6 Levers Podcast

In this episode, Mission Matters Group’s Josh, Shaun, and Joe delve into the world of strategic planning and the challenges organizations face in effectively implementing their plans. The guys emphasize the crucial role of team alignment and the need for clarity on the purpose and desired outcomes of strategic planning. They stress the value of adopting rhythms and operating frameworks to execute and monitor the plan, enabling organizations to proactively make adjustments and embrace agile decision-making. Overall, the podcast provides valuable insights and practical strategies for organizations to drive meaningful progress toward their vision. Get started with your Identity by creating a Compass. Download the Playbook.  For more information about the 6 Levers, visit https://www.6levers.co/ Introduction: Strategic Planning [03:35]  Josh introduces the topic of strategic planning and why many plans end up sitting on a shelf. Shaun discusses the lack of clarity on the purpose and desired outcomes of strategic planning, leading to plans that are not utilized effectively. The Crucial Role of Team Alignment [14:00] Josh raises the issue of varied expectations and outputs of strategic planning and asks how organizations can determine their specific needs to find the right facilitator. Joe emphasizes the importance of asking questions and aligning objectives with the organization's needs, whether it's creating annual goals or addressing larger cultural issues. Shaun highlights the significance of aligning on the meaning of strategic planning and understanding what the organization is solving for, cautioning that strategic planning alone may not solve all org health issues. The Creation of the Compass [24:39] Shaun describes the strategic planning process, starting with the three-year vision and then breaking it down into annual and quarterly goals, emphasizing the importance of focus and accountability at each level. They discuss the adoption of rhythms to execute and monitor the plan, ensuring regular revisiting and nurturing of the vision. Discussion on Diverting Plans and Agile Decision-Making [37:30] Josh discusses the fear of diverting plans and the desire for accuracy in strategic planning. He explores the balance between having a looser-defined long-term vision, broken down annual and quarterly priorities, and the importance of monitoring progress through tools like the 6 Levers framework and operating rhythms. Shaun highlights the value proposition of the 6 Levers framework in enabling organizations to proactively make adjustments and pivot when faced with unforeseen changes. He emphasizes the need for clear tools and systematic approaches to ensure agility and avoid leaving decisions to chance. Conclusion [55:50]

In this episode, Mission Matters Group’s Josh, Shaun, and Joe discuss the Identity lever and its role in galvanizing a team within mission-driven organizations. The hosts discuss the implementation of organizational identity and its impact on culture and decision-making. They emphasize the importance of defining organizational beliefs and tenets, guiding principles that shape how work happens. Examples include "mirror first" and "workload equity." Josh, Shaun and Joe highlight the need to capture identity components in an accessible format and connect it to strategy and people development.  Get started with your Identity by creating a Compass. Download the Playbook.  For more information about the 6 Levers, visit https://www.6levers.co/ Introduction: The Role of the Identity Lever [3:25] Shaun speaks on how mission and values are commonly known components, but the other elements of the identity lever provide a more comprehensive understanding of an organization's identity. Shaun shares a story about how organizations can have repetitive conversations and conflicts when they lack clarity on beliefs and foundational convictions. It can lead to uncertainty in decision-making and impact the organizational culture Joe emphasizes the significance of defining organizational beliefs, as it allows individuals to connect and strengthen their relationships based on shared convictions. Clarifying beliefs helps anchor the organization, inform strategy, and align actions.  Theory of Impact [13:55] The theory of impact is based on identifying the organization's unique differences rooted in strengths, passion, and what they care about. Josh, Joe and Shaun discuss how it helps organizations focus on their key areas of impact and avoid being scattered or spread thin. How Vital Are Vitals? [20:20] Joe introduces the concept of vitals as the forever metrics for organizations, indicating success year-over-year. Some examples are discussed, including financial indicators, client/participant satisfaction and engagement, and internal culture measures. Shaun highlights the importance of scaling the concept of vitals to different team levels, starting with defining the unique purpose of each team and the vitals that indicate their success How Tenets Shape Company Culture [27:45] Joe suggests tenets play a significant role in shaping organizational culture and are often the least defined aspect of identity Josh and Joe discuss an example of tenets including "mirror first," which encourages self-reflection before focusing on external factors, and "workload equity," which promotes fair distribution of work. How Leadership Can Implement Components of the Identity Lever [36:30] Shaun emphasizes the importance of creating an accessible format, such as a one-page document or Compass, that summarizes the various aspects of identity. Joe highlights three key points for bringing organizational identity to life: meaningfulness, intentional engagement, and ritualization. Conclusion [50:15]

