LETTER FROM THE FOUNDERS

Leadership comes in many forms. Sometimes, it comes through an individual willing to take the reins and drive an initiative forward. Sometimes, we see it in a person motivating and encouraging a team. But leadership almost always includes someone willing to do something others will not. Someone willing to take a risk. In this edition of The Jabian Journal, we uncover some of those risk-taking leadership decisions and examine how executives can help move their companies forward by being stronger leaders.

Our feature article, “Short-Termism: The Corporate Achilles Heel,” explores the dangers of short-term corporate thinking, and offers insight into how companies can separate themselves from their competition and provide increased stakeholder value by refocusing on longer-term goals and the company mission. “Making Strategic and Operational Product Decisions Using the Voice of the Customer” explains how a systematic approach to listening to customers can improve business strategy and uncover opportunities. In “The Manager as Leader, Coach, and Enabler,” the author explains how leaders don’t just lead from the front, but also from the side to improve team and individual performance.

For superior examples of leadership, look no further than our three featured interviewees. Dave MacAdam, senior manager of innovation strategies at Novelis, created his role with the company to make sure it maintained a leadership position. Michael Coles, co-founder of Great American Cookie Company and former CEO of Caribou Coffee Company, personifies what it means to be a leader by taking smart risks. His unique perspective on the lesson from the story of David and Goliath should not be missed. Linda Hudson, CEO of The Cardea Group and former CEO of defense giant BAE Systems, didn’t break the mold; she created it. As a pioneering female engineer and executive in a predominantly male field, she rose to the top to become one of the most formidable experts in the defense industry.

At Jabian, we believe in the value of continual learning and development. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or an aspiring one, we hope the articles that follow inspire you to challenge yourself, your peers, and your company to continually look for ways to grow both personally and professionally.

We hope you enjoy this edition of The Jabian Journal, and we welcome your feedback.

Thanks,
Chris, Brian, and Nigel—The Jabian Founding Partners