Boston Business Group

2012 Membership is Open!

Becky Blackler — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:14:23 +0000

An investment in the CXO Leadership Institute is an investment in leadership that works. Check out our new 2012 membership opportunities that are open now!

What’s Your Worth as a CEO?

Becky Blackler — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:33:51 +0000

Join us in January 2012 as we welcome Jack Connell, Managing Director of Connell & Partners, as we discuss executive compensation trends in 2012 and beyond.

In December – Got Trust?

Becky Blackler — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:03:22 +0000

Join us on Thursday, December 15th as Phillip C. Thomas, Founder and CEO of the CXO Leadership Institute, presents 13 character traits critical to establishing trust in leadership.

Who Do You Trust?

admin — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 21:30:52 +0000

Do People Trust Your Company?

Do You Trust Your Boss?

Do People Trust You?

Do You Trust You?

Trust is an interesting word. Unlike many words in everyday use, Trust is one of those words that often means different things to different people – it resonates and is carefully used by some, while with others it is taken for granted and simplistically thrown around. Some people will say “Trust me – I know what I am talking about” or “Oh, I Trust you”…when in reality, there is no actual basis for such Trust – it just “sounds good” to say things like that.

In reality, Trust is one of the most important words in our vocabulary. It is a foundational concept that binds all people together. It is primal while at the same time contemporary. Trust is core to our inner being, at the center of our most important personal relationships, extends to our business associations, is a key definer in market perceptions of our company and its products and services, and even extends into mankind and society in general. Trust is probably the most important 5 letter word in our modern day dictionary.

There is an interesting website that I check out every once in a while – the Edelman Trust index found at www.edelman.com. This group tracks trust levels in an array of categories, domestically and internationally. One of its most recent findings, as noted on their website, is that in 2011 the US was the only major country in which trust declined in all four major categories studied: Business, Government, Media, and NGO’s (this website has a number of other interesting elements and I recommend it for each person reading this blog). But, a thinking person has to wonder why is Trust declining in America and why does the world not Trust America?

From my perspective, it starts at the individual, expands to our closest relationships, encompasses our business and social associations, rolls into our businesses and how we treat employees and customers, and then to our personal and corporate dealings with society as a whole (“profit with purpose” as Edelman refers to it). There is much to consider in discussing Trust, and I cannot even begin to engage on the topic here. However, please note that the main purpose of the CXO Leadership Institute is to work at the personal and corporate levels to help people to learn and focus on Trust – and the 13 key behaviors around Trust, while enhancing their abilities to lead through greater trust.

Once that is accomplished, it then becomes incumbent on those individuals to distill those behaviors into those around them – at home, at work, in the marketplace and in everyday society. Stephen M.R. Covey has an outstanding book/website on this topic. I know Stephen and revere his work – so much so that in December, our monthly leadership discussion session will be all about Trust.

You won’t want to miss it – trust me.

CEO Branding – It’s All About the Story You Tell

admin — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:51:18 +0000

Think about the CEOs that come to mind. They have a great brand, right? Steve Jobs. Mark Zuckerburg. Their names are synonymous with their company names and respective brands, as well as their personal brand. A large part of their success is having a clear understanding of what defines success in their business, which is actually a reflection of their own values. Being true to their values, and selling value through storytelling is the message behind Suzanne Bates new book Discover Your CEO Brand. CXO Leadership Institute recently hosted a discussion led by Suzanne with an audience of CEOs on October 25, 2011.

Suzanne Bates, who you might recognize as the bestselling author of Speak Like A CEO, works closely with business leaders to get better results through improved communications. She shared CEO stories that create an emotional connection with audiences, including employees, partners, customers and prospects. “Sharing your values by telling your story makes a connection, and people want to do business with someone they’ve made a connection with,” stated Suzanne during the discussion. “Drawing in your audience through storytelling is compelling and engaging.” CEOs that apply this approach “define the very DNA of their organizations”, as she refers to in her new book on CEO Branding. Jack Welch. Oprah Winfrey. Walt Disney. Mary Kay Ash. Lou Gerstner. Katherine Graham. Their personal beliefs and values shaped the vision, future, and legacy of their organizations.

Learn more about how you can drive economic growth in your company by having a consistent, clear CEO Brand, and the tools to share your story by reading Suzanne Bates new book Discover Your CEO Brand and visiting her website at www.bates-communications.com.

Join CXO Leadership Institute for our next CEO Conversation with Benjamin Nye, Managing Director of Bain Capital Ventures “From the Investor, Leadership is Everything” on November 16^th at The Offices of Foley Hoag, Boston MA.