ELE brings leaders together across companies and industries to work through the messy stuff: decisions, risk, handoffs, execution drag, and what it takes to move from idea to action.

UPCOMING CALENDAR

LATEST IDEA EXCHANGE

RECENT INSIGHTS

WHO WE ARE

About ELE

Companies In Our Network

Contact ELE

Figure out if ELE is for you. Straight answers on what ELE is, who it’s built for, and how contributing members actually work together. Still have a question? Contact us.

DX Learning Solutions

ELE Group, LLC

Session Overview:
In the Midwest, “nice” is a leadership default, but not always a performance driver.

While being nice can create short-term harmony, it often results in long-term dysfunction: avoided conversations, a lack of clarity, and underperformance cloaked in politeness.
In this interactive, no-fluff session, <a style="font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;" href="https://www.ele.llc/members/alex-draper" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alex Draper</a> (Founder of DX Learning and author of CARE to Win®) and <a style="font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;" href="https://www.ele.llc/members/richard-rykhus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Richard Rykhus</a> (Head of Global L&amp;D at Shure) challenge the norm of “Midwest Nice” and introduce a new, practical standard: Kind Leadership, where leaders lead with a system that build an environment where candor and care can flourish.

Why? Because culture is a mirror of leadership. And if leaders model avoidance or ambiguity under the guise of being "nice," those habits cascade through teams.
This session invites HR, Talent, and Learning professionals to explore what it takes to evolve their culture from comfortable avoidance to courageous alignment.
.
<img class="aligncenter wp-image-8919" src="https://wp.ele.llc/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/DraperAlex-crop.jpg" alt="Experiential Learning:" width="946" height="512" />

What You’ll Experience
Through candid storytelling and peer-driven discussion, you’ll explore:

<ul>
 	<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
 	<li>Why “nice” is often rooted in conflict avoidance, not care—and how it undermines trust and performance</li>
 	<li>How “kind” leaders use clarity to reduce ambiguity, accountability to inspire ownership, and care to build trust</li>
 	<li>Real-world examples of nice in action and example from those shifting norms without sacrificing empathy</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
You’ll also reflect on your organization’s spot on the DX Nice–Kind Spectrum, and leave with actionable tools to:
<ul>
 	<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
 	<li>Hold people accountable without being harsh</li>
 	<li>Offer feedback without micromanaging</li>
 	<li>Build psychological safety without enabling underperformance</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Who Should Join
This session is designed for HR, Talent, and L&amp;D leaders across the Midwest who want culture to show up in day-to-day behaviors, not just posters and slogans.
If you're responsible for:
<ul>
 	<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
 	<li>Building trust across levels</li>
 	<li>Helping managers lead through ambiguity</li>
 	<li>Making performance expectations more human and more clear</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
…this session is for you.
You'll connect with peers facing similar cultural friction points—especially in organizations where kindness and courage need to coexist.

How It Works
We’ll start with a short insight from Alex Draper (drawing from CARE to Win®) and then move into real-time reflection and peer dialogue.
Together, we’ll unpack:
<ul>
 	<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
 	<li>How to build clarity without control</li>
 	<li>How to set high standards without shame</li>
 	<li>How to use empathy without enabling</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
This isn’t theory. You’ll walk away with:
<ul>
 	<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
 	<li>Practical tools to embed CARE (Clarity, Autonomy, Relationships, Equity) into your culture</li>
 	<li>A lens to assess where leadership behaviors might be blocking performance</li>
 	<li>A renewed sense of possibility for your role in reshaping norms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Why This Matters Now
According to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace report, only 23% of employees are engaged globally, and trust in leadership is at a historic low.
Midwestern cultures, often defined by humility and harmony, risk stagnation if discomfort is avoided. As Alex Draper writes:

