Cecilia Flombaum

Earlier this month, on June 11, we celebrated our 20th Anniversary at the Post-Industrial Institute. We were fortunate to have a great panel of guest speakers: Heather Jerrehian from ServiceNow, Dr. Mihir Parikh from Nishith Desai Associates, and Stefan Petzov from Swisscom, expertly moderated by Alison McCauley of Unblocked Future. The panel provided fascinating snapshots of how the enterprise is being reinvented from the inside out. Dr. Suresh Sunderrajan, SRI's President of Commercialization, provided welcoming remarks. We are grateful to have SRI as a supportive partner. Yours truly gave a talk attempting to summarize what we have learned in our quest to reinvent management science and support leaders building the organizations of the future. It was really an impossible task. Over the past 20 years, we have covered organizational design and transformation from A-Z, in theory and in practice. Our early work on the modernization of management practices for knowledge work, our predictions about the impact of decentralization and AI, it has all come to pass. Of course, for AI it's still early days, and decentralization of manufacturing and agriculture is also in an early stage. But it's coming. So what's next? In our upcoming Post-Industrial Summit 2024 FALL, on November 5-6, we will be focusing Super-Productivity and AI Agents. We will be looking at the revolutionary impact of AI on work and careers, and we'll examine other aspects of work as well. AI will make people MORE important, not less. Enterprises are not as well prepared as they should be. The Summit will again be hosted by SRI in Menlo Park. Mark your calendars, we'll provide more details soon. Have a great weekend, everyone!

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In virtual events, engagement isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity for meaningful interaction and learning. Yet, important questions often get lost in the shuffle, leaving voices unheard. Microsoft Teams is tackling this issue with new enhancements to their Q&A feature: • Voting empowers attendees to upvote questions that matter most to them, ensuring critical topics rise to the top. • Sorting by votes or activity helps everyone focus on what’s most relevant, making discussions more democratic and efficient. • Archiving allows organizers to set aside outdated or off-topic questions, keeping the conversation clear and productive. If you want to enhance engagement in your webinars, town halls, or training sessions, these updates are worth exploring. Learn more here: https://aka.ms/GetQnA

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Inspired by Mother's Day, here are six guiding principles to sustain your #Leadership journey, akin to the nurturing approach of a #Mother 🙌

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𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰: 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽, 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲 As I look back on these past twelve months, I see a year that pushed me 💪, taught me 📚, and shaped me in ways I didn’t expect. It was a year of challenges that demanded focus and resilience but also one of progress and purpose. This year, I leaned on a few core principles: ✔️ 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁: Every conversation mattered. Each decision required clarity and purpose. Communication was the foundation for trust and progress. ✔️ 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲: Leadership meant showing up when it counted, taking responsibility, and building confidence in others. This year reminded me that meaningful progress happens through consistent action. ✔️ 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗩𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀: Helping servicemembers transition from military to civilian life remained at the heart of my mission. Every opportunity to guide someone toward their next step reinforced the importance of preparation and purpose. ✔️ 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: Adversity revealed opportunity. Each challenge strengthened my focus and resolve, proving that growth comes through persistence and adaptability. 2024 showed me that progress is the result of consistent effort and a clear sense of direction. It reminded me that staying steady, even when things get tough, is what truly leads to growth. As we close out the year, I want to thank my network for your support, inspiration, and connection. Wishing you and your families a safe, healthy, and successful New Year 🎉. What lessons will you take into 2025? #Reflection #Leadership #Resilience #MissionToCommission

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Are we handicapping our organization’s and employee’s futures? The Microsoft LinkedIn Work Trend Index reveals concerning statistics - "68% of people struggle with the pace and volume of work, and 46% feel burned out." My team's research suggests that agility, flexibility, and AI adoption might be at risk due to worker change paralysis, leading to change fatigue and chronic cognitive dissonance. Employee capabilities to absorb change have lessened amidst major work disruptions like Flexwork and AI. To address this, we must change the way we change! Are you witnessing change impairment and cognitive overload in your organization? Share your strategies for enabling better change adoption. #worktrendindex #futureofwork #agility #flexibility #ai #changeparalysis #changingchange Read more: https://lnkd.in/eiyFQhm8

