WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A MODERN CEO?As CEOs, the expectations of our people, their families, our communities and wider society, as well as the longevity of the planet, are all big topics that are top of mind right now. We are expected to be across all of this, and to understand the impact every decision will have on all of these highly complicated factors on a daily basis. Not only that, we have to satisfy the expectations of investors, shareholders, boards, policymakers and governments, all whilst looking after people, mitigating risk and, of course, making money. Being a modern CEO requires us to future proof ourselves and our people with the right mindsets, skillsets and toolsets to ensure we balance all these highly interconnected considerations.
DEVELOPING DIGITAL MUSCLE IN YOUR ORGANISATION Everything that we do today is underpinned by ‘digital’ in some way. The fuel pump won’t work unless technology enables it. The power grids won’t work unless algorithms balance the load. Shift workers won’t turn up to work if they don’t get a notification of their shift on their smartphones. As CEOs, we must ensure we think and breathe digital. Building digital muscle is a lifestyle similar to attending a gym to keep fit. Your specific reason to attend a gym will influence the fitness tools, techniques and advice that you invest in. Digital skills are no different; we require people and technology competency areas to remain digitally fit and be ready for the future whatever that may be. We must become intuitive to adopt these skills rapidly to the changing environments in which we exist. Welcome to the world where an organisation's fitness is measured by its digital muscle.
A NEW OPERATING MODEL FOR A NEW WORLD Think back to the first part of the 1900s, during the Second Industrial Revolution, when organisations were run on hierarchies and command-and-control operating models. Think of the Ford Motor Company, with workers lined up one after the other performing specific manual and repetitive tasks to help roll a motor vehicle off the production line. In those days we didn’t have the wealth of knowledge and technology like we do today; yet most organization still run off these outdated and hierarchical operating models. Today we live in one giant economy that brings together people across the world in real time in a highly interconnected network. Today’s modern organisations require a fundamental change in the way they are structured to take advantage of a networked way of operating that considers people, family, community, society and planet. It’s time for a new operating model for a new world.
TAKING SYSTEMISED THINKING TO A NEW LEVEL Many organisations have developed based off a departmental way of operating. The marketing department, sales department, finance department, human resources department. Often we find one department will make a decision in isolation of the other departments, with the outcomes often failing to meet expectations. To support modern ways of operating, where we embrace digital, team-based work and human-centred experiences, we require a systemic approach to ensure all this is harmonised. Organisations who truly embrace systemic mindsets, skillsets and toolsets will be those that are architected correctly to innovate, grow and thrive into the future. It’s time to ramp up the way we approach systemised thinking once and for all.
WAGE THEFT EXPOSED: UNDERSTANDING IT, FIXING IT, AVOIDING REPUTATIONAL DAMAGEThe stories in the media seem to follow one after the other about organisations not paying their people correctly. Is this a result of organisations deliberately setting out to do this or stemming from another cause? Having spent 20 years working with organisations to help pay people correctly I have a substantial number of real-life experiences that show the complexity of this issue but more importantly how to get this right in organisations. We must engineer a solution that covers a massive disconnect allowing this to occur by connecting all stakeholders including HR, IR, legal and even Fair Work itself. If this disconnect remains poor relationships and reputational damage will continue unchecked which won’t help bridge the lost trust between workers and leaders. Let’s open the discussion, work together and get rid of wage theft once and for all..
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR AN INSPIRATIONAL, THOUGHT PROVOKING SPEAKER?
If you would like to enquire about getting Jarrod McGrath to speak at your event please drop the JM team a line here.
We recently had the pleasure of having Jarrod speak at our business networking event and could not have asked for a better speaker. Jarrod, a consummate professional, connected well with the audience and delivered a presentation that was insightful and authentic. The feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with people deeply impressed with his knowledge, experience, and passion for the topic. Working with Jarrod was a pleasure; he helped make our event a resounding success. We would highly recommend Jarrod to anyone looking for a dynamic and impactful speaker.