In this episode, Mission Matters Group’s Josh, Shaun, Joe, and guest Jo Pang, delve into the complexities of navigating change within teams and organizations. The hosts touch on the importance of promoting psychological safety, integrating change within the organization, and utilizing the 6 Levers framework. Orgs help promote health by aligning with the organization's vision, acknowledging the impact of change on individuals, and employing change management strategies for successful growth and transformation. For more information about the 6 Levers, visit https://www.6levers.co/ Want to learn more? Download the 6 Levers Playbook to get started. Introduction: Anticipating and Preparing for Change [04:20] Josh introduces the 6 Levers framework for navigating change. Jo Pang discusses how overloading people experience increases "learning anxiety." Making a change requires both learning new things and unlearning old habits, which can be challenging. Common Challenges for Teams Navigating Change [08:15] Joe emphasizes that when change doesn't go as planned, it often stems from a lack of motivation and clarity about the underlying "why" behind the change. Shaun echoes Joe's point about the importance of aligning on the current state, identifying dissatisfaction, and slowing down to determine where the team wants to be. This intentional alignment helps establish motivation for change and allows for a more effective and meaningful process. Shaun adds that in his own experience navigating change, he often felt unclear about the reasons behind the change, emphasizing the importance of leadership slowing down to ensure team members are adequately bought into the change. Jo Pang discusses Lewin's change model, which has been widely used since the 1930s or 1940s. Promoting Psychological Safety Within Your Team [21:15] Josh shares a story about a team member who despised creating a plan due to a negative past experience at a previous company. The importance of understanding each team member's previous experiences with change to create psychological safety is discussed. Joe Olwig mentions the power of small wins in driving broader change within an organization. Tips on How to Integrate Change Within Your Organization [30:00] Jo Pang emphasizes the need to be realistic and align with the organization's current capacity and feasibility to move forward, even if it's a small percentage of change. Shaun discusses the need to recalibrate expectations on change, recognizing that even small improvements, such as a 3% change in meeting rhythm or quarterly priorities, can lead to significant transformation over time Josh highlights the power of rhythm in creating a sense of stability and progress, allowing leaders to gain perspective and peace about the current state of the organization. Using the 6 Levers Framework to Navigate Change [39:00] Joe Olwig emphasizes the people-centric nature of the 6 Levers framework and the recognition of the role of change and its impact on individuals within an organization, advocating for empathy and the development of protocols and practices that authentically support people through the change process. Shaun adds to the discussion on rhythm and cohesion, emphasizing the need to create rituals and systems for acknowledging and celebrating change Joe Olwig highlights the need to employ change management strategies when pursuing growth and change within the Identity Lever. Conclusion [1:00:30] 6 Levers Podcast Theme music is "Leisure" by FASSounds.

