursting your traditional “decision-making bubble” to include stakeholders beyond those you usually rely upon can actually help you accelerate transformational growth. All of these different perspectives can enable you to more quickly discover unexpected emerging markets, customer needs, and innovative paths to business growth that might have taken much longer to identify.

For example, find out what one of  Fast Company’s Most  Innovative Companies in the World” does to gain these perspectives on a regular basis.  Finally, to overcome the challenges of bursting decision-making bubbles, we discuss three immediately useful ideas for gaining a variety of perspectives for staying relevant and achieving long-term growth in the rapidly changing world.

Bursting your traditional decision-making bubbles can help your team more quickly discover new markets, new needs, and innovative paths to business growth – Pam Harper

This week on Growth Igniters Radio:

  • How expanding strategic thinking beyond traditional “decision-making bubbles” can help leadership teams dramatically expand perspectives and discover hidden opportunities for driving game-changing growth
  • A list of stakeholders to consider when you’re looking to expand your perspectives  (including some under-appreciated stakeholders)
  • How one of Fast Company’s “Most Innovative Companies in the World” engages a broader range of external stakeholders to help them accelerate both short- and long-term  transformational growth
  • Three actionable ideas for gaining diverse perspectives that can help your company stay relevant and achieve long-term growth in the rapidly changing world.

Resources Mentioned:

Accelerate to YOUR Next Level of Success

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Helping Others Feel Respected Can Be a Game-Changer

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Are you looking for new ways to increase the impact of your leadership to accelerate profitable growth?  The good news is that there’s growing evidence that fostering a culture of respect can measurably improve innovation and collaboration among employees and other stakeholders in the rapidly changing business environment.

Pam Harper and Scott Harper speak with Gena Cox, Ph.D. about how fostering a culture of respect can increase stakeholder engagement and accelerate profitable growth That’s why this week, we’re revisiting our Fan-Favorite conversation about new ways to look at leading respect with Strategic Executive Coach and Speaker Gena Cox, PhD. She is an organizational psychologist, speaker, executive advisor, author, and CEO of Feels Human, LLC. In 2024, Gena was also recognized as one of the top global coaches by Thinkers50.  We first spoke with Gena after the publication of her award-winning book “Leading Inclusion: Drive Change Your Employees Can See and Feel.” Her latest ebook is “25 Ways Anyone Can Help Build a Culture of Respect at Work.”


Previously at IBM and Perceptyx, Gena is a noted voice on human-centered leadership. She has advised leaders in the Fortune 500 and other large global companies to build psychologically healthy and engaging organizational cultures that drive business innovation, collaboration and growth. 

Respect is in the eye of the beholder. — Gena Cox

This week on Growth Igniters Radio:

  • Why leading to shape a business culture of respect can  be a game changer
  • A story about how our encounters with others can be interpreted as respectful or disrespectful
  • The mindset it takes to live into the aspiration of helping others feel respected
  • Three immediately useful ideas for helping others feel respected

Resources for This Episode:

Accelerate to YOUR Next Level of Success

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Rethinking Common Wisdoms About Building Relationships

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If you’re a regular listener of Growth Igniters® Radio, you know we believe that strong, meaningful relationships matter more than ever. This is what can lead to new possibilities and opportunities for us all in the changing world. Yet, let’s face it: in the face of uncertainty, the protective instinct to keep others at arm’s length can creep in. This can result in interactions that inadvertently become mere transactions. To break the cycle, maybe it’s time to rethink common wisdoms about building relationships.

Pam Harper and Scott Harper discuss rethinking common wisdoms about building relationships to create truly collaborative partnerships in our changing environmentIn this “Quick Take” episode, we discuss the common challenge of shifting from treating relationships as transactions to working on building truly collaborative partnerships. To begin the process, we recommend reading the book:  “Plays Well with Others: The Surprising Science Behind Why Everything You Know About Relationships Is (Mostly) Wrong” by best-selling author Eric Barker. His humorous and thought-provoking style makes this a great holiday read.  We also provide three immediately useful ideas for reading the book that can guide you to rethink what it could take to transform transactional connections into deeper, more meaningful relationships.

