Tom’s 8 Predictions for 2021
Strategic planning is so much easier when we can make some decently good predictions about what will happen. That’s why 2020 was so difficult to plan because EVERYTHING seemed so unpredictable. Just when an organization would sign off on a plan, something in the world would change, and the plan would be deemed useless. We […]
Until everyone feels welcomed, connected, and engaged…
Building a Culture of Connection within a team/organization/community means that everyone within that community feels welcomed, connected, and engaged. The benefits of this type of culture are overwhelmingly positive: – Neighborhood crime goes down – Employee retention/productivity goes up – Individuals experience better physical health The research goes on and on about the value of […]
The Staggering Results of Successful Employee Engagement
As Terri walked into work, the front desk receptionist greeted her with his typical morning smile. Then, while Terri waited by the elevator to go up to her office, he also added, “Congratulations on your son graduating from college this past weekend! I know how much it means to you to have him graduate.” Terri […]
Swift Kick’s 3 Steps To Creating A Culture Of Connection
A core value of Facebook is “Move Fast.” “Moving fast enables us to build more things and learn faster. We’re less afraid of making mistakes than we are of losing opportunities by moving too slowly. We are a culture of builders, the power is in your hands.” A core value of Apple is “Saying No.” […]
Applications of Culture: Lessons From a College Student at the End of the Swift Kick Internship
It’s time. My Swift Kick internship journey has come to an end. This was a 6-month endeavor that involved the challenging and informative processes of how a small company in New York can have such an impact on the culture of so many communities. Here is what I learned, how I used it, and what […]
Gatekeepers of Culture: You Have More Influence Than You Think
Sometimes, I feel a little like a Disney princess. Let me explain. The SKHQ office is located in a building in the financial district of Manhattan, on the 20th floor. Every morning I sweep in, juggling my coffee, my phone, whatever book I am reading, and the rest of my life in my backpack. Good […]
What a Swedish Town Can Teach Us About Guiding Teams Through Stressful Situations
How would you react if you were told that your entire town had to relocate to an entirely new spot, two miles away? I’m talking buildings, homes, people, lives – boom, packing up and moving down the road. This is exactly what the residents of Kiruna, Sweden were told one day. Naturally, they were a […]
Bu-Bye 2017 Hu-Low 2018: An Inside Look at the Future of Swift Kick
After 96 programs, 230,000 miles, and countless hugs given, the Swift Kick team is calling it a wrap on 2017. In 2004, I started Swift Kick with the goal of making it a world-class leadership training company. Nothing about the past 13 years has been smooth sailing. But 2017 was our best year ever – […]