<blockquote data-start="1038" data-end="1155">
“Empathy without clarity is enabling. Clarity without empathy is cruelty. But together, they unlock accountability with care.”
</blockquote>
Want to go deeper?
This discussion draws on Care to Win: The 4 Leadership Habits to Build High-Performing Teams (Revised Edition) (Oct 28, 2025).
Explore the book on <a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/bookshelf?member=alex-draper">Alex's ELE Bookshelf</a>
Join the ELE Conversation
These every-other-Friday discussions are part of ELE’s ongoing peer exchange for leaders shaping talent and work in the AI era. Come ready to listen, contribute, and learn alongside peers testing ideas in real organizations and sharing what they’re learning.
Recordings are posted to <a href="https://www.ele.llc/insights">ELE Insights</a> within 2–4 business days.
&nbsp;

Beyond Midwest Nice: Building high performing environments of Clarity, Candor, and Courage

single-event

future of work

Your Teams

Learning Circles

digital transformation

alex.draper

innovation

upskilling

leadership development

talent development

richard.rykhus

Complimentary

online event

complimentary event

Talent Strategy

Culture Change

psychological safety

collaboration

accountability

trust

employee experience

Future of Work

Engagement &amp; Culture

continuous learning

reskilling

L&amp;D

performance

matt.sernaker

organizational culture

david.scherer

manager effectiveness

HR leaders

AI in HR

change leadership

workplace adaptation

knowledge sharing

High Performing Teams

actionable insights

practical strategies

cindy.pinkstaffmiller

people-first leadership

1Q2026

AI and learning

AI reskilling

leadership habits

care to win

Alex Draper

DX Learning

learning leaders

values in action

leadership in practice

Human Synergistics

Get a quick taste of Human Synergistics’ Subarctic Survival Simulation—then step back to reflect with peers on why immersive experiences like this are so powerful for leadership development and change readiness. In just 45 minutes, you’ll see how decision-making under pressure connects directly to strategy, collaboration, and preparing leaders for what’s next.

Survive to Lead | What a Survival Simulation Reveals About Leading Through Uncertainty

experiential learning

Leadership

Performance Improvement

CHIE2025

decision making

Change Readiness

Leadership Training

michael.kern

practical insights

human synergistics

immersive learning

survival simulation

leading through uncertainty

strategy execution

collaboration skills

UL Solutions

Burns Bright Consulting

In this 45-minute panel discussion, Jennifer Rainey will moderate a discussion on exploring how belonging fuels engagement, innovation, and wellbeing for the next generation. Through a dynamic conversation we’ll examine how leaders can intentionally design cultures where people flourish—and where leadership itself becomes sustainable.

What if thriving at work came down to two simple shifts—leading with love and living with intention? Drawing inspiration from The Power of Love in Business and All In! The 28-Day Reset, this discussion explores how trust, courage, and compassion create high-performing, resilient teams. Expect to walk away with “Seven to Heaven” principles and small daily resets you can apply immediately to strengthen belonging and wellbeing across your organization.

📚 Related Readings:
<ul>
 	<li><a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/bookshelf/becoming-a-human-organization-transforming-work-touching-lives" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Becoming a Human Organization, Transforming Work, Touching Lives | ELE Group</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/bookshelf/the-power-of-love-in-business-12-principles-to-help-you-and-your-business-thrive" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Power of Love in Business: 12 Principles to Help You and Your Business Thrive | ELE Group</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/bookshelf/all-in-the-28-day-reset" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">All In! The 28 Day Reset: A Daily Commitment to Being at Your Best | ELE Group</a></li>
</ul>

Becoming a Human Organization | Simple Shifts for Transforming Work and Touching Lives

azizeh.constantinescu

employee engagement

belonging

wellbeing

HR Strategy

leadership principles

Talent Retention

Sustainable Leadership

owen.burns

Culture Transformation

ali.glaser

human organization

senior HR leaders

compassionate leadership

intentional design

Zurich North America

Lead Belay

This interactive discussion reminded us that culture doesn’t live in a handbook — it lives in how people lead, connect, and perform every day.

