Forward Thinking
Welcome to Forward Thinking, where we explore the ideas, insights, and strategies shaping the future of leadership, organizational change, and culture. This is where we share what we’re learning in the field—what’s working, what’s shifting, and what leaders need to be paying attention to. Grounded in practice and informed by research, our posts are designed to help you think more critically, act more intentionally, and lead more effectively in times of change.
Using the Leadership Versatility Index (LVI) to Enhance Your Leadership Brand
That gap between intention and impact is where your leadership brand actually lives. This post introduces the Leadership Versatility Index (LVI)—a powerful tool that helps leaders reconcile what they mean with what others hear, enabling them to make informed adjustments rooted in alignment, not performance.
AI for Doers: Automate the Busywork, Not the Thinking
AI isn't just for the tech team or the C-suite. This post is for the "doers" - the professionals who need to automate the busywork without outsourcing their thinking. Learn how to use AI as a strategic sidekick to reclaim your focus and drive your best work.
Designing Intentional Offsites
An offsite isn't just a meeting with better snacks. It's a powerful opportunity for your team to step out of the day-to-day rhythm and reset, reconnect, and realign. This post offers a glimpse into our framework for creating a truly purposeful team gathering.
Leading a Meeting Revolution: Cultivating a Healthy Meeting Culture in Your Organization
Bad meetings drain energy and time. Good meetings drive success. But why is the gap between the two so wide? This post introduces the "3 C’s" framework for leading a Meeting Revolution, offering practical insights on Cadence, Content, and Culture to transform how your organization collaborates.
Why “Change Starts Here” Is More Than a Tagline
Most transformation doesn’t happen overnight. It starts with someone willing to say, “This could be better.” Our founder shares the story behind our tagline, "Change Starts Here," and explains why every meaningful shift requires intentionality—not a cookie-cutter approach.
Working Across Time Zones Without Losing Your Momentum
Working on a distributed team means mastering the mental gymnastics of scheduling and the art of asynchronous collaboration. This post offers a guide to navigating the challenges of time zones with the right mindset, a few good tools, and a healthy dose of humor.
Fun at Work is Serious Business
I take fun very seriously. This post argues that authentic fun isn't frivolous; it’s an essential, intentional practice that fosters a healthy, resilient, and connected workplace. We explore different types of fun and how to cultivate them as a strategic leader.
Thinking Out Loud with AI (Using AI as a Thought Partner)
Leadership demands decisive yet evolving thought, but where do you go with raw, incomplete ideas? Discover how leaders are making a quiet shift: treating AI as a nonjudgmental thought partner to prototype strategy, test communication, clarify complexity, and accelerate their thinking process.
What Even Is a Research Associate? (And Why We Love Ours)
Titles can be tricky, but our "Research & Insights Associate" role is anything but vague. This post dives into what these vital team members really do: from detective work and data analysis to storytelling and translating complexity into clarity, powering our human-centered strategies.
Rethinking Team Dynamics with Personality Insights
Personality assessments are more than just a fun exercise - they're a powerful tool to overcome the fundamental attribution error, our tendency to misinterpret others' behaviors. Learn how these insights foster empathy, reduce friction, and build stronger, more understanding teams.
“No Surprises” Isn’t a Strategy: How Leaders Can Be More Clear Without Micromanaging
The phrase "I don’t like surprises" is common in leadership, but it often creates more problems than it solves. This post explores why vague expectations lead to stress and miscommunication, offering actionable strategies for leaders to create clear communication pathways that empower teams and build trust.
Real Talk on Remote Work
Remote work is here to stay, but it's not all sweatpants and smooth sailing! We're sharing our real-world lessons on how to truly succeed in a distributed environment – from building intentional routines and layered communication to fostering team connection and effective onboarding.
So, You Thought Summer Was Your "Off" Season? A Hilariously Relatable Guide to Actually Using It Well
Summer might not be the break it appears to be—especially in higher ed. This post is your refreshingly honest (and funny) guide to navigating the season. We’ll help you find the right balance between strategic projects, team connection, and real rest.
Managing Up Is a Bridge Worth Building
“Managing up” gets a bad rap—but it’s a critical leadership skill. This post explores how to clarify, translate, and challenge upward with intention, so you can lead across and up the org chart with confidence (not flattery).
What’s in Our Tech Stack (and Why it Actually Works)
As a fully remote team, the tools we use are more than just software – they're the backbone of our operations. In this post, we share a peek into our carefully chosen tech stack, explaining why each tool earns its place and offering practical tips you can apply to your own workflow.
Mission, Vision, Values: Time for a Tune-Up?
Many organizations are charging ahead with big goals—but still clinging to outdated mission, vision, and values (MVV) statements. In this post, we explore when and how to refresh your MVV so it actually supports your strategy and aligns your team.
Escaping the Tactical Trap: Getting Out of the Weeds and Back into Leadership
Being busy doesn’t always mean you’re leading. In this blog, we explore the tactical trap—how high-achieving leaders get stuck in execution, why it feels satisfying, and how to shift back into intentional, strategic leadership. Includes five steps to get out of the weeds and lead with clarity.
Plan Now for a Successful Summer Retreat
Thinking about a summer retreat for your team? Don’t wait until vacation season to start planning! From setting a clear purpose to nailing logistics, we’re sharing expert insights on designing a retreat that’s actually impactful—not just another meeting in a different location. Read our latest blog to learn how to make your retreat a success.
Building Capacity for Change Through Roleplay
Discover how immersive roleplay empowers teams to navigate change with empathy and resilience. Learn actionable strategies to transform your organization’s approach to change management.
Using the Enneagram at Work: A Powerful Tool for Self-Understanding and Team Dynamics
Explore how the Enneagram can transform workplace dynamics by uncovering core motivations and improving communication. Gain actionable insights and discover expert strategies from transform.forward to build a more cohesive team.