Goff Strategic Leadership Center

Discover how Goff is revolutionizing higher education! Dive into our latest Friends of Goff article for ways to workshop your strategic challenges and cutting-edge research that is shaping the future of leadership. Follow us on LinkedIn and read the full article for a closer look at how we're creating value for our community.

Which meeting would you rather be in? We often see presentations or meeting agendas begin with a static “table of contents” or “outline.” Limiting ourselves to describing what we will cover hinders audience involvement and diminishes the overall impact and intent of the meeting. When drafting your agenda, consider your audience’s or team members’ roles in the meeting. What do you need from them? Set the expectation at the top of the meeting, and allocate time to meet your objectives. Use this tip in your upcoming meetings, and make the most of your team’s time! Ruchi Watson, EdD, MBA, Maya J., Stephanie G. Baugh, University of Utah - David Eccles School of Business, Eccles Alumni

Today is the day! Presidential Professors of Strategic Management, Jay Barney and Todd Zenger (also Goff Academic Director), are hosting the third ever Strategy Summit. Previous summits, held in 1977 and 1990, significantly influenced how researchers and practitioners think about and discuss strategy - leading to landmark advances in the field. Goff is proud to sponsor this impactful event, which brings together world-class researchers from around the world. View the Summit’s livestream here: https://lnkd.in/g8btd8Cq University of Utah, University of Utah - David Eccles School of Business, Ruchi Watson, EdD, MBA, Allison Boxer, Ed.D., MBA, Strategy Science, Jason Snyder, Bill Hesterly, Matt Higgins, Jen Brown

Are you prepared to tackle your organization's strategic challenges? Read our recent edition of the Friends of Goff newsletter and learn more about: + A recent Goff Lab experience on building a strategic mindset + Exciting new research by Goff-affiliated faculty  + A white paper on AI co-authored by Goff students and the Korn Ferry Institute    Subscribe to our newsletter and follow Goff for more updates and practical tips on becoming a strategic leader.    CHG Healthcare, Beth Wilkins, Ph.D., Jeff Freeman, Leslie Snavely (she/her), Todd Zenger, Jay Barney, Chloe Carr, Korn Ferry, Carter McDaniels, Josh Garff, Francisco Meza, Ben Ludlow, Chase Parry, Isaac Denison, Bonita Austin, Ruchi Watson, EdD, MBA, Maya J., Stephanie G. Baugh, Sydney Smith, University of Utah - David Eccles School of Business, Amelia Haynes

It's always inspiring to see our Grads putting Goff ideas into action in their professional journeys (what we often refer to as Applying the Goff Lens). Chloe Carr, a Goff Grad working as a Communication Specialist at the Korn Ferry Institute, recently spoke on a panel about the 5 Rules Worth Breaking at Work. As an early careerist, Chloe draws on what she learned during her time with Goff, emphasizing the importance of being a strategic leader at every level: “We can create and add value at any level of an organization. Don’t leave it to the people who you perceive as experts...” Scroll to 24:55 to hear how Chloe applies the Goff Lens at work. Korn Ferry, Eccles Alumni, University of Utah, Ruchi Watson, EdD, MBA, Stephanie G. Baugh, Maya J., Sydney Smith

We believe that strategic leaders exist at ALL levels of an organization. Regardless of your role, practice thinking big, getting creative, and aligning yourself with the priorities of your organization. This will not only lead to greater job satisfaction, but it’s also FUN! Ruchi Watson, EdD, MBA, Maya J., Stephanie G. Baugh, Sydney Smith, University of Utah - David Eccles School of Business, Eccles Alumni

What is the theory of YOUR firm? To learn more about corporate theories like Disney’s, and why they matter, check out Goff Academic Director, Todd Zenger's Harvard Business Review article. In it, “Zenger argues that managers’ most vexing strategic challenge is not how to win or sustain competitive advantage but, rather, how to keep creating value.” Link: https://lnkd.in/gJzfzmau University of Utah - David Eccles School of Business, Ruchi Watson, EdD, MBA, Eccles Alumni, University of Utah

At Goff, we emphasize the importance of personal ownership in creating value for your organization -- a fancy way for saying: align your strengths with the needs of your organization, and be proactive in taking action for the collective good. By doing so, you will find greater satisfaction in your job and will open doors for advancement. Stephanie G. Baugh, Sean McKelvie, Maya J., Ruchi Watson, EdD, MBA, University of Utah - David Eccles School of Business, University of Utah, Eccles Alumni

Einstein said it first...but, we teach you how to do it. Follow us, and reach out to learn more. Ruchi Watson, EdD, MBA, University of Utah - David Eccles School of Business, Todd Zenger, Eccles Alumni, University of Utah

At Goff, we often emphasize the importance of understanding the value of your organization to better contribute to its success. Here are six actionable tips you can take today: 1. Research the History of Your Organization: Understanding the company's journey, its foundational values, key milestones, and significant achievements can provide a solid context for its current strategic direction and culture. 2. Engage in Strategic Conversations: Proactively seek opportunities to listen in on or participate in meetings and discussions related to your division or the broader organization's strategy. This can be achieved by expressing interest to your manager or joining cross-functional teams. 3. Google Public Financial Information: For publicly traded companies, examining financial statements and investor reports (available through resources like the SEC's EDGAR database) can provide a clear picture of the company's financial landscape and how the company’s value is perceived by investors. 4. Understand Organizational Priorities and Challenges: Identify and familiarize yourself with the current priorities and strategic goals of your organization. Additionally, understand the primary challenges and roadblocks that the company faces in achieving these goals. 5. Stay Informed About Industry Trends: Being knowledgeable of industry trends and competitor activities can provide context for your company's strategic decisions and innovations. This can be done via industry associations or general news outlets. If there’s a regular newsletter, subscribe! 6. Participate in Employee Engagement Initiatives: Engage in company-wide initiatives, town halls, and meetings where strategic updates and organizational achievements are shared. This will help you build your network and provide an overview of the company’s direction. Want more tips like this? Follow Goff and reach out to join us in the Goff Lab to workshop your strategy. Ruchi Watson, EdD, MBA, Todd Zenger, University of Utah - David Eccles School of Business, University of Utah, Eccles Alumni, Harvard Business Review