Episode 829: Why organizations become shadows of their leaders, with Dr. Larry Senn

Dr. Larry Senn is a pioneer in the field of corporate culture, having conducted the world’s first research on corporate culture in 1970. As chairman and founder of Senn Delaney, a global transformational and culture-shaping organization, Larry has been on a mission to make “culture shaping” an everyday practice of companies around the world. Larry is also the best-selling author of several books, including, 21st Century Leadership, Winning Team Winning Cultures, and most recently The Mood Elevator.

What you’ll learn about in this episode: How people are greatly influenced by significant adult figures in their lives and who first influenced Larry. Larry’s first entrepreneurial efforts and how they worked for him through school and then through college. The reason Larry compares many companies to dysfunctional families (with turf wars, politics, and trust issues). Larry’s connection to Walmart and its founder who envisioned bringing low-priced consumer goods to rural America. Why leaders have obligations to become their best selves. Hint! It has something to do with organizations becoming shadows of their leaders. How Larry developed a passion for helping companies develop a company culture. What it means to operate as an effective entrepreneur and why Larry believes it means operating lean, with few inefficiencies or redundancies. Why Larry chose “culture shaping” as his career and why it’s so important for businesses. Curiosity vs. judgment and why curiosity can help transform the way you approach problems or challenges in life and in business. Mood elevators and what they have to do with the way you respond to issues you address throughout the day. How riding the mood elevator influences everything in your life from your relationships to your personal effectiveness and even your professional success. How you can reduce the frequency with which you visit the lower floors of your mood elevator and to spend more time moving up. Ways to contact Larry: Larry@themoodelevator.com