Episode 009: Navigating Integrity: Transforming Business as Usual into Business at Its Best with Al Watts

The People Dividend Podcast

Organizational success hinges more on its people and the development of its leaders than the strategies they follow. Al Watts, an independent HR and talent development consultant with over three decades of experience, shares insights from his book "Navigating Integrity: Transforming Business as Usual into Business at its Best." He stresses that integrity is not just an ethical requirement but a strategic asset essential for sustainable growth and effective leadership. Through tools like the Leadership and Organizational Integrity Surveys, Al aims to cultivate and gauge integrity within leadership circles and throughout entire organizations.

Al explains the concept of authenticity in leadership, examining it from both inside-out and outside-in perspectives. He emphasizes the need for honesty, transparency, and genuine leadership, highlighting how these qualities contribute to the executive development of individuals within an organization. Moreover, he discusses the importance of aligning an organization's structure, staff, systems, and strategy with its goals. Al stresses accountability and the significance of meaningful metrics in tracking progress and ensuring alignment with these goals.

In facing today's dynamic business environment, Al advises on keeping teams engaged and communication open to navigate rapid changes effectively. This episode guides leaders to match their personal values with their organization's, emphasizing integrity as a key to effective leadership and organizational success.

Quotes:

• “Organization development seemed to be a discipline with a focus on the people factor, but it took a more holistic perspective on business and on organizations and on how to make them work and be sustainable.” (07:32 | Al Watts)

• “People are happy when they feel like they're working for a purpose or with a purpose that is meaningful to them.” (14:02 | Al Watts)

• “Organizations and leaders cannot keep doing exactly the same thing they've been doing as the world changes. And so there need to be mechanisms in place to constantly readjust things like structure or skill mixes.” (16:44 | Al Watts)

• “We need to know our own minds, and we need to have the capacity to understand why we're doing what we're doing.” (29:48 | Al Watts)

Links:

Learn More About Mike Horne: Email Mike at [e-mail] More About Executive and Organization Development with Mike HorneTwitter: https://twitter.com/mikehorneauthor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikehorneauthor/, LinkedIn Mike’s Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6867258581922799617/,

Schedule a Discovery Call with Mike: https://calendly.com/mikehorne/15-minute-discovery-call-with-mike

Learn more about Al Watts: Website: integro-inc.com

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