McChrystal Group

Trust is the ultimate competitive advantage—but in today’s world, it’s harder to earn than ever. Disinformation. Isolation. Broken institutions. Siloed teams. Mistrust isn’t just a cultural issue—it’s an operational risk. And if leaders don’t actively counteract it, their organizations will grind to a halt. The solution? A deliberate, data-backed approach to trust-building at the team level. We'll unpack the three key elements of trust—benevolence, competence, and reliability—and reveal practical ways to strengthen them across your organization in next week's Leader's Journal. 🔑 Why do 74% of employees feel other teams don’t articulate how their actions impact them? 🔑 How can leaders turn competition into collaboration—without losing their edge? 🔑 What’s the single biggest mistake teams make when trying to prove their competence? Subscribers to The Leader’s Journal get early access every other Wednesday. Be the first to read it. Subscribe here: https://lnkd.in/erN5aipa. Because in a world of skepticism, the organizations that earn trust will win.

Crisis demands clarity. Execution requires coordination. In this week's Wednesday Weekly Whiteboard, Tim Lynch discusses the Leading through Crisis framework, a model designed to help leaders navigate uncertainty with confidence. Prioritizing what matters most helps leaders focus on the right actions at the right time. Simple rules eliminate complexity, making decisions more straightforward and more effective. A 360-degree communication approach ensures real-time insights from the ground up, reducing blind spots and improving response speed. Empowered execution aligns teams, strengthens accountability, and drives coordinated action. During high-stakes moments, leaders must do more than react—they must anticipate, communicate, and execute with precision. Watch the full video at https://lnkd.in/ebKwyGK4. #MGWeeklyWhiteboard #WeeklyWhiteboard #McChrystalGroup #CrisisLeadership

Behind many great leaders is a powerful prioritizer—the Executive Assistant (EA). These unsung heroes masterfully juggle competing demands and ensure what matters gets done. We see a striking parallel between the role of EAs and effective leadership. Leaders face an overwhelming influx of requests daily, but what sets great leaders apart is their ability to cut through the noise, prioritize effectively, and empower their teams to execute with clarity and purpose. In "Prioritization Powerhouse: What Executive Assistants Can Teach Leaders," Danielle Tenconi explores how leaders can adopt the mindset and strategies of EAs to stay focused on what truly drives success. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eEexRjku #Leadership #Prioritization #ExecutiveAssistant #McChrystalGroup

The public sector faces a critical challenge: attracting and retaining top talent while navigating a rapidly evolving landscape. The solutions lie at the intersection of innovative technology, efficient operations, and empowered leadership. During our recent roundtable with leaders from the Office of Personnel Management and our partners at Intact Technology, we explored actionable strategies to address the workforce crisis head-on. A recurring theme was the urgent need for tools and approaches that prioritize both people and processes. Effectively integrated technology can serve as an enabler, but leadership remains the critical driver of success. From optimizing workflows with collaborative platforms to creating cultures that empower teams, the combination of digital transformation and adaptive leadership can shift the trajectory of any government agency. Cross-functional collaboration and transparent decision-making are vital to attract and retain the next generation of public servants. Leaders must go beyond system modernization to instill trust, foster purpose, and build resilient organizations prepared for an uncertain future. The stakes couldn’t be higher, but the solutions are within reach. The right combination of technology and leadership can create government workplaces that inspire innovation, reduce turnover, and improve outcomes for our Nation and communities. Watch the full roundtable and discover how your organization can lead the way: https://lnkd.in/e5budc9D. #TalentManagementFramework #TechEnableTalent #TalentManagement

Before You Bundle Up and Head Out Into the Cold… ❄️ Our sponsorship of a deserving nonprofit Chief of Staff to attend our Spring Chief of Staff Leadership Retreat inspired us to share some of our most popular resources for Chiefs of Staff. Whether you're stepping into the role, looking to refine your approach, or aiming to elevate your impact, these tools are here to support you: ➡️ What is a Chief of Staff? Understand the vital role Chiefs of Staff play in organizational success: https://bit.ly/WhatIsaCoS. ➡️ The Chief of Staff Framework: Explore the principles that empower Chiefs of Staff to navigate complexity and drive impact: https://lnkd.in/eGQ_bBr4. ➡️ The Chief of Staff Playbook: A practical guide for tackling the challenges of the role and thriving in this pivotal position: https://lnkd.in/eYRtpnbs. Let’s end the week by celebrating and supporting the leaders who help organizations thrive. Know a nonprofit Chief of Staff making a difference? Nominate them for a fully sponsored spot at our retreat this spring: https://lnkd.in/gRQK377t. To learn more about the retreat and what it offers, check out the details here: https://lnkd.in/gwbyvsus. Before you head into the weekend, take a moment to share these resources with your network, or tag a Chief of Staff who could benefit from them. Together, we can achieve leadership excellence. Stay warm, stay inspired, and...happy Fri-YAY!

