Getting Back to Center.

The 'Why' Behind Work: Unlocking Motivation at Scale

Our latest Pulse of the U.S. Workforce report reveals a powerful truth—what employees truly crave is a leader who sees and cares for them as people, both in and outside the workplace. 

In our latest Back to Center newsletter, we explore how motivations are as unique as the individuals in your organization. When leaders shift the conversation from how people work to why they work, they unlock insights that enable them to meet their teams’ most fundamental needs.  

From Compliance to Conviction: Reimagining How We Work

Our research has uncovered a growing development gap between remote and in-office employees—and what it means for leadership, culture, and performance.

In our latest Back to Center newsletter, we explore the critical leadership skills needed to thrive in a hybrid work environment. Moving beyond the "remote vs. in-person" debate, we emphasize the importance of returning to foundational workplace values like flexibility, trust, and understanding. 

Trust in Leadership is Low - And It Starts at the Top

Our research shows that nearly half of U.S. workers distrust their CEOs, with 47% not admiring their leaders - and when trust in leadership erodes, performance suffers. 

In our latest Back to Center newsletter, we explore how cultural shifts can impact company performance through the story of Charlie, a CEO navigating the complexities of transforming an inherited, top-down leadership culture. 

Crucible Moments: Uncovering the Values That Shape Leadership

Our values are the guiding principles that shape our lives and influence every decision we make. In leadership, they act as our compass. Whether we realize it or not, our values impact how we lead, communicate, and set expectations with our teams.

In our latest Back to Center newsletter, we explore how conscious and unconscious values shape leadership and organizational culture. Discover how to identify your own 'crucible moments' and align your leadership style with your core values. 

Addressing a Toxic Colleague

Most companies we work in will have a toxic team member. At idealis, we see this not as a reality that can be avoided, but rather as one that can provide an opportunity for individuals to reevaluate their own toxic behaviors and reshape their workplace cultures.

We invite you to read our latest Back to Center newsletter and to learn about how to recognize and correct toxic behavior, starting with recognizing the power that we have as individuals to self-reflect and set the tone for a positive workplace.
 

Understanding the Depth of Our Humanity

There is so much depth to who we are – shaped by our origin stories, the experiences we’ve had, and the aspirations we strive to achieve. We bring all of this into the workplace, yet we're rarely taught how to talk about it. Whether we lead, are led, or want to lead others, we have the opportunity to better understand one another at work and outside of work.  

This edition of our Back to Center newsletter underscores how understanding who a person is, and predicting what a person will do goes far beyond their resume and career experiences. We have to be willing to pay attention, with intention, to each other and to ourselves to truly understand the depth of our humanity. 

Letting People Go with Humanity

In our Back to Center newsletter this week, we share a perspective on letting people go with humanity. It is a dreaded part of a leader's job, and we think it's time to raise the bar on how we treat people when they work for a company and, when they are being let go. 

When considering how to let people go, a positive human experience honors the need for connection, and might be the very thing that mitigates risk.  

Leading with Lasting Impact 

Our latest Back To Center newsletter is about the legacy we leave as leaders. With over 50% of the US workforce in the “legacy phase” of their careers, we have a chance to do better and lead better… so that we leave the companies and people we lead in a better state than we found them.  

"As leaders look back on their careers, they don’t often remember the numbers that mark their progress towards goals. They remember the people they helped to progress in their lives towards their goals. That is our humanity at work. "