Diversity and inclusion are necessary precursors to engagement and empowerment of today’s workforce, driving greater performance and innovation. But kicking this up a notch—by creating a greater sense of belonging for everyone in the organization—is even more important. Diversity is about the unique differences that people bring, which translates into corporate statistics—ensuring a more equitable […]
Gender Balance Required for True Innovation
A new Forbes article on “America’s Most Innovative Leaders 2019” has created an uproar—not because of who it put in the story, but for who it left out of it: women. The feature identified 100 innovators, 99 of whom were men. Only a single woman—Ross Stores’ CEO Barbara Rentler—made the list (near the bottom, at number 75). In response, a growing […]
The Link Between Relationships and Innovation
How much attention do you give to creating, developing, and maintaining professional relationships—in the context of today’s business environment? If you’re spending all of your time at your desk and shortchanging your networking skills, then you’re missing out on the strategic opportunity to build smart power by connecting with others through relationships. But if you’re […]
Listening: The Tool for Collaboration, Inclusion, and Innovation
How many times a day do you find yourself moving so fast, juggling back-to-back meetings and busy schedules, that you realize you haven’t heard something important? In this modern age of technology and distraction, it’s becoming more and more uncommon to truly pause and listen. In some ways, it isn’t our fault that we take […]
Innovation Is Key to Business Success—Yet Women Aren’t Perceived as Innovators
What number-one factor is behind a successful business? Research shows it’s innovation, and it has been for the past quarter of a century. BDC found that innovative activities have consistently remained the most important success determinant for companies, outranking all other factors including management, marketing, HR practices, and financing. Studies have also repeatedly shown that CEOs […]