Dr Penny Sweeting, BN, MN, PhD she/her
Associate Vice Chancellor Sydney Region
"Jarrod has provided practical insights around the importance of aligning purpose and people to drive results amid so much change and uncertainty. This is a must-read for any leader navigating through these complex and challenging times."
Alicia Roach, Founder and Joint CEO, eQ8
"In The Modern CEO, Jarrod brings additional awareness of Indigenous and First Nations learnings, especially around system thinking and the connection of people, family, community, society and planet. These do not have to be competing priorities; they can coexist and provide benefit in the modern corporate world."
Ben Bowen, CEO, Indigenous Literacy Foundation
"I commend Jarrod for providing CEOs a practical, must-read playbook for leading with a people-centric philosophy. At the core of this is the alignment of organisational purpose with people’s purpose."
Tracy Angwin, CEO, Australian Payroll Association
"Jarrod shifts the focus on people from HR to the CEO, and gives leaders a practical guide to drive results. A must-read."
Marc Havercroft, President, Go1
"Jarrod shares valuable insights and practical tools to help business leaders align people with organisational purpose."
Amanda Simms, CEO, Simms & Associates
"The modern CEO has to navigate the hard and soft side of business and people simultaneously, being candid yet showing care. The CEOs and business leaders who build and tap into their people and cultural intelligence will stand out."
Anoushka Gungadin, Experienced CEO, FemTech Executive and Non-Executive Director
"Jarrod has captured evolution and innovation and leadership brilliantly in The Modern CEO. A modern CEO is on an evolution of self-awareness bringing human-centred philosophy with commercial practice into business. Leaders will do well to leverage the insights from The Modern CEO and the four foundations of purpose, people, leadership and operations. Should they do so they will create sustainable success, grow the best talent and make a meaningful contribution to their community. Isn’t that what great leadership is about? Thank you, Jarrod, for bringing The Modern CEO to life, as I have no doubt leaders will be thanking you for many years to come as they learn to futureproof themselves and their organisation."
Monica Watt, CEO, Incredible Buzz, and former Group Chief HR Officer, ELMO Software
"This book is designed to help people on their journey, and I know you will be drawn in by the way Jarrod brings this to life."
Chris Wilesmith, Group CEO and Managing Director, Jaycar Group
"Leadership is only as valuable as the followership it garners. Human to human inspiration and connection is the competitive edge that creates the performance advantage in the market. It is at the heart of the Modern CEO’s toolkit."
Nicky Sparshot, Global Chief of Transformation Unilever, former CEO & EVP, Unilever Australia & New Zealand
"Brimming with honest and actionable insights, this book is a rare and timeless imperative for any person in business. It is an invitation to adopt a human-centred approach as fundamental to leadership. The Modern CEO is a self-benchmarking tool you can use to measure your ability to successfully lead the current and future workforce."
Jason Averbook, Former CEO and Co-Founder, Leapgen Global Leader, Mercer | Leapgen
"As a CEO in today’s constantly evolving world, it’s crucial to have a dynamic, people-focused leadership approach. Navigating the complexities of the digital age can be challenging, but Jarrod’s book provides invaluable insights that will equip CEOs with the tools they need to succeed. Whether you’re a current CEO or aspiring to take on the role in the future, this book is a must-read for anyone looking to elevate their leadership skills."
Christine Mikhael, CEO, LJ Hooker Group
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"The world – and the world of work – has changed for us all, and business leaders must evolve their thinking and their leadership styles in order to meet business objectives in an environment where people and talent are the true source of competitive advantage. Through research, his own experiences, and interviews with global experts and thought leaders, Jarrod has created an immensely valuable handbook for CEOs and business leaders that can help them understand the skills and approaches necessary to lead their teams well. The future of work will certainly be volatile and uncertain, but it is also full of opportunity for those who lead their teams and their businesses well."
Jennifer McClure, CEO, Unbridled Talent, and Chief Excitement Officer, DisruptHR LLC