In this episode, Mission Matters Group’s Josh, Shaun, and Joe delve into the significance of momentum in organizational health, the value of progress over perfection, and the role of constructive feedback in driving continuous improvement. They highlight the importance of building a culture of feedback and the dangers of speeding up without a clear direction. Gain valuable insights on implementing momentum mantras to stay on course by tuning in. For more information about the 6 Levers, visit https://www.6levers.co/ Want to learn more? Download the 6 Levers Playbook to get started. Introduction: Momentum within Organizational Health [05:15] Joe emphasizes the mindset shift required for embracing momentum and the posture towards progress. Joe relates momentum to a formula, with mass representing the work and velocity representing the team's ability to move quickly. Progress over Perfection [12:00] The guys discuss how “learning by doing” and constructive feedback are integral in implementing Momentum. Building Blocks: Culture of Feedback and Continuous Improvement [24:00] Shaun explains the approach of encoding continuous improvement into the team's work by incorporating it into key rhythms and committing to reviewing agreements made as a team. Joe highlights the common posture of teams towards continuous improvement, where it is conceptually valued but often limited to annual assessments and big structural changes. He contrasts this approach with the idea of creating practices of continuous improvement at a micro level all the time. Implementation: Checks and Balances [35:00] Josh shares a poignant quote, “Unsure of our direction, we often double our pace”, emphasizing that when people are uncertain about their path, they tend to speed up, which can lead to getting further off course. The hosts discuss the importance of embracing the momentum mantras in teams as a way to stay on course. Conclusion: [54:00]

In this episode, Mission Matters Group’s Josh, Shaun, and Joe dive into how to find the right rhythm for maximum team collaboration. By adopting an effective operating cycle and rhythm design, organizations can ensure important activities happen on a recurring basis and create habits or routines around strategic initiatives. For more information about the 6 Levers, visit https://www.6levers.co/ Get our FREE guide to better meetings (including the agenda we use with all of our clients). Download the guide.  Introduction: Rhythm in Organizational Health [00:02:10] Josh shares a personal story about learning to dance and how overcomplicating the process can hinder progress. The trio discuss the importance of feeling the Rhythm and the impact it has on organizational health. Shaun introduces the idea of Rhythm as a cycle and how it can help organizations stay on track and adapt to change. Start With The “Why” [11:00] Shaun, Joe, and Josh discuss the importance of starting with the "why" when working in teams, instead of defaulting to setting up meetings as the only solution. They encourage a learning mindset and being open to adjusting when necessary. Josh uses the example of merging a new monthly meeting with an existing leadership team meeting, demonstrating the fluidity of Rhythms. Adopting Operational Routines to Sustain Focus [00:16:39] The conversation is about the importance of embracing the "we learn by doing" mindset and experimenting while adopting the Rhythm lever to sustain focus. Designing Effective Meeting Rhythms [00:35:20] Shaun comments on the design of meeting Rhythms and agendas as a crucial component to ensuring that teams focus on the most important issues and are able to work through emergent challenges. Joe adds that when a team is not sufficiently ready for a meeting, it may result in unproductive conversations and a sense of disappointment regarding the meeting schedule. The Power of Personal Rhythms [00:42:00] The guys discuss the top personal routines they do on a weekly basis, which support and strengthen a team routine. Conclusion [00:54:00] 6 Levers Podcast Theme music is "Leisure" by FASSounds.

In this episode, Mission Matters Group’s Josh, Shaun, and Joe discuss the importance of focus in an organization and how to successfully prioritize goals. They recommend staying flexible in setting priorities and harnessing momentum to sustain focus on organizational goals. They also provide practical tips for implementing the 6 Levers Framework into an organization. Download our FREE Scorecard Template. For more information about the 6 Levers, visit https://www.6levers.co/ Introduction: Definition and Significance of Focus [00:02:15] Josh, Joe and Shaun define Focus as a lever in the 6 Levers Framework and explain its importance for an organization. How To Successfully Prioritize Goals and Set Focus [00:12:45] Joe emphasizes how defining measurable and meaningful goals takes practice. Teams will inherently deprioritize other things and learn how to communicate what is important. Joe suggests starting with a handful of "vitals" - measures that always matter - to an organization and setting targets around them as the foundation of focus for the year to bring resources to prioritize areas for growth or expansion. Focus Should Be On Emergent Priorities As Well As Long-Term Goals [00:30:00] Shaun and Josh discuss the importance of having a flexible approach when setting priorities and focusing on the near-term horizon, whether annual or quarterly, to be responsive to emergent priorities that may arise. The Importance of Momentum in Sustaining Focus on Organizational Goals [00:37:30] Josh appreciates the intentional design of the 6 Levers Framework and how it emphasizes Momentum rather than a quick fix. Josh and Joe discuss the role of monitoring in a goal-setting process. Shaun says by adopting a few aspects of the 6 Levers Framework, teams can avoid paralysis caused by striving for perfection and focus on making progress. How to Implement The Framework into Your Organization [00:48:45] The guys recommend starting by adopting a few short-term priorities and monitoring them regularly. Josh explains the next step would be to carve out a handful of sessions to answer the question of what measures indicate success, or the team's "vitals." Shaun recommends that leaders be encouraging during this process and stay positive even if progress is slow. Conclusion [00:52:30] 6 Levers Podcast Theme music is "Leisure" by FASSounds.

