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The New Playbook of Teamwork The New Playbook of Teamwork equips leaders and teams to solve complex challenges faster and smarter in today’s AI-driven workplace. You’ll learn how to spark deeper insight, align around a clear vision, unlock ideas worth pursuing, and build plans that keep momentum alive. With the VIPEi framework, you’ll execute without burnout, iterate without bureaucracy, and foster a culture of inclusion and innovation—ensuring your team doesn’t just perform, but thrives. The pace of challenges today demands more than hard work—it requires a new rhythm for collaboration. This playbook pushes you to elevate how your team thinks, communicates, and creates together. By combining proven strategies with AI-enabled tools, you’ll replace stalled meetings with real momentum, reduce burnout by aligning energy with outcomes, and transform scattered efforts into shared breakthroughs. The result? Teams that move faster, innovate smarter, and stay resilient in the face of constant change. How Top Performers Use Conversation, Collaboration, and AI to Solve Big Challenges Faster Contact Us Contact us about small group and large group trainings. Read the Executive Summary of The New Playbook of Teamwork - How Top Performers Use Conversations, Collaboration, and AI to Solve Big Challenges Faster Executive Summary Listen to The New Playbook of Teamwork Deep Dive Conversation: Read the Executive Summary & Listen to the Deep Dive Conversation The New Playbook of Teamwork Digital eBook: A concise, actionable guide that shows you how to unlock smarter collaboration and innovation. Teamwork Rhythm Framework (VIPEi): A proven system that keeps teams aligned, energized, and moving faster together. Leadership & Team Prompts Pack: Exclusive AI-powered prompts to spark better questions, sharper vision, and bolder ideas. Implementation Play Sheets: Simple, ready-to-use tools that turn theory into action inside your team right away. Practical Inclusion Rules: A set of powerful, team-tested principles that create trust, safety, and innovation at every level. The New Playbook of Teamwork Package Includes What You'll Experience in the Full New Playbook of Teamwork Program Collective review of team dynamics, communication patterns, and current challenges. Introduction to the VIPEi Framework—clarifying how Insight, Vision, Ideation, Planning, Execution, and Iteration build a new rhythm of teamwork. Teamwide assessment to surface strengths, blind spots, and alignment opportunities. Practical exercises to practice “starting with Insight” and building clarity before solving. Session 1: Assessment and Insight Alignment (3–4 hrs) Facilitation of Vision exercises to define shared goals and success measures. Application of the 10 Rules of Ideation to create a safe, inclusive space for bold ideas. Guided practice in moving from ideas to structured, right-sized plans that protect momentum. Use of AI-supported tools to expand ideation, test assumptions, and strengthen planning clarity. Session 2: Vision, Ideation, and Planning in Action (3–4 hrs) Team coaching on executing without burnout—building energy, accountability, and support structures. Application of 10 Rules of Inclusion to strengthen trust, psychological safety, and collaboration. Practice in low-stakes iteration loops to refine work without bureaucracy or bottlenecks. Creation of a Team Rhythm Playbook—a customized guide that captures agreements, norms, and AI-enabled practices to sustain long-term performance. Session 3: Execution, Iteration, Sustainable Team Rhythms (3–4 hrs) The New Playbook of Teamwork training will help leaders build the skills today’s organizations demand most. More than a framework, this training gives you the tools to solve big challenges faster with smarter collaboration, practical conversation strategies, and AI integration. Leaders who apply these principles strengthen critical competencies, including: Vision and Strategic Clarity – framing challenges and opportunities in ways that mobilize teams. High-Impact Communication – leading conversations that inspire trust, reduce resistance, and drive action. Collaboration Across Silos – breaking down barriers and creating alignment between functions. Decision-Making Agility – applying AI and team intelligence to move faster with confidence. Innovation Under Pressure – fostering environments where fresh ideas surface, get tested, and scale. This training combines decades of leadership research with real-world application to help you navigate complexity, accelerate results, and elevate the performance of your team. What Training Will Include: Get Started with solving big challenges! Contact us about small group and large group trainings to get started. Contact us First name* Last name* Email* Company Name* Position* I am interested in (Select all that apply). Small Team Training Large Team Training Company Wide Training One-on-one training/coaching for better utilizing my VIPE strengths in the workplace. I would like information on getting Lynda McNutt Foster as a Keynote speaker. Other Is there any additional information you can provide about your Team that will help us personalize your training sessions specifically to your team?* Submit Ready to Solve Big Challenges Faster?

Level 4: Executive Leadership Coaching to Organizational Peak Performance Your leadership impact will be greatly affected by the competencies you are able to build a foundation for and enhance as you adjust to changing working environments and market conditions. Deciding which ones you will need the most in the coming 1-3 years is a critical success factor in achieving the outcomes you want you, your team, and your organization to achieve. Review the following information to ensure an understanding of each competency, complete the spreadsheet provided, and then review it with whom you report to so that you can ensure alignment. This information will be used to create your Cortex Leadership Development Plan that you will utilize during your executive coaching journey. Step 1: Review the Leadership Competencies Selection and Instruction Guide Guide Step 2: Review the Executive Leaders Mission Statement Mission Statement Step 3: Complete the Value Portion You will need this Value List to complete Part one of the Leadership Mission Statement exercise. Values Exercise Step 4: Complete the rest of the Mission Statement Step 5: Leadership Competencies Consider your Top 4 Leadership Competencies and why developing those are the most important in the coming year. Assessment Step 6: Review with your Supervisor It is best, when you complete this exercise, to review it with who you report to in order to get their feedback.