<blockquote data-start="465" data-end="647">
“Everyone is a leader—it’s not a title. It’s how we behave every day to drive performance and culture.” — <a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/melissa-versino" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Melissa Versino</a>, Zurich North America
</blockquote>
Melissa and her team at Zurich reframed leadership as a shared behavior, not a role. Their Manager Essentials journey moved beyond traditional training to build a manager core that actively drives performance — blending mindset, feedback, and ownership with the practical use of AI-enabled coaching.
The message was clear: culture is everyone’s job, but managers set the tone. They are the engine of both accountability and belonging.
<a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/mike-kester" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Michael Kester</a> of Lead Belay added another critical layer:

<blockquote data-start="1151" data-end="1265">
“When a team has psychological safety, clear communication, and alignment, they’re going to be unstoppable.”
</blockquote>
It’s a reminder that sustainable performance isn’t built on productivity alone — it thrives when people feel safe enough to be honest, aligned enough to move fast, and supported enough to learn through the messy parts.
And as <a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/ana-bedard" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ana Bedard</a> reflected,

<blockquote data-start="1526" data-end="1650">
“High-performance cultures happen when everyone takes radical ownership—no one says, ‘that’s someone else’s problem.”
</blockquote>
That mindset of shared ownership may be the real differentiator between high-performing teams and simply busy ones.
Together, these insights challenge us to look beyond “training programs” and toward capability ecosystems that connect leadership, culture, and practice — from onboarding to executive learning.
Because when everyone leads, teams align, and ownership takes root… culture stops being a slogan and starts becoming a system.


<hr data-start="2096" data-end="2099" />

<h3 data-start="2101" data-end="2125">🔑 Key Takeaways</h3>
<ol data-start="2127" data-end="2885">
 	<li data-start="2127" data-end="2285">
Culture must be defined—and felt. It’s not a value statement but an emotional experience that leaders shape daily through behavior and connection.
</li>
 	<li data-start="2287" data-end="2447">
Managers are the engine of performance. Zurich redefined management as core work, not “extra” work — giving leaders confidence to lead people first.
</li>
 	<li data-start="2449" data-end="2601">
Mindset change precedes skill change. Shifting from risk avoidance to results orientation requires rewiring habits, not just adding content.
</li>
 	<li data-start="2603" data-end="2739">
Practice makes culture real. AI feedback role-play and peer circles help translate leadership concepts into daily behaviors.
</li>
 	<li data-start="2741" data-end="2885">
Shared ownership drives scale. Culture grows when leaders, managers, and employees each take responsibility for driving performance.
</li>
</ol>

<hr data-start="2887" data-end="2890" />

<h3 data-start="2892" data-end="2951">🧩 Practical Actions for Talent Development Leaders</h3>
<ol data-start="2953" data-end="3671">
 	<li data-start="2953" data-end="3104">
Redefine leadership as a shared responsibility. Embed “everyone is a leader” expectations into hiring, onboarding, and performance systems.
</li>
 	<li data-start="3106" data-end="3260">
Equip managers to act as capability builders. Blend human coaching with AI-enabled practice for feedback, prioritization, and decision-making.
</li>
 	<li data-start="3262" data-end="3420">
Localize learning without losing alignment. Partner with business units to tailor examples and scenarios that reflect their real-world challenges.
</li>
 	<li data-start="3422" data-end="3539">
Close the knowing–doing gap. Move beyond theory by building practice loops into your leadership programs.
</li>
 	<li data-start="3541" data-end="3671">
Measure what matters. Track not only participation and NPS but also behavioral shifts that indicate cultural traction.
</li>
</ol>

<hr data-start="3673" data-end="3676" />

<h3 data-start="3678" data-end="3714">💬 Continue the Conversation</h3>
High performance isn’t built in classrooms — it’s cultivated in community. Start the discussion in the <a href="https://www.ele.llc/idea-exchange" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ELE Idea Exchange</a> to continue the conversation explore how organizations are reshaping leadership capability, culture, and performance together.