In this episode, Mission Matters Group’s Joe, Shaun, and Josh discuss intentional leadership as a vital lever in the 6 Levers Framework. They highlight the value of curiosity, reflection, comfort with uncertainty, and alignment on values for fostering innovation and collaboration within a team. For more information about the 6 Levers, visit https://www.6levers.co/ Want to learn more? Join us for an upcoming workshop.  Episode Outline: Introduction: The Consistency of Kids [00:00:00] The guys reflect on the reliability and consistency of kids in their lives, drawing parallels to the importance of consistency in organizational success. Leadership as a Key Lever in Organizational Success [00:03:45] Josh, Joe and Shaun discuss the critical role of leadership in the overall success of an organization, exploring its significance in the 6 Levers framework. Shaun explains the importance of aligning leadership practices with the organization's goals and values. Importance of Empathy and Self-Awareness [00:18:45] Joe highlights the role of empathy in effective leadership and building meaningful connections. Shaun discusses the importance of self-awareness in understanding one's strengths and weaknesses as a leader. Josh emphasizes the need for leaders to continuously develop their emotional intelligence for effective leadership. Actionable Steps for Improving Leadership Practices [00:51:00] Joe suggests aligning with the team on one leadership practice and facilitating learning and alignment around it. Shaun encourages self-reflection and identifying a quality to work on and creating a self-practice routine. Josh emphasizes the need to prioritize what resonates with the team and starting with small, actionable steps. Conclusion [00:54:00] 6 Levers Podcast Theme music is "Leisure" by FASSounds.

An organizational operating system is the set of norms, practices, and routines that define the way a team works. In this episode, Joe, Shaun, and Josh from Mission Matters Group discuss the importance of organizational health and how it can affect not only performance but also people's lives outside of work.  They share personal experiences and insights on how to create a healthy work environment that energizes people and sends them home in a better place. For more information about the 6 Levers, visit https://www.6levers.co/ Want to learn more? Join us for an upcoming workshop.  Episode Outline: Introduction: Introducing the hosts and the topic of organizational health. [00:00:00] The Theory of Impact: Boost Organizational Health, Boost Performance [00:02:30] Joe shares the original focus of organizational health and performance. Reframing the focus on organizational health as an end in and of itself, not just a means to an end. Importance of sending people home in a healthy and energized state, regardless of performance outcomes. Developing Tenets and Beliefs [00:35:15] Shaun shares how they developed tenets and beliefs for their work, including the belief that work should be energizing. Importance of ending the workday in a positive and energized state. Josh shares personal experiences and insights on how to create a healthy work environment. How to Send People Home Energized [00:39:45] Josh shares a story about his son's preschool and how the teacher's behavior can be a model for leaders to send people home in a positive way. Importance of leaders taking responsibility for sending people home in a positive way. Examples of small actions that can make a big difference in people's lives outside of work. Conclusion: Wrapping up the discussion and inviting feedback from listeners. [00:46:45]  

What are the 6 Levers?  Josh, Shaun and Joe dive into the 6 Levers, walking through each Lever and why it matters.  Download the 6 Levers Playbook to learn more.  www.6levers.co