maripat | Varga & Associates

Free the business strategy and mobilize people power

May 9, 2013 | business strategy, Career Development, Coaching, Communication, Employee Engagement, Leadership

As a leader in an organization, you are likely to be perceived as the one with the answers. You can expect team members to look to you for direction and customers to look to you for accountability. Certainly there are situations and organizations that may require an autocratic leadership style in the short term, but it rarely produces the kind of growth, efficiency, and brand reputation that is necessary for long-term sustainability. Your greatest resource for long-term sustainability is the people you interact with on a daily basis- both employees and customers; their knowledge, their commitment, and their perspective are your reservoirs of growth potential.

Cascading communication is key to success

Jan 20, 2013 | Career Development, Coaching, Communication, Employee Engagement, Leadership, Personal Development

What would it mean to you and your organization if your employees were well informed, clear on strategy and focused on the right things? I know we can all agree you’d would be unstoppable. Great communication is key to creating an organization that prides itself on knowledgeable employees, transparent communication and an engaged atmosphere. A critical element in the flow of communication is the power of CASCADING.

The nine components of happiness

Dec 1, 2012 | Communication, Leadership

Bhutan is an idyllic Buddhist kingdom known for its gentle way of life. Bhutan is located in Southeast Asia at the eastern end of the Himalayas. The fourth king of Bhutan coined the phrase “gross national happiness” (GNH) more than 30 years ago to suggest an enlightened Eastern alternative to the pressures of the materialistic West.

Fresh perspective from Panera CEO

Sep 2, 2012 | Leadership, Personal Development

Advice from Ron Shaich, Founder and co-CEO, Panera:

1) Look beyond shareholder value as its a narrow definition of success and is actually dysfunctional. Profit and stock price are not things I can make. They’re a by product of delivering for all my constituents.

Stuff Authentic People Say

Jun 23, 2012 | Career Development, Coaching, Communication, Employee Engagement, Leadership, Personal Development

Jack and Suzy Welch’s recent opinion piece in FORTUNE (April 9, 2012) shares three guidelines for how any leader can tap into and communicate their authentic self.

First, quoting the famous philosopher, Popeye, they site that you often hear authentic people give you some version of “I yam what I yam, and that’s all what I yam.” Authentic people are deeply comfortable with themselves. They acknowledge both their weakness and their strengths without apology.