Bartosz Skwarczek’s Post

Many CEOs (in private): Right culture, Wrong people 🙄 Many middle-managers: Right people, Wrong culture 🤐 I call it the "they pulled my hair first" syndrome. But, when organizations combine the Right culture with the Right people, it is unstoppable. Sounds easy, huh? Well, it isn't impossible. The secret to a thriving culture starts with leadership. 🚀 → Don't delegate co-creating your future, today's leaders are hands-on. → Without micro-mgmt, create the environment for success. → Decide deliberately about 3️⃣ areas you want to be world-class. → Make deliberate, tough choices on values. Because values create value. → Empower people with purpose and clear, shared metrics. → Adjust thoughtfully the culture to harness the potential of your people. What do the cultures of Mastercard and Spanish football (soccer) have in common? Other than #priceless moments 😜, they both create cultures that harness the best of its people (inside and outside). They also empowered their people to create the Right culture. That's how we make dreams happen. The results are undeniable. Spain men's teams have a record of 27 wins, 0 losses since May 2001, in the FINALs of major tournaments (World Cup, Champions League, Euros etc). ⚽ And Mastercard's stock grew by 17X under Banga's tenure, massively outpacing its competitors. More importantly, they brought millions of unbanked people into the global economy. 📈 Read more about my article in the Special Edition Summer 2024 of Harvard Business Review titled "What Makes Great Leaders?" with co-authors Linda and Emily where we explore the amazing Mastercard journey ignited by former CEO Ajay Banga (and current President of the The World Bank). *** ♻️ Like, comment, or repost to share with your network. 🔔 Hit the bell to follow. I'm Jason Wild, once a tech and strategy exec, now an advocate for impactful change. I write about turning innovation, leadership, strategy, and growth into realities that transform businesses and create genius organizations. #leadership #innovation #growth #collectivegenius #geniusecosystems #culture #talent #success #teamwork

Hey…Look. We are living locally but thriving globally. It’s not a new conversation, yet I think sometimes the dots feel unconnected. The truth is, everything is interconnected: leadership, workplace culture, DEI, and global market opportunities. Here’s the thing…74% of companies say diversity drives innovation, but only 11% of global businesses feel confident in their cultural competency strategies. (Deloitte, PwC) What if we reframed DEI from a global perspective? Imagine how that could elevate your organization. I use my Consulting Model : APC (Artistic, Psychological, and Cultural) to connect those dots: Building resilient leadership that thrives in uncertainty Creating inclusive, innovative workplace cultures that retain talent Tapping into global opportunities, like Africa’s $2.5 trillion market potential What’s stopping your business from thriving in a truly interconnected world? Really, the key to thriving in 2025 isn’t just operating ..:it’s understanding how everything fits together. Let’s connect. #Leadership #GlobalBusiness #Inclusion #DEI #APCModel #2025Vision

"Leaders have to put themselves into a situation where they and their teams are being challenged and rethinking things, taking big bets, but pivoting really fast.” That's Katy George of Microsoft and it's an excellent intro to the Leadership Playbook built from all the amazing insights shared at Charter's recent summit. Highly recommended reading if you're a leader grappling with topics like #GenAI, developing #talent, managing #flexible work, #diversity and leading in a divisive political environment. Here's a few of topics, leaders and experts whose insights are captured: 💡 CMU Prof and JPMorganChase head of AI research Manuela Veloso on where we're headed and how we must adapt to #AI 🤹♂️ Paul Griggs, PwC's US leader, on project and #skills-based organizations and GenAI 📖 Aneesh Raman on how AI changes the skills needed, and one that's already critical: “The most in-demand skill on LinkedIn across all jobs is not coding, it's #communication." ⚡ Nichole Sterling and Helen Lee Kupp of Women Defining AI on the power of giving people room to #experiment: "We don't need real formal R&D labs going on right now. We need to put these tools into people's hands and let them start solving their own problems.” 🟰 Lean In's Caroline Fairchild on #DEI: “if you are transparent with employees about how hard this work is, you get better results,” in conversation with Edith Cooper who laid out why it matters: “recognize that excellence is only going to occur if you create environments where everyone can really thrive.” A set of themes echoed by Edelman CEO Richard Edelman who brought the data, and carried into and incredible panel on women's sports where Sarah Jones Simmer and Amy Scheer talked with Sara Haines about how sports build key leadership traits for women and the leagues they're building. 💪 HBS Prof Prithwiraj Choudhury and Diageo EVP Laura Watt on #hybrid work and the broader role of #flexibility in building a resilient workforce. 📕 McKinsey & Company's Kurt Strovink on CEO skills: "Does the CEO have a story and a purpose?” 💡 And so many others, from Daisy Auger-Domínguez (she/her/ella), Sal Khan, Grace Zuncic, Lauren M. Tyler, Deb Roy, Chip Cutter and Emma Goldberg Even if you were there, you might have missed -- like my favorites: 🔥 New America's Brigid Schulte on #burnout: "“If you're in an organization that values the input of sitting in a chair or being online... If you value long work hours, the input rather than the output, that's a lot of what drives stress and burnout.” 💥 Caitlin Harper on #leadership and #change: “When I tackle major change management initiatives, it's actually not the employees that are the biggest challenge... It's the leaders themselves." 👉 Download your own copy of the new Leadership Playbook, link in comments! Kudos again Erin Grau, Kevin Delaney, Jay Lauf for a great event, and to the whole Charter team for collecting these insights! #FutureOfWork

