McChrystal Group

The reality is your teams are likely executing on multiple projects at any given time. So how do they know which one should take priority? Or which one will have the most impact on the organization's bottom line or performance? We’ve seen this divide intensify when business units work on competing, siloed efforts rather than toward the collective goals of the organization. Only 52% of employees surveyed in our database say when their team is executing multiple projects, leadership articulates which one should take priority to support organizational objectives. That's where common purpose comes in. When done right, common purpose serves as the organizational "glue" that aligns and motivates high-caliber talent towards achieving extraordinary results. When every team member sees how their role creates collective impact in service of an inspirational purpose, it unlocks a powerful unity that propels an organization. Uncover the 7 essential principles for common purpose in this piece from Daniel Kenny, Ph.D.

What kind of Chief of Staff do you need? Before there was McChrystal Group, and before there was Team of Teams®, U.S. Army General Stan McChrystal was leading the fight against an elusive and deadly enemy—Al Qaeda in Iraq—in the mid-2000s. McChrystal Group’s Vice Chairman, Christopher Fussell, was his aide-de-camp, helping manage information flow and team collaboration. This role is similar to most organizations' chiefs of staff. The chief of staff role is a complicated beast. It requires a delicate balance of managing relationships, time, and the environment so an executive can drive the organization's short-, medium-, and long-term strategies. Chiefs are many things, but most importantly, they are an extension of the executive. When Chris navigated the role, it was clear from the outset that this wasn’t just another position. It was a pivotal moment where the relationship between a visionary leader and a dedicated aide redefined the function of a Chief of Staff. Chris was not just managing schedules or briefing books; he was deeply embedded in the strategic processes transforming how their Joint Special Operations Task Force operated. General McChrystal’s trust in Chris, born out of countless shared experiences in the heat of battle, laid the foundation for a powerful and adaptable chief of staff framework. Their collaboration emphasized the importance of empowered execution and the ability to act decisively under pressure—principles central to our Chief of Staff development today. Our Chief of Staff Framework isn’t just a theoretical model. It’s a battle-tested approach rooted in the very real challenges faced by General McChrystal and Chris during one of the most intense periods of modern military history. This framework is built on the lessons from Team of Teams® and One Mission on cultivating a Chief of Staff who is not only a strategic advisor but also a force multiplier for organizational leadership. As we continue to guide the next generation of leaders, we carry forward the legacy of this powerful partnership, helping organizations build Chiefs of Staff that are integral to their success. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or just stepping into the role, the question remains: What kind of Chief of Staff do you need? See how our tools and expertise can transform your chiefs of staff and, ultimately, your organization: https://lnkd.in/gAT92JXm

🏈 It's about time to kickoff your weekend, Leaders! We'll dive into the new #kickoff rules to prep for Week 2 of the National Football League (NFL) Preseason. Meanwhile, here are three insightful articles that every executive should read to close out Friday strong: 🔍 Mastering Red Teaming: Learn the art of asking “What if?” and uncover five critical lessons from the Joint Special Operations Command in red teaming, designed to challenge assumptions and enhance decision-making. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gFDB4Thn 💡 Leading Through Change: Uncover strategies to lead your organization through periods of significant transformation effectively. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ePMEjA6H 📊 Data-Driven Decision Making: Learn how leveraging data can enhance decision-making and improve organizational outcomes. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gD_DdGEC Want these and other powerful resources delivered to your inbox? Sign up for the "Leader's Journal" delivered to your email inbox every other Wednesday: https://lnkd.in/eJzknXus

It's time to prioritize internal meetings. In today's fast-paced business world, internal meetings are often overlooked, but they play a crucial role in team alignment and decision-making. This article dives into why prioritizing preparation for these meetings can significantly enhance their effectiveness, leading to better outcomes for your team: https://lnkd.in/guBTX5pz #EffectiveMeetings #McChrystalGroup #Preparation

Communicating Risk: Why Language Matters As leaders, how we talk about risk can profoundly impact how our teams understand and respond to it. The risk equation—Risk = Threat x Vulnerability—provides a powerful lens to assess the challenges we face. While threats may be beyond our control, we can make a difference by addressing vulnerabilities within our systems. Just like wearing a seatbelt reduces the risk of injury in a car, focusing on mitigating internal vulnerabilities helps us communicate and, inevitably, control the overall risk our organizations face. Clear and specific communication about risk is crucial. By breaking down complex concepts and focusing on what we can control, we can confidently lead our teams through uncertain environments. Learn more about the risk equation and effective risk assessment in this #WeeklyWhiteboard by Christopher Fussell: https://lnkd.in/er78GWzR #RiskManagement #Leadership #RiskEquation #RiskAssessment #OrganizationalResilience #McChrystalGroup

Where can you make the biggest impact as a leader? Our Immediate Opportunity Assessment is a powerful, no-cost tool designed to help leaders quickly identify where they can significantly impact their team's time and performance. Whether facing challenges or looking to optimize, this assessment is available for all teams to leverage: https://bit.ly/3DryeWV. However, recognizing opportunities is only the first step. “The 4 Secrets High-Performance Organizations Know About Teams” ensures your team can meet and exceed its goals. This playbook offers actionable strategies to address critical issues and propel your team to new heights: https://lnkd.in/ey44gRim. #Leadership #TeamPerformance #McChrystalGroup #HighPerformance 

With the #OlympicGames coming to a close this weekend, we want you to end the work week strong. The games showcased spectacular achievements and continue to remind us of the parallels between athletic and organizational excellence. At McChrystal Group, we pulled some resources all leaders should read as you cross the five-day finish line: 🏅 Technology in Athletics & Business - Just as cutting-edge analytics propel athletes to break records, our insights on AI leadership can help your business leverage tech for peak performance. Dive into how AI is transforming leadership: https://lnkd.in/etZsg5-C 🏀 Team Resilience On and Off the Court - The USA’s basketball comeback mirrors the resilience needed in corporate teams. Learn strategies to build resilient teams that overcome any business challenge: https://lnkd.in/ep6GZa5h 🥇 Engagement: From the Court to the Office - Novak Djokovic’s victory is a testament to passion and engagement, essential qualities that drive success. Discover how to elevate engagement to achieve exceptional outcomes: https://lnkd.in/grnB57Ws #Leadership #Teamwork #EmployeeEngagement #McChrystalGroup #Paris2024

Want our best resources delivered directly to you every other week, providing inspiration, leader development, team building materials, and case studies all in one place? Sign up for our Leader's Journal, packed with timely information and relevant resources for busy leaders: https://lnkd.in/es8AbHUT

“[My leaders] never hear me say something to them that is only for them to know,” said Jensen Huang, NVIDIA's CEO, at the 2024 SIEPR Economic Summit. “There’s not one piece of information that I somehow secretly tell the staff; I don’t tell the rest of the company.” In that way, our company was designed for agility, for information to flow as quickly as possible, for people to be empowered by what they are able to do, not what they know." Huang made the case for sharing knowledge beyond the traditional need-to-know model and perfectly described the benefits of information dissemination. What stops your organization from unlocking shared consciousness through consistent and transparent information sharing? https://lnkd.in/e4DaxZKu #Stanford #SharedConsciousness #SIEPR

Are you maximizing the digital potential of your organization? 🔋 Tap the full power of your organization's current capabilities through comprehensive digital optimization. 💻 Maximize the strategic impact of the digital touchpoints on your customers' journey. 👨🌾 Ensure your digital strategy can grow and adapt with the organization's needs. Your digital assets can accelerate the fulfillment of your organization's strategy if they are leveraged right. Learn how to do exactly that.