Building Capability to Support a High Performing Culture

dirk.tussing

mike.kester

melissa.versino

colin.hahn

lorna.malloy

ana.bedard

AI in Learning

diana.anderson

tanya.tatera

Leadership Mindset

Manager Training

vanessa.penkala

4Q2025

brittany.shimek

manager capability

performance culture

inclusion and belonging

feedback culture

leadership capability

No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving—every day. James Clear, one of the world's leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.

If you're having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn't you. The problem is your system. Bad habits repeat themselves again and again not because you don't want to change, but because you have the wrong system for change. You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Here, you'll get a proven system that can take you to new heights.

Clear is known for his ability to distill complex topics into simple behaviors that can be easily applied to daily life and work. Here, he draws on the most proven ideas from biology, psychology, and neuroscience to create an easy-to-understand guide for making good habits inevitable and bad habits impossible. Along the way, readers will be inspired and entertained with true stories from Olympic gold medalists, award-winning artists, business leaders, life-saving physicians, and star comedians who have used the science of small habits to master their craft and vault to the top of their field.

Learn how to:
<ul>
 	<li>Make time for new habits (even when life gets crazy)</li>
 	<li>Overcome a lack of motivation and willpower</li>
 	<li>Design your environment to make success easier</li>
 	<li>- Get back on track when you fall off course</li>
 	<li>...and much more.</li>
</ul>
Atomic Habits will reshape the way you think about progress and success, and give you the tools and strategies you need to transform your habits--whether you are a team looking to win a championship, an organization hoping to redefine an industry, or simply an individual who wishes to quit smoking, lose weight, reduce stress, or achieve any other goal.

Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones

leadership

Change Management

heather.tunison

continuous improvement

yolanda.mangram

Personal Growth

HR leadership

Habit Formation

Productivity Tips

Small Wins

Mindset Shift

Sustainable Success

laura.sandera

anthony.candelario

michelle.eide

terresa.bubbers

catherine.hebel

Four years ago, I wrote CARE to Win with one mission — to help people-first leaders scale human-centered, high-performing teams through the simple, science-backed habits of Clarity, Autonomy, Relationships, and Equity.

A great deal has changed over the past four years. What began as a framework rooted in empathy, neuroscience, and lived leadership experience has evolved through thousands of hours in the field, where training, listening, failing, learning, and growing alongside leaders in organizations worldwide have taken place.

This revised edition of The CARE Equation brings those hard-earned insights to the forefront. It’s not just a refresh. It’s a reflection of what it takes to be an unforgettable leader in today’s increasingly complex workplace.

Since that first edition, CARE has grown far beyond a book:
✅ Registered Clarity, Autonomy, Relationships, and Equity® as a trademark.
✅ Built a full suite of leadership development programs grounded in CARE for all levels of leaders.
✅ Partnered with clients who’ve won Brandon Hall Awards, implementing CARE within their organizations.
✅ Created validated CARE Assessments with measurable ROI and real-world case studies.
✅ Earned major contracts with globally recognized brands, transforming their leaders and culture through CARE.
✅ Designed and delivered transformative keynotes that bring people-first leadership to life, building culture champions from the ground up.

We’ve learned a lot over the past four years, from the science of trust and psychological safety to the realities of leading in hybrid, high-change, tech-driven environments. Every one of those lessons is now woven into this revised edition, available globally for the first time.

CARE to Win delves deeply into the real work of leadership by focusing on what matters most, people.

💡 Manage your biases. Learn how to recognize and interrupt the invisible patterns that erode trust and limit performance. Better self-awareness = better leadership.
💡 Build psychological safety. Discover how to lead teams that speak up, challenge ideas, and thrive, even under pressure.
💡 Act on insight. Access simple, practical frameworks and real-world stories that make it easy to turn “aha” moments into daily leadership habits.

This isn’t theory, it’s what we’ve seen work in the trenches with leaders across industries and continents.

I couldn’t be prouder of what this movement has become, or more excited to share what’s next.

Care to Win: The 4 Leadership Habits to Build High-Performing Teams (Revised Edition)

Login