Michael Lee Stallard

Disconnection occurs when an acquiring company and the employees of its newly acquired company define excellence in different ways.  In this month’s Atlantic, Mark Bowden writes about this issue in an excellent article entitled “Mr. Murdoch Goes to War.” The article, as you might guess from its title, is about how Rupert Murdoch is altering The Wall Street Journal.

One of the three elements of a Connection Culture is Vision, which includes an organization’s mission, values and reputation.  Altering an organization’s identity is tricky business. This is especially true when the employees of an organization have a strong emotional connection to the organization’s identity.  In such situations employee engagement can decline and quality of execution along with it.  

This is a story I’ll be watching closely for possible inclusion in my next book. If you have any insights about changes at The Wall Street Journal, please post about them or email me at mstallard@epluribuspartners.com.   

A friend’s email just reminded me of Benjamin Franklin’s words to his fellow signers of the Declaration of Independence.  ”We must hang together, or we shall surely hang separately,” opined Franklin following the Continental Congress approval of the Declaration.  Franklin’s words conveyed a literal meaning in that signing the Declaration was treason according to King George III and therefore punishable by death.  Since that time, “hanging together” has kept America strong.   Adolf Hitler, Nikita Khruschev and, more recently, Osama bin Laden, proclaimed that America’s diverse ethnicities and creeds would result in disunity in the face of adversity.  They missed the real source of America’s unity. Read more »

Check out a wonderful column in today’s The New York Times written by one of my favorite journalists, Joe Nocera.  The column is entitled, “The Sinatra of Southwest Feels the Love.” In it Nocera contrasts the sober atmosphere at American Airlines annual meeting in Dallas this last Wednesday morning to the lovefest at Southwest Airlines annual meeting that commenced a couple hours later across town.  The article focuses on Southwest’s co-founder Herb Kelleher and his belief that treating your employees well provides a competitive edge.  Nocera shares his observations about Kelleher and explores other possible reasons for Southwest’s success.  Like everything Nocera writes, it’s an enjoyable read with thought-provoking observations and insight.   

Award-winning, veteran journalist William J. Holstein has written a little gem of a book filled with wise advice for CEOs about how to manage today’s media. Manage the Media is one of Harvard Business Press’s new “Memo to the CEO” series.  It’s a quick read and to the point which should be perfect for time-starved executives. I highly recommend it for CEOs, board members, members of senior management and anyone interested in media coverage of organizations.  Read more »

I recently recorded an interview with Wayne Turmel, host of the “Cranky Middle Manager Show” on The Podcast Network. Wayne is an interviewer extraordinaire.  His valuable insights and sense of humor always enliven and enlighten listeners (and guests) alike. Wayne and I had a great chat about Connection Cultures and how they increase employee engagement.  To listen to the interview, click here.  Also, be sure to check out the other 139 interviews Wayne has recorded since the Cranky Middle Manager show’s inception.  

Apple is on a roll. And so is its co-founder Steve Jobs. Why?

In a world of muted, bland corporate identities and product designs, Apple dares to take a stand. Its corporate visual identity, store design and product designs are inspiring. They move people on an emotional level when most products utterly fail to inspire. Who can forget the Think Different ads featuring iconic individuals such as Gandhi, Einstein and Picasso, the animated ads featuring U2 performing their hit song “Vertigo,” or the stunning design of the iPhone? When critics of the iPhone complained that Apple sacrificed battery functionality for design, I thought to myself, “what did they expect?” Steve Jobs has an off the charts passion for aesthetic beauty and excellence. Understanding this is key to decoding what Jobs and Apple are all about. It also helps explain why they’ve been extraordinarily successful.

Let’s begin by making it clear what Steve Jobs is not. Read more »

William J. Holstein, the well-respected business journalist who writes for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Business Week and other publications, described my new ebook on connection this way: ”For those of us who write about business, every once in a while, a book or an article comes along that seems so simple on some levels yet communicates great wisdom. “The Connection Culture: A New Source of Competitive Advantage” is one such work.”  

On his blog, Holstein invites readers of The Connection Culture to share their thoughts. Would you consider sharing your reaction by posting a comment on Holstein’s BNet blog entitled “The Corner Office?”

GUEST: Michael Stallard

TOPIC: What are you doing to make sure your employees are engaged? Michael Stallard joins Jim to talk about how to make our team members feel that they actually have an important stake in the direction of the business.

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The band U2 has had a phenomenal run since they came together in 1976. Critics rave over their music and fans can’t seem to get enough of their songs and concert appearances. All the signs indicate that U2 is at the top of its game and will be going strong for the foreseeable future.

Why has this particular band been together for more than 30 years when most other bands that experience success for a period of time eventually fall apart? Read more »

GUEST: Michael Stallard

TOPIC: How important is having a family spirit in your business? Michael Stallard talks with Jim Blasingame about how a family spirit culture in your business improves employee engagement and becomes contagious with customers, too.

Brought to you by The Small Business Advocate®