The more we appreciate the complexity of our interactions and what’s behind them, the more rewarding our relationships can be – Pam Harper

This week on Growth Igniters Radio:

  • The challenge of moving from being transactional to creating more meaningful relationships in the changing world
  • How you can use insights from Eric Barker’s book, “Plays Well with Others,” to rethink common wisdoms about building relationships
  • Three actionable ideas for transforming interactions into deeper and more meaningful relationships with specific people

Resources Mentioned:

Accelerate to YOUR Next Level of Success

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Transforming From CEO to CHO: Chief Happiness Officer

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It’s that time of year again. Many of us are wishing each other a”Happy Holiday Season.” But why does it need to stop there?  What if you could lead a happy company all year long?  While it can be challenging, we had an enlightening conversation with a CEO who actually lives into this vision – even in uncharted territory. Find out how more.  Listen to our fan-favorite conversation with Edwin Edebiri, MBA, of the globally recognized Happy Neighborhood Project. He shares his story of promoting happiness by transforming from a CEO to a CHO: Chief Happiness Officer, and how he’s changing the narrative on what it means to lead a happy company.

Pam Harper & Scott Harper speak with Edwin Edebiri, MBA, about why promoting happiness in a business should expand beyond employees to a wider range of stakeholdersEdwin is a TEDx speaker, entrepreneur, and coach who has dedicated much of his career to promoting happiness worldwide. He is the founder and CHO of the Happy Neighborhood Project and the I am Happy Project, which has over 70,000 members across 64 cities in 19 countries. Edwin’s work as CHO has significantly impacted communities worldwide. By prioritizing happiness and well-being, he has helped people lead more fulfilling lives and inspired others to do the same. He has been featured in a PBS documentary about happiness, and in 2014, his work on promoting happiness was recognized by the United Nations. He also serves on the board of various profit and not-for-profit organizations.

We discuss Edwin’s expansive view of where “happiness” comes from, how he became a “Chief Happiness Officer,” and why he believes that promoting happiness in a business should expand beyond the traditional focus on employees to embrace a wide range of stakeholders, including top-level executives.

When you think about a happy company, don’t just narrow it to making your employees happy. Including all stakeholders is how you build a foundation for a truly happy company. — Edwin Edebiri

This week on Growth Igniters® Radio:

  • Edwin’s views on the nature of happiness and leading a happy company
  • How Edwin developed the concept of how CEOs can also become “Chief Happiness Officers”
  • The power of committing to promoting happiness, especially in uncertain times
  • Three immediately useful ideas for fostering happiness in yourself and your company

Resources for This Episode

Accelerate to YOUR Next Level of Success

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How Leading With Humility Can Propel Us Forward

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These days we’re all in uncharted territory. In the midst of the uncertainty and ambiguity, one thing is clear. The needs of employees, customers, partners, investors, shareholders, and other key stakeholders will change in many unpredictable ways.  That’s where leading with humility can propel our companies forward. Staying open to everyone’s different perspectives — and what’s behind them — can foster an environment of trust, collaboration, and innovation that can accelerate momentum for transformational growth.

Pam Harper & Scott Harper discuss the opportunities and challenges of leading with humility in the rapidly changing world with speaker & author Craig Dowden, Ph.D.Find out more. In this “Fan Favorite” episode, we discuss the opportunities and challenges of leading with humility with Craig Dowden, PhD. He is an award-winning speaker, executive coach, and bestselling author of the books “Do Good to Lead Well” and his latest, “A Time to Lead,” which includes “Masterclasses” with legendary CEO Alan Mulally. Craig has been featured in Forbes, CEOWORLD, Fast Company, Financial Times, Psychology Today and other media. (read more about Craig by clicking the links in “Resources,” below)

We discuss how some of the world’s most successful CEOs and other senior executives are also humble leaders who build trust, inspire innovation, and achieve outstanding results.  We also discuss three immediately useful ideas for how you can embrace leading with humility.

Acknowledging and accepting our own humility is not going to set us back. In fact, it’s going to propel us forward and put us in the best position to achieve the things that are most important to us.
— Craig Dowden, PhD

This week on Growth Igniters® Radio:

  • Craig’s views on the value of humble leadership in the rapidly changing world
  • Key “Masterclass” lessons with Alan Mulally about authentic leadership and humility
  • Overcoming the challenge CEOs and other top leaders can face in balancing humility with decisiveness
  • Three immediately useful ideas for leading with humility

Resources for This Episode

Accelerate to YOUR Next Level of Success

Thanks for listening to Growth Igniters® Radio. If you enjoyed this episode, spread the good word! Just leave a quick review wherever you get your podcasts and share on LinkedIn or Facebook.

