The Culture+ Blog

The more I think about it, the more sense it makes. Big structural problems at work cannot be solved with bolt-on solutions. What does that mean? Let's look at the problem of finding and retaining superstar talent. Right now we have a big structural problem in the job...

Last night the cashier at Dairy Queen left us standing at the counter for several minutes, took our order wrong (it was only Blizzards!), and needed help counting up 99 cents in change (literally, from a coworker). Today, at a Starbucks I have never been to, the team...

One point from the book stood out more than the others. I gave a mental high five to the author. This idea was good. It wasn't good because it was new, novel, or counterintuitive, but because the seedling idea landed in fertile mental soil. Ready for it? Limit your...

It's not that he wasn't listening. He was still in the room and his head was still pointed in my general direction. The problem was that he left the conversation.  I am certain this has happened to you. You are talking with someone and you can feel their energy and...

"Instead of authority, millennials value authenticity. Instead of clout, they value courage and transparency." This is from an Inc. article today about the 3 reasons why MBA program applications are declining. The above quote was under a subheading titled "the new...

The man was presenting something like a top-ten list of lessons learned. I think it was 10 lessons, but I don't really know. It might have been 7 lessons, or 12 lessons. It was a breakout session and the speaker oozed nervousness. Sometimes the "tell" of nervousness...

"I think this something we might want to take another look at." During our long meeting certain words kept getting repeated. "Maybe," "I think," "probably," "potentially," "perhaps," "might," etc. Once I became aware of these words, my ear couldn't help but hear them....

Do you want to build a real team? Stop placing ads. I used to place ads. I won't anymore. When a position opens up, you won't be able to apply for it. I don't want to sift through resumes and read cover letters. I don't want to meet you for the first time when we are...

I get bank flyers in the mail every so often. "Open an account here and we will give you $100." For really only a few minutes worth of work, I could be $100 richer!  I never take them up on the offer. Why? It's the same reason I wouldn't consider laterally switching...

"No. You don't understand. It's a masters degree. It will make you so much more employable." The old man who didn't appear to be purchasing anything was making his case to the young woman behind the counter. She didn't appear to be buying it. I moved closer so I could...

Here's what I want to better understand during an interview: Are we aligned?  Your experience is fine. Wherever you went to college is fine. Your references are (probably) fine. Your skills are fine. All of that is fine because you made it into this room.  Now, my job...