Insights

by Neal Eisenstein These days, I spend much of my time working with senior teams navigating uncertainty, growth pressure, lack of alignment, and constant change. No matter the industry, personalities at the table, or presenting challenges, the same question eventually surfaces: "What can I do to strengthen my team, raise performance, and improve collaboration?" My response is usually simple: Start with yourself. That may sound counterintuitive. Many leaders assume the solutio

When Satya Nadella became CEO of Microsoft in 2014, he inherited a company known for its brilliant products but criticized for a rigid, “know-it-all” workplace culture. Early in his tenure, Nadella shared a personal story about a project where two teams with similar skills and objectives produced wildly different results. The difference wasn’t in talent or resources—it was culture. One team thrived because it embraced collaboration, curiosity, and learning from failure. The o