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Beyond Fads: Lead for Successful Transformation

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Pam Harper and Scott Harper discuss what it takes to lead for successful transformation that goes beyond leadership fads to create meaningful long-term valueWhat does it take to lead for successful transformation that goes beyond fads and creates new value for long-term growth?  This is a perpetual challenge we hear about from even the most successful CEOs and C-suite executives. Listen to this “Quick Take” episode and find out what we recommend.

Scott and I discuss how bold transformational visions can inadvertently become fads in the face of uncertainty and ambiguity. We discuss what we call “The Three Growth Igniters® Paradoxes;” and how embracing these principles can help you accelerate momentum through the “knotty” leadership issues of transformation.  We also provide tips on what you can do to anticipate these issues so you can begin to untangle any paradoxical knots along your company’s growth journey.

 The bolder your vision, the more important it is to embrace paradoxical leadership. – Pam Harper

This week on Growth Igniters® Radio:

  • How even “best practice”  leadership strategies for company transformation can inadvertently become fads
  • The challenge of leading a bold vision for transformational growth in the face of uncertainty and ambiguity
  • How anticipating and embracing the “Three Growth Igniters® Paradoxes can accelerate creating new value for long-term growth

Resources Mentioned:

 

Accelerate to YOUR Next Level of Success

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Growth Igniters Radio. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

     

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Three Leadership Questions Before Increasing Transparency

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We’re noticing that increasing business transparency is on the minds of many CEOs, C-Suite executives, and Corporate Directors. Maybe it’s on your mind, too. At its best, being transparent with employees and other stakeholders can create understanding and clarity for decisions impacting top and bottom-line results. Yet, at the same time, your leadership team needs to consider the many ethical, legal, strategic, and executional implications that can create complexity.

Pam Harper and Scott Harper discuss three questions top leadership should address before making decisions about increasing business transparency for the purpose of building trust and improving decision making. That’s why, in this Quick Take episode, we’re discussing three of the most critical leadership questions to discuss before you decide on  the level of transparency that’s right for your company. Find out why we believe that top leadership needs to have this conversation before reaching out to others. We also discuss why top leadership needs to be completely open with each other about the reasons for increasing transparency, including the benefits and the risks. In addition, we discuss the art of deciding the type of sensitive information to share with employees, partners, suppliers, investors and other stakeholders. We also talk about the importance of top leadership modeling transparency and committing to positively reinforcing it.

The more candid and aligned your top leadership team is with each other about these questions, the more likely you will be able to set the level of transparency that’s right for your business and industry.

While leading for increased transparency can be valuable, it’s an art and not an exact science. What could be a natural fit for transparency for one company’s culture may not be right for another.  – Pam Harper

This week on Growth Igniters Radio:

  • The benefits and risks of increasing business transparency
  • Why it’s critical for leadership teams and boards to be transparent with each other before making decisions about increasing business transparency
  • Three of the top leadership questions to ask about transparency before you reach out to others and raise expectations

Resources Mentioned:

Accelerate to YOUR Next Level of Success

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Growth Igniters Radio. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Join us on Facebook and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website

The CEO’s Role in Leading Confident Business Innovation – with Robyn Bolton

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What is the role of the CEO in leading business innovation?  It’s to foster the appropriate level of confidence that inspires employees, partners, and others to break their status quo and create new value. But finding the “appropriate level” of confidence can vary depending upon the circumstances, the people, and other factors.

We’ve seen that when a CEO is overconfident about business innovation, it can result in pushback from stakeholders who are uncomfortable with taking risks in the face of uncertainty. On the other hand, when a CEO is under-confident about business innovation, it can result in a short-term focus that misses unique opportunities to enter emerging markets worth millions or even billions of dollars.

Pam Harper & Scott Harper speak with Robyn Bolton of MileZero about the critical role CEOs play in leading for an appropriate level of confident business innovation in the face of ambiguityThis week, we revisit  our fan-favorite conversation about this issue with Robyn Bolton, the Founder & Chief Navigator at MileZero, a consultancy that helps leaders of $100M + companies use innovation to confidently and repeatedly grow revenue. She previously worked at Innosight, BCG, and Procter & Gamble, where she helped develop and launch the Swiffer product. Robyn holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BS in Marketing from Miami University. Her articles and perspectives have been featured in Fast Company, Harvard Business Review Online, The New York Times, and NPR’s Marketplace.