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Irrespective of where we are in our career, chances are that we are still working and trying to figure out a way to build influence without having any formal authority among our peers, leaders and those whom we lead (or intend to). I was recently asked this question about how I work on building influence when I don't have any formal authority and this is how I responded. L: Listening without having a personal agenda I: Be Influenced or give influence to build influence E: Build Expertise We also discussed how to build influence in a hybrid work environment and across cultures and generations as well. If you find this interesting, you can listen to the entire conversation @ https://lnkd.in/gfg6Q88J. #Influence #Leadership #Expertise #LIE #Listen #Empathy

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As I reflect on my time as the Vice President of Education (VPE) at Karen Toastmasters, which wrapped up on June 30, 2024, I can't help but feel grateful for a journey that exceeded all my initial expectations.   During my tenure, I undertook several pivotal responsibilities:   1. Orchestrating Meetings and Training New Members As VPE, I coordinated our bi-weekly meetings on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, all while offering guidance and training to incoming members. It was incredibly fulfilling to witness their growth, from nervous members delivering their Ice Breaker speech to becoming confident speakers.   2. Mentorship Being at the heart of mentorship, I paired up new members with seasoned Toastmasters, fostering deep, meaningful relationships built on encouragement and feedback. This initiative significantly elevated the quality of speeches at Karen TM and strengthened the bond between mentor and protege. It was truly heartwarming 😊 to see the pride in mentors when their proteges received the Better Speaker award.   3. Navigating Challenges and Embracing Resilience While not without its challenges, including last-minute cancellations, my role allowed me to cultivate resilience. Handling the diverse personalities within and outside Karen Toastmasters with grace and empathy allowed me to tackle these challenges adeptly, embracing each member's unique journey.   4. The Speakerthon One of the standout events was the successful execution of a Speakerthon, thanks to Carol W., where eight speakers were scheduled to deliver their speeches. Despite adverse weather conditions leading to some last-minute cancellations, the spirit of Toastmasters prevailed. The meeting showcased Toastmasters member's commitment and punctuality.   5. Collaboration and Leadership Joining forces with fellow VPEs from District 114 Toastmasters provided a platform for exchanging successes and challenges. My interactions with other VPEs weren’t limited to formal meetings. We formed a WhatsApp group called 'VPE Chronicles,' a space for sharing resources, encouragement, and sometimes, just a good laugh over the quirks of our roles. I also experienced tremendous support from fellow Exco Club Members, led by our President Lena Muturi (Immediate Past President -IPP) and Club Founding President and my mentor Arether Wanjiru   6. Personal Growth and Future Aspirations My tenure spurred unforeseen personal growth. It equipped me with networking skills and nurtured my mentorship skills. The role encouraged continuous learning and self-improvement, which ignited a lifelong passion for personal and professional growth. It also ignited a passion for leadership and strategy, which has become crucial to my life.   Looking back over the past year, I am reminded that Karen Toastmasters is more than just a club; it represents a collective journey marked by mutual support throughout every speech, role, and challenge. Here's to another year of Fun, Fresh, and Focused meetings.

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The Gratitude Habit has been my source of strengths at Microsoft and beyond. Early on in my career, I learned that gratitude was one of the most science-backed practices for health and happiness. But I practiced it wrong. I remember thinking of things I 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 be grateful for. I would think of 3 things that I should be grateful for, and be done. But that whole point is to change how you feel. Eventually, I learned to feel my way through it. Later, I learned from Tony Robbins that you can't feel fear and anger when you're feeling grateful. Now, THAT'S a powerful way to start your day! So, what I do now is start my day by feeling 3 things I'm grateful for. It changes how I start my day. It especially helps if I have heavy lifting to do or something I might be worried about. It's pretty instant, too. And, it's like a muscle.  When you practice it, you grow it stronger. The other beautiful thing about gratitude is that it helps with sleep, too. Again, the habit is simple:  think and feel of 3 things you're grateful for. The most important thing I can say about gratitude is: Don't start your day without it. #personaldevelopment #productivity #wellness  

