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.

Do you wish you could stop the mayhem of work and life and just take a minute? Do you sense you could contribute more if there were a little more room in the day? Does busyness deprive you and your burnt-out team of the oxygen your talents need to catch fire?

Many have felt that way, yet taking a pause has seemed impossible—until now.

In A Minute to Think, Juliet Funt, a globally recognized warrior in the battle against busyness, provides a powerful guide that will give you the permission, framework, and specific direction you need to do the following:
<ul class="a-unordered-list a-vertical">
 	<li>Regain control of your overloaded, caffeinated, inbox-worshiping workday</li>
 	<li>Liberate yourself and your teams from burnout and busywork</li>
 	<li>Reclaim creativity and focus despite the chaos around you</li>
 	<li>Bring thoughtfulness into designing your next work norms</li>
 	<li>Tame the beast of email and escape the mire of meetings</li>
 	<li>Find your precious minute to think</li>
</ul>
You’re not alone in your yearning for freedom from constant reactivity. The global workforce today is so fried that it belongs in the food court of a county fair. We’re relentlessly behind the curve, dousing fires everywhere, and our 3 a.m. insomnia provides the only unscheduled thinking time of the day.

What we need reinserted in our lives is the missing element of white space—short periods of open, unscheduled time that, when recaptured, change the very nature of work. White space is the stepping back, the strategic pause, the oxygen that allows the sparks of our efforts to catch fire. White space has the power to radically—and simply—reinvent the way we approach work in this maxed-out, post-COVID 21st-century world.

With Juliet’s memorable stories, easy-to-use tools, and razor-sharp instruction, she carves for us an escape route from the overwhelming amount of low-value tasks and the daily avalanche of e-mails, meetings, decks, and reports. Using research, client stories, and a relatable voice, Juliet shows all of us how to reclaim time for thinking and make room for what truly matters. Whether you are an individual trying to build a more sane and humane flow of daily work, a team that wants new levels of efficiency and effectiveness, or an entire organization changing your culture toward thoughtfulness, this book will lead you there.

A Minute to Think: Reclaim Creativity, Conquer Busyness, and Do Your Best Work

innovation

julian.malnak

nancy.dome

denis.sternberg

Performance Improvement

time management

productivity

work-life balance

Creativity

Self-Improvement

Mindfulness

Personal Growth

workplace efficiency

Professional Development

stress management

effective work habits

katrina.nordquist

deepa.kartha

<div style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; color: #333; line-height: 1.8; max-width: 850px; margin: auto; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;">
<h4 style="font-size: 1.75rem; color: #1a1a1a; margin-top: 2.5rem; margin-bottom: 1.2rem; border-left: 5px solid #cc0000; padding-left: 15px; text-align: left; line-height: 1.3;">From Individual Mindset to Organizational Culture</h4>
For years, we’ve treated the "growth mindset" as a personal trait—something an employee either has or doesn’t. In Cultures of Growth, Mary Murphy flips this narrative. She argues that mindset is not just an internal belief; it is a feature of the environment.
A "Culture of Genius" (fixed mindset) worships innate talent and star performers, which ironically breeds risk-aversion and internal competition. In contrast, a "Culture of Growth" assumes that talent can be developed in anyone given the right support. For ELE members, this book is a call to stop hunting for "unicorns" and start building "forests" where everyone has the soil to grow.


<hr style="border: 0; border-top: 1px solid #eee; margin: 2.5rem 0;" />

<h4 style="font-size: 1.75rem; color: #1a1a1a; margin-top: 2.5rem; margin-bottom: 1.2rem; border-left: 5px solid #cc0000; padding-left: 15px; text-align: left; line-height: 1.3;">The Blueprint: The Mindset Continuum and Triggers</h4>
Murphy moves away from the "either/or" binary and introduces a more nuanced framework for how organizations actually function:

<ul style="padding-left: 25px; margin-bottom: 2.5rem;">
 	<li style="margin-bottom: 1.2rem;">The Mindset Continuum: Both individuals and organizations move along a spectrum between fixed and growth mindsets depending on the situation.</li>
 	<li style="margin-bottom: 1.2rem;">The Four Triggers: Murphy identifies specific "situations" that push teams toward a fixed mindset. Leaders must learn to manage these triggers:
<ul style="padding-left: 25px; margin-top: 0.5rem;">
 	<li>Evaluative Situations: When performance is being judged (e.g., annual reviews).</li>
 	<li>High-Effort Situations: When the work gets difficult or a deadline is tight.</li>
 	<li>Critical Feedback: How people react to being told they missed the mark.</li>
 	<li>The Success of Others: Whether a colleague’s win feels like an inspiration or a threat.</li>
</ul>
</li>
 	<li style="margin-bottom: 1.2rem;">Cultures of Genius vs. Cultures of Growth: She contrasts companies like Enron (genius-obsessed) with the transformation of Microsoft under Satya Nadella (growth-obsessed), showing how the latter leads to higher ethical standards and better long-term results.</li>
</ul>