Confident innovation is about going into the inherently uncertain process of innovation and being ready to navigate your way through it step by step. | Robyn Bolton

This week on Growth Igniters® Radio

  • Challenging a common wisdom about innovation
  • Robyn’s perspectives about the CEO’s role in leading to foster “confident business innovation”
  • How a CEO led his company to more confidently shape their innovation portfolio
  • Three immediately useful ideas for leading to foster confident business innovation

Resources for This Episode

Accelerate to YOUR Next Level of Success

Thanks for listening to Growth Igniters® Radio. If you enjoyed this episode, spread the good word! Just leave a quick review wherever you get your podcasts and share on LinkedIn or Facebook.

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Embracing the Language of Mystery, Ambiguity, and Artistry

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As a CEO or C-Suite executive, have you ever felt yourself searching for new language that can fully engage employees, customers, partners, suppliers, and others with your company’s purpose and mission?  If so, be sure to listen to our fan-favorite conversation with Libby Wagner, a poet, author, speaker, and business consultant. She shares how embracing the language of mystery, ambiguity, and artistry can help leaders connect more powerfully with others.

Pam Harper & Scott Harper speak with poet, author & advisor Libby Wagner about how leaders can find new language to powerfully engage others with their purpose

Libby is president of  Influencing Options® and works with leaders of organizations large and small across the globe to create high-trust cultures that fulfill their purpose and mission. She inspires others to access and express their leadership voices and have courageous conversations that balance truth-telling and compassion. She is one of the only former poetry professors warmly invited into the boardroom as a trusted advisor for presidents, CEOs, and executives of numerous Fortune 500 companies.

Libby’s work has shaped many organizational cultures, including Keurig-Dr Pepper, Philips, Boeing, and more.  She is the author of Amazon Best-Seller The Influencing Option: The Art of Building a Profit Culture in Business, as well as five collections of poems.  Libby has been quoted in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Harvard Business Review. 

Right now is a really important time for people to find the language that they need to talk about the horizons and thresholds of their work. — Libby Wagner

This week on Growth Igniters Radio:

  • Why applying new language that can fully engage others during major transformation and growth can lead to valuable outcomes
  • The art of going beyond jargon and cliches to lead your organization through ambiguity
  • Immediately useful ideas for applying new language to leadership for creating trust and connection

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A New Take on Cross Cultural Leadership – With Natsuyo Lipschutz

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As the world keeps changing, it’s more likely than ever that you may be leading to build high-performing cross-cultural relationships. These can include relationships with employees, customers, partners, investors, and many other stakeholders. The challenge is that even leaders who are familiar with national cultural norms can run into barriers from miscommunication and misunderstanding.  This can result in eroding trust and a lack of collaboration that can impact both revenue and profitability.

This week, our returning guest is Natsuyo Lipschutz, a widely recognized strategist for elevating global leadership and cross-cultural communications. We discuss transcending cultural norms to build stronger, more productive connections with employees and other stakeholders.

Natsuyo is a TEDx speaker and a 5-time Toastmasters international speech contest winner. Her book Uncover Your Message: The 3-Step Process for Presenting Your Ideas Effectively and Persuasively, Globally and Locally was published in the summer of 2024.  She is the managing principal of her strategy consulting firm, ASPIRE Intelligence. She’s also an executive consultant for Breakthrough Speaking, a global public speaking consultancy. In addition, she serves as the first Asian board director of the National Speakers Association New York City chapter. In 2024, Natsuyo became the first Japanese person to receive the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP®) designation from the National Speakers Association. She currently serves as a board member of the CSP Committee at the National Speakers Association.

While national culture plays a very important role, and it’s helpful to have that knowledge, it’s just a foot in the door to truly understand someone. – Natsuyo Lipschutz

This week on Growth Igniters Radio:

  • Natsuyo’s take on why “…Cross-cultural leadership is less about where people come from, but more about how you connect with who they are”
  • A story of how Natsuyo transcended national cultural norms and created stronger collaboration for a client through an approach she calls the “Culture of One”
  • Three immediately useful ideas for leading to connect and build meaningful relationships across cultures, based upon her experiences guided by the timeless Japanese principles her father taught her:  “Sei Wa Kon”
  • (the  principles of  “Sei Wa Kon”)

Resources for This Episode:

Accelerate to YOUR Next Level of Success

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Growth Igniters Radio. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Join us on Facebook and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website