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While I do agree that cultural transformation is important, what’s equally as important is preserving the best aspects of the already existing culture. It’s all about maintaining the right balance between adapting to new challenges and holding on to the foundational elements that have driven an organization’s success. Some strategies to retain the best aspects of a company’s culture are: 1. Clarify the desired cultural elements: Identify which parts of the culture are valuable and take meaningful steps to maintain these aspects. 2. Listen to employee concerns: Pay close attention to employee feedback and comments, especially when it’s about how the changes might affect the expression of the company’s values. 3. Recognize when you’re being nostalgic: Ensure that the elements you’re preserving aren’t just based on nostalgia but also align with company strategy. 4. Use data to monitor culture: Regularly conduct culture assessments, such as tailored surveys, to gather evidence on the lived experiences of employees. #culturaltransformation #culture #EX

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Leadership is also about turning adversaries into allies. Laura Huang & Ryan Yu discuss strategies for leaders to persuade detractors who disagree with their decisions. They identified three approaches: Cognitive Conversations, which focus on logical arguments to address objective objections; Champion Conversion, where leaders build rapport and understanding to win over personal grievances; and the Credible Colleague Approach, where a third-party advocate with influence supports the leader’s stance. Each method depends on diagnosing the root cause of resistance and tailoring the strategy to the situation. Authenticity, sound logic, and careful navigation of relationships are essential to gaining support and changing minds effectively. What approaches have you taken to turn around an adversarial situation, I would love to hear the same. #adversary2ally

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This was a great reminder that enabling directional change requires we help people see around corners. What you would add to these motivators? How have you broadened peoples' perspective on pursuing continued development? I'd love to know your thoughts. (Psst...this was only a 2 min. read) #fuel50 #talentdevelopment #changemanagement #WIIFM

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🚨 100th Episode of the Positive Leadership Podcast now on YouTube 🚨 I'm thrilled to share a milestone episode featuring Jeff Raikes, a mentor who has had a profound influence on both my career and personal growth. From his impactful leadership at Microsoft to his transformative work at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Raikes Foundation, Jeff’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. In this episode, we dive deep into the leadership principles that guided his career and discuss his continued dedication to making a difference in youth development, education, and addressing homelessness. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in the power of leadership, giving back, and creating lasting change in the world. 🎧 Watch the full episode on YouTube now: https://lnkd.in/g8_GCbpQ #PositiveLeadership #Leadership #Philanthropy #JeffRaikes #GivingBack #Microsoft #ChangeMakers #LeadershipJourney #Podcast Microsoft Alumni Network Microsoft Employee

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Nice article w/ 3 simple strategy tips... 1) Understand What it Means in Your Industry... Frameworks can be generic... Think in the context of your domain... 2) ID Disrupters... Nascent competitors are an easy-to-overlook source... 3) Break Through Communication... To more execs... to enable "good enough" grasp of the issues https://lnkd.in/gaFQNN95

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Truly inclusive environments goes beyond simply having a diverse team, but inclusivity is different from diversity - it requires every voice to be heard and valued in the decision-making process. In other words, it’s the ‘how’ of DEI. Leaders need to involve teams in business processes and this can be done by becoming an expert listener. When leaders make a point to listen to and welcome different perspectives, employees will become more excited about sharing their ideas as they know how much their voice matters to the organization. #DEI #inclusion #diversity

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Leadership accountability is crucial for fostering commitment and creating a high-accountability culture. Building a community of leaders through accountability involves ensuring individuals understand and fulfill their responsibilities. Learn more about this insightful perspective on leadership from @DanPontefract in his Forbes article: https://lnkd.in/gk2Tx9tX

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It’s on the organisation, not just the individual, to create an environment that supports resilience. Resilience is often seen as a gift for individuals to cultivate. We admire those who can bounce back from adversities, adapt to change, and emerge stronger on the other side. However, resilience is a collective effort that organisations must prioritise and support systemically. Resilience doesn't just happen in a vacuum. It is shaped and nurtured by the environments we exist within. An individual can possess an extraordinarily resilient spirit, but if the surrounding system is rife with unsustainable demands, uncertainty and toxic attitudes, even the most resilient will eventually feel depleted. That's why organisations carry such a profound responsibility in creating ecosystems that are warm and kind. Who prioritize mental health just as much as productivity targets. And who offer the space to occasionally slow down, replenish, and reset. #mentalhealth #leadership #kindness

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