Nonprofits play a critical role in shaping stronger communities and driving meaningful change. That’s why we’re proud to sponsor a deserving nonprofit Chief of Staff to attend our Spring Chief of Staff Leadership Retreat, April 2–5, 2025, in Alexandria, VA—at no cost.   This retreat is more than an event; it’s an opportunity to strengthen leadership excellence in a setting purposefully designed for Chief of Staff professionals. Participants will engage in dynamic discussions led by McChrystal Group experts, collaborate with peers across sectors, and refine their leadership practices to tackle today’s complex challenges. Learn about the retreat: https://lnkd.in/gwbyvsus   Our commitment to supporting nonprofit leaders reflects our belief in their unparalleled ability to inspire and lead change. If you know a Chief of Staff whose work is advancing the mission of their nonprofit, nominate them here: https://lnkd.in/gRQK377t   Nominations close February 21, 2025, and the recipient will be notified by February 28, 2025.   Let’s elevate the nonprofit leaders who are making an impact every day.   #LeadershipDevelopment #Nonprofit #ChiefOfStaff #McChrystalGroup

What's the latest potential threat to retaining high performers? Spoiler alert: It's Artificial Intelligence. Gartner research revealed some of the top challenges facing CEOs in 2025, and AI topped the list of impacts on employee development, performance, and management. Many organizations strive to develop a sense of belonging among employees as a retention tool. This begs the question: How do organizations create "belonging?" McChrystal Group data revealed the importance of belonging years ago, and one of the primary drivers of "belonging" is empowered execution, a core capability of a Team of Teams®.  McChrystal Group's data guru, Morgan Silvers, unpacks how organizations and leaders can use empowered execution to instill belonging in their workforce. Watch the full video here: https://lnkd.in/e94aXN-g

Leadership is often measured by strategy, tactics, and outcomes. But as General Stan McChrystal shares in his new book, On Character, the true measure of a leader lies in their character—an unseen force that shapes every decision and interaction. Drawing from decades of military service, advising leaders, and personal experiences as a husband, father, and grandfather, Stan explores the formula he believes defines character: character=convictions x discipline. Through reflections on his successes, failures, and life lessons, he invites leaders to examine their convictions and the discipline to stay true to them. We’re thrilled for the release of this powerful exploration of what it truly means to lead and live with character. On Character will be available in May: https://lnkd.in/ew2WVHcq #OnCharacter

Are You Leading with Purpose or Losing Focus? Imagine your time as 100 pennies. How you allocate those pennies defines your leadership impact. In this week’s #WeeklyWhiteboard, Stephanie Beltz, PhD, explores the 100 Pennies Exercise—a transformative framework for leaders striving to align their time with their most critical priorities. This exercise isn’t just about time management; it’s about intentional leadership. Watch the full video: https://lnkd.in/g2j9yUqW #MGWeeklyWhiteboard #100Pennies #Prioritization

🌟 Join the Conversation: Tech-Enabled Talent Management in the Public Sector 🌟 McChrystal Group and Intact Technology are hosting a roundtable discussion with leaders from the public sector, including representatives from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). We'll discuss the critical challenges of federal recruiting, retention, and workforce development and how innovative, tech-enabled talent management frameworks can make a difference. Together, we can reimagine the future of talent management in the public sector. 📅 When: Thursday, Jan. 16, at 1 p.m. 📍 Register: https://lnkd.in/ePt_UPVU Can't make it? All registrants will receive a recording and key takeaways from the event. #PublicSector #TalentManagement #Innovation #LeadershipDevelopment #WorkforceTransformation #McChrystalGroup