How many hats can one wear? At first glance, wearing many hats might seem like a lack of focus. But over time, I’ve realized it’s the opposite: it’s about breadth with purpose. As an architect, consultant, entrepreneur leading Nidus Lab, investor with WA4STEAM, board member, ESG and diversity advocator with WIRES, Women in Real Estate Spain, educator and mother, each role has sharpened my ability to: See the bigger picture while diving into the details. Connect seemingly unrelated dots to drive innovation. Bridge disciplines and people, creating solutions that last. These experiences don’t dilute my #focus — they enrich it. In #senior leadership positions, like on a board, this breadth becomes a strategic advantage: You gain cross-industry insights to challenge the status quo. You balance operational realities with forward-thinking vision. You bring resilience, adaptability, and clarity to decision-making. Wearing many hats has taught me that true #leadership lies in #integration, not #division. What’s your experience? Can “breadth with purpose” sharpen leadership impact? I’d love to hear your thoughts. PS_Image crafted with AI

It's time to /shift your thinking. It's time to see you people as an ASSET, not a cost... It was a pleasure to be one of the Moderators at this week's The Fast Future Executive summit at University of California, Irvine - The Paul Merage School of Business, expertly put on by Scott Hamilton and the Executive Next Practices Institute (ENP Forums). So much insight and thought leadership to digest. But Ian O. Williamson, Dean at UCI, got us off to a flying start by challenging all the leaders in the room to "see your people as a asset, not a cost". This is a simple, but fundamental /shift all leaders must make. Now. 👎 Costs are in opposition to profit 👎 Costs are a unwelcome 👎 Costs are a target 🚀 Assets are value-creating 🚀 Assets are equity 🚀 Companies strategically invest in assets As the world continues to change rapidly around us, leaders must make strategic investments in their people. We have much to learn, and much to change - so we must commit to building the capabilities and skills our people need to capture the massive opportunity that new tech like #Ai is creating. I keep saying it, but it's "never just technology". It's our people and teams that turn that technology into value and grow our businesses. Invest in your people. They are your biggest asset. :::::::::::: 💥 I’m passionate about business performance, ways-of-working and creating adaptable, high-performing teams 💥 DM me if you have an opportunity to grab, a problem to solve, or an important program to deliver, I can help. #BusinessPerformance #AgileTransformation #HighPerformingTeams #FutureOfWork #BusinessAgility #WaysOfWorking

In today's rapidly changing world, thought leadership has never been more essential. Being a thought leader is not just about sharing insights; it's about inspiring change and fostering innovation. At its core, thought leadership is about providing authoritative insight and perspectives in a way that enlightens and encourages others to think differently. As professionals, we have the power to shape industries with novel ideas and motivations. It's critical for us to contribute our voices to conversations that matter, to bring fresh perspectives that will inspire advancements, and challenge the status quo. Being a thought leader means being unafraid to take a stand, to question the established norms, and to advocate for new pathways that drive progress. It's our responsibility to not only share our knowledge but also to learn from others, creating a vibrant exchange of ideas that set the stage for future innovations. As I continue on my journey, I am committed to nurturing a culture of curiosity and collaboration. Let us join together to push the boundaries of what's possible, and lead the charge into new, uncharted territories. Let's create a future where innovation knows no bounds, and where leadership transcends traditional models, making a meaningful impact on the world. #Leadershipthoughts #leader #World #WorkCulture #knowledge #Nurturing #boundaires #People