<hr style="border: 0; border-top: 1px solid #eee; margin: 2.5rem 0;" />

<h4 style="font-size: 1.75rem; color: #1a1a1a; margin-top: 2.5rem; margin-bottom: 1.2rem; border-left: 5px solid #cc0000; padding-left: 15px; text-align: left; line-height: 1.3;">Why It Matters for the ELE Community</h4>
As senior leaders shaping the future of work, Murphy’s research provides the strategic "why" behind your most important culture initiatives:

<ul style="padding-left: 25px; margin-bottom: 2.5rem;">
 	<li style="margin-bottom: 1.2rem;">Sustainable Innovation: In a "Culture of Genius," people are afraid to look "un-smart," so they stop taking risks. ELE members can use this book to justify the "psychological safety" needed for true innovation.</li>
 	<li style="margin-bottom: 1.2rem;">Authentic Equity: Murphy highlights that a "Culture of Genius" often excludes diverse talent who don't fit the stereotypical mold of a "prodigy." A growth culture is inherently more inclusive because it values potential and effort over pedigree.</li>
 	<li style="margin-bottom: 1.2rem;">Operationalizing Mindset: The book offers a "Cues Audit"—a practical tool for HR and L&amp;D leaders to examine their policies, language, and rewards to see if they are accidentally incentivizing a fixed mindset.</li>
</ul>

<hr style="border: 0; border-top: 1px solid #eee; margin: 2.5rem 0;" />

<div style="font-style: italic; color: #444; background-color: #f4f4f4; padding: 30px; border-radius: 12px; border-right: 5px solid #cc0000;">Mindset is not a solo sport; it is a collective environment we build through every policy, meeting, and piece of feedback. When we shift from a "culture of genius" to a "culture of growth," we stop being judges of talent and start being architects of potential. The most successful organizations of the future won't be those with the smartest people, but those that make it easiest for everyone to become smarter together.</div>
</div>

Cultures of Growth: How the New Science of Mindset Can Transform Individuals, Teams, and Organizations

leadership

Engagement &amp; Culture

dirk.tussing

Change Management

inclusion

edward.desrosiers

growth mindset

leadership development

performance management

talent management

systems thinking

employee engagement

psychological safety

workforce development

organizational culture

Personal Development

mindset psychology

workplace productivity

positivepsychology

transformative learning

rebecca.holmlund

adam.walleser

L&amp;D strategy

Tags (ready to copy and paste): growth mindset

equity and inclusion

WALL STREET JOURNAL BUSINESS BESTSELLER
AN AMAZON BEST BOOK OF 2O16 PICK IN BUSINESS &amp; LEADERSHIP
Master one of our economy’s most rare skills and achieve groundbreaking results with this “exciting” book (Daniel H. Pink) from an “exceptional” author (New York TimesBook Review).
In our distracted modern economy, the coveted skill of deep work—the ability to focus intensely without interruption on demanding mental tasks—has never been rarer or more valuable. As Cal Newport argues in Deep Work, this superpower boosts your career success and provides meaning, yet most squander it by endlessly checking email and social media.
<blockquote>💥 The key for Deep Work
(Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World)
is training your mind and habits.
<ol>
 	<li>Work Deeply</li>
 	<li>Embrace Boredom</li>
 	<li>Quit Social Media</li>
 	<li>Drain the Shallows</li>
</ol>
</blockquote>
Newport makes the compelling case that cultivating deep work enhances your impact. He offers a practical four-part regimen for training your mind: work with laser-like focus free of distractions; embrace boredom instead of constant entertainment; quit social media; and avoid shallow obligations that don't engage your talents. Newport supports this advice with stories of legends like Carl Jung who structured their lives around deep work.
Deep Work provides an urgent roadmap for focus amid the digital discord. In our multitasking world where everyone is distracted, deep work is the key to standing out as an achiever. This skill allows you to quickly master the most difficult information and produce your best work. Deep Work gives you a competitive edge.

Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World

Leadership

tracey.wik

chris.edwards

marti.konstant

effectiveness

motivation

performance

Focus

Concentration

Digital Distraction

Career

Success

Goal Setting

Technology

This thin volume contains wisdom, scientific facts, and insights from significant figures, all in the service of planning a meaningful future. A thought-provoking work that bears rereading—Kirkus

…greatness is achievable by all of us. In this slim tome, [Lasting Contribution] incorporates ideas from Aristotle to Sun Tzu to provide a framework to accomplish things in life that will live on after your passing—Chicago Tribune

…it may be small, but this book is mighty—CEO Middle East

Lasting Contribution

Coaching

purpose

tad.waddington

lasting contribution

contribution

work

philosophy

meaning

Aristotle

Sun Tzu

Behavioral scientist Alison Fragale offers powerful new insights and a practical playbook for women to advance in any workplace, full of tips, tricks, and strategies to help secure that elusive corner office.