The annual PwC CEO Survey has released its findings, providing valuable insights into the future of the region for the next year. With the ever-evolving landscape, leaders must adapt their strategies to drive growth. Here are some leadership insights! #PwC #CEOSurvey #LeadershipInsights 🚀 #GenAI #Transformation #Innovation

Thrilled to share insights from my recent participation in the Trilateral Innovation Partnership Conference! The conference was hosted by Coventry University (Dr Michael Yap) and H.E. Kara Owen, where stakeholders from diverse sectors across ASEAN and the UK engaged in rich & dynamic discussions. Thanks for inviting me to speak about driving innovation and transformation in business and industry. During the conference, I had the privilege to join a distinguished panel discussing the crucial role of leadership in driving innovation and transformation. Alongside esteemed colleagues Ivan 廖光品 KwangPing LEW (CEO) & David McBeth Vice Principal, Enterprise & Economic Transformation at Dundee University, we explored topics such as future leadership talents, fostering a culture of continuous learning, promoting inclusivity, and mindset agility needed when navigating technological advancements. Key takeaways from the panel discussion: 🔹 **New Leadership Talents**: Leaders need to be creative, empathetic, and transparent. It requires courage to be a leader today, being open to feedback whilst transparently communicating the 'why' to decisions made. 🔹 **Culture of Continuous Learning**: Requires embracing mistakes as learning opportunities, creating a safe space for experimentation and failure. All essential to enable continuous learning for fostering innovation. 🔹 **Inclusivity in Workplaces**: Inclusivity should be embedded in company culture, hiring practices, and individual behaviours which foster empathy, curiosity and understanding. 🔹 **Promoting Agility Amid Technological Advancements**: It’s important to prioritize where to focus whilst embracing imperfection, (and also seek the help of technology such as AI), are critical for staying agile in the face of rapid technological change. Innovation is the lifeblood of industry evolution, it's essential. My personal belief? It's about creating inclusive environments where courageous conversations lead to impactful actions. Let's continue to champion innovation and inclusivity in our respective fields, driving positive change and sustainable growth. 💡 #Innovation #Leadership #Inclusivity #BusinessTransformation

Leadership in the 21st Century An excellent blog post from Paul Polman (link below). I agree with his belief that the boardroom's responsibility extends beyond the company and investors to all stakeholders and society. But many boards, often dominated by older, white men, still focus narrowly on short-term returns. This creates a problem for CEOs needing support in a rapidly changing environment. In my experience in the hospitality sector, revamping our boards is crucial. We need diversity, business transformation skills, and sustainability expertise. Gender-balanced, diverse, and results-driven boards help us achieve significant growth and resilience in a highly competitive industry. Three “C’s” for Modern Leadership from Paul Polman: Composition: Diversify who’s in the room. Reflect society with a mix of gender, race, age, and backgrounds. Progress has been slow—let’s accelerate it. In my personal experience, having diverse boards is crucial. Our customers are primarily women, yet decisions are often made by predominantly male board members. This mismatch can lead to missed opportunities and perspectives. Competence: Ensure board members are informed about the big issues like AI, sustainability, and geopolitics. Continuous learning should be integral, not optional. Contribution: Focus the Board’s efforts on strategic discussions, not just compliance. Encourage tough conversations and link performance to compensation. In these meteoric times, proactive change is essential. Let’s build boards that not only navigate challenges but seize opportunities and thrive. #Leadership #Boardroom #Diversity #Sustainability #Transformation #FutureReady

The Curious Case of Brian Thompson Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, has become the center of an unusual and polarizing conversation following his recent passing. While the death of any individual usually invites condolences and sympathy, Thompson’s case has taken an unexpected turn—one marked by sharp public reactions, memes, and debates that reveal the deep frustrations many feel about the healthcare industry. As the leader of one of the largest health insurance companies in the U.S., Thompson was at the helm of a system often criticized for high premiums, denied claims, and limited access to affordable care. For many, he became a symbol of the corporate machinery behind a healthcare system that has left millions feeling neglected. This sentiment spilled over into the public domain upon his death, with some using the moment to vent long-standing grievances. But this curious case isn’t just about Brian Thompson—it’s a reflection of a larger societal issue. It underscores the growing divide between corporations and the people they serve. It highlights the human cost of systemic flaws, where emotions run so high that even death doesn't pause the debate. It’s worth asking: How do we move from anger to action? Can these emotions spark meaningful conversations about reforming healthcare for the better? The curious case of Brian Thompson isn't just a story—it's a mirror reflecting the urgency for change. How do we create a healthcare system where compassion, affordability, and accessibility take center stage?