Over decades of research, speaking engagements, and mentorship, psychologist and professor Alison Fragale encountered recurring questions from high-powered and early-career women alike: How do women thread the needle of kindness and competence in the workplace? How can women earn credit for their accomplishments, negotiate better, and navigate complex office politics without losing the goodwill of their peers?

Fragale investigated and determined that many women's workplace issues boil down to what psychologists call status: the perception of them by others. No amount of power—no degree, title, or paycheck—will raise a woman's workplace stature unless it also affects how others see her. Acknowledging this roadblock, Fragale pulls back the curtain on how we can change how others see us by developing our standing as a "likeable badass." By cultivating perceptions of warmth and assertiveness, women can achieve the kind of reputation that leads to a seat at the table and a fulfilling career path.

Likeable Badass is equal parts behavioral science and life hacks, weaving together rigorous research with actionable advice and impactful stories from a diverse array of women. This is a warm, heartening book written for women, their allies, and anyone who struggles to rise and wants evidence-based, practical strategies for success, served with a side of inspiration and humor.

Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve

angie.zeigler

marty.murrillo

mentorship

Professional Growth

Women in Leadership

Negotiation Skills

behavioral science

"business psychology"

women in business

workplace success

career advancement

likeable badass

Alison Fragale

women's empowerment

status perception

workplace strategies

workplace politics

women leaders

career tips

office dynamics

assertiveness

warmth in leadership

women's workplace issues

career hacks

inspiring women

gender equity

workplace confidence

catherine.hebel

You've got a rare empty slot in your diary today, squeezed between meetings, phone calls and dealing with the incessant incoming emails. You can grab a sandwich, power through and run yourself down, or you can STOP. You can pick up this book, choose a chapter that inspires you and learn something new.

This isn't a time for standing still; developing and growing as a leader is imperative if you want your team and company to be successful. Lunchtime Learning for Leaders is an actionable guide to everything you need to know to be a successful leader. Each chapter is a short-burst overview of a key leadership challenge thousands of leaders before you have faced and successfully tackled with the help of the author Lucy Ryan. And all of them can be mastered in under an hour! From leading your team through change, adapting your leadership style to the task at hand, gathering influence to building resilience, this book is your essential guide to becoming the best leader you can be.

Dedicate just a few hours and invest in Lunchtime Learning for Leaders. You will reap the benefits and come out better prepared for whatever comes next on your business leadership journey.

Lunchtime Learning for Leaders: 16 Ways to Grow Your Resilience and Influence

effective leadership

emotional intelligence

resilience building

influence skills

workplace skills

leadership strategies

In The 6% Club, The Change Doctor Michelle Rozen, PhD, teaches audiences and readers how to create and actually stick to new positive habits, unlocking the secret formula to the life, success, and happiness they've always dreamed of. The book was born from a recent study where Dr. Rozen surveyed 1,000 people who pledged to make a change in their lives, and, shockingly, only 6% had stuck to the change just a month later.

Dr. Rozen's powerful, uplifting, and actionable methods have been tested on countless event attendees from all types of background for over a decade. In this book, readers will learn how to:
<ul class="a-unordered-list a-vertical">
 	<li>Work out more, eat healthier, save more money, do better in business, or attain any other personal or professional goal</li>
 	<li>Make changes solo, or with another individual like a friend or partner</li>
 	<li>Stop making excuses, giving up, or putting it off—effortlessly</li>
</ul>
Based on science and written by one of the most sought-after motivational speakers on leadership and change, The 6% Club earns a well-deserved spot on the bookshelves of all individuals looking to make lasting changes in their personal and professional lives.

The 6% Club: Unlock the Secret to Achieving Any Goal and Thriving in Business and Life

resilience

Overcoming Obstacles

business success

Habit Formation

laura.sandera

Success Habits

Achieving Goals

Positive Change

Life Success

One of the most inspiring and impactful books ever written, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People has captivated readers for nearly three decades. It has transformed the lives of presidents and CEOs, educators and parents -- millions of people of all ages and occupations. Now, this 30th Anniversary Edition of the timeless classic commemorates the wisdom of the 7 Habits with modern additions from Sean Covey.

The 7 Habits have become famous and are integrated into everyday thinking by millions and millions of people. Why? Because they work!

With Sean Covey's added takeaways on how the habits can be used in our modern age, the wisdom of the 7 Habits will be refreshed for a new generation of leaders.

They include:

Habit 1: Be Proactive
Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind
Habit 3: Put First Things First
Habit 4: Think Win/Win
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood
Habit 6: Synergize
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw

This beloved classic presents a principle-centered approach for solving both personal and professional problems. With penetrating insights and practical anecdotes, Stephen R. Covey reveals a step-by-step pathway for living with fairness, integrity, honesty, and human dignity -- principles that give us the security to adapt to change and the wisdom and power to take advantage of the opportunities that change creates.

Login