< Back The Meeting Trap Are your meetings helping or hurting productivity? Meeting Should Drive Results-Not Waste Time How many meetings did you attend last week? Now, how many of those meetings actually drove progress? Meetings should be a tool for execution-not a placeholder for indecision. Yet, many leaders fall into the trap of: Default meetings - recurring calls that no one questions No clear agenda - conversations go in circles No decision-making - forcing another follow-up meeting Here's how to make meetings work for you: Audit your recurring meetings. Cancel any that don't serve a clear purpose. Use AI-driven summaries instead of spending hours on debriefs. End every meeting with an action step. IF there's no decision, the meeting failed. Want to reclaim your time? Watch this 1-minute leadership insight on fixing bad meetings. [Insert Video Clip] Previous Next

Time Mastery 2.0 Executive Accelerator Personalized Coaching System The Time Mastery 2.0 Executive Accelerator rapidly equips leaders like you with essential competencies for success in today's fast-paced, AI-driven environment. You will master strategic time and priority management, develop greater adaptability and agility, enhance decision-making and problem-solving capabilities, and effectively integrate AI and technology into their daily workflows. Additionally, you'll strengthen communication and collaboration skills, foster continuous learning, and build intellectual curiosity, ensuring you, your team, and organization are well-prepared for the future. The level of learning you will need to create time for each week requires that you elevate your leadership performance by mastering your most valuable asset - your time. Our specialized, high-impact coaching package delivers personalized insights, actionable strategies, and AI-driven enhancements to ensure immediate results and sustainable success. Contact us about small group and large group trainings. Contact Us Read the Executive Summary of Time Mastery 2.0 Executive Summary Listen to the Time Mastery 2.0 Deep Dive Corecast Episode : Read the Time Mastery 2.0 Executive Summary & Corcast Episode Time Mastery 2.0 Digital eBook: Your comprehensive, step-by-step guide. Customized AI Profile: A personalized AI-driven leadership blueprint to help you identify you key areas of focus to accelerate your growth in your career trajectory in the age of AI. 3 One-on-One Coaching Sessions with a Cortex Certified Executive Coach: Direct, focused guidance and accountability from your dedicated coach. Exclusive Access to AI Tools: Curated list and training on AI solutions that streamline your productivity and elevate your strategic thinking. Personalized Action Planner: Clear, customized plans tailored to your unique leadership goals and organizational outcomes. Your Full Time Mastery 2.0 Executive Accelerator Package Would Include What You'll Experience in the One-On-One Coaching Sessions with the Full Time Mastery 2.0: Executive Accelerator Program Deep Dive into your unique leadership assessment results. Custom-built AI profile outlining your distinct strengths, motivators, and productivity preferences. Orientation to the Time Mastery 2.0 system—personalized guidance on immediate application for maximum efficiency and clarity. Session 1: Personal Assessment and AI Profile Debrief (90 mins) Develop and refine your personalized, actionable execution plan. AI-supported prioritization strategies for achieving your highest-impact outcomes. Optimize your daily scheduled and workflows for peak performance and productivity. Session 2: Refining Your Time Mastery 2.0 Execution Plan (60 mins) Review your progress, troubleshoot any barriers, and reinforce new habits. Advanced strategies for sustaining focus, energy, and strategic thinking long-term. Strategic guidance on leveraging AI and your personalized system to anticipate and overcome future challenges proactively. Session 3: Sustaining Mastery and Strategic Acceleration (60 mins) All Materials are Personalized for You Proven Results. Clear, simple integration into your existing workflow. Enhances your strategic capability, leveraging your natural strengths. Empowers your leadership style with cutting-edge AI tools. Why Leaders Are Choosing Time Mastery 2.0 Get Started with Mastering Your Time Now! Contact us to get started on mastering your time to future-proof your influence and impact. Contact us about small group and large group trainings. Executive Accelerator Competency Outcomes Time Mastery 2.0 Executive Accelerator Package First name Last name Email Company name Position Single choice I am interested in Small Group Training for Time Mastery 2.0 Executive Accelerator Coaching Program I am interested in Large Group Training for Time Mastery 2.0 Executive Accelerator Coaching Program I am interested in one-on-one Training for Time Mastery 2.0 Executive Accelerator Coaching Program I would like information on getting Lynda McNutt Foster as a KeyNote Speaker. Submit Ready to Master Your Time?

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Cortex's Leadership Traits for the 21st Century The Six Main Leadership Traits for the 21st Century - McKinsey & Company Research Cortex Leadership Traits for the 21st Century Assessment: Assessment Cortex Leadership Traits for the 21st Century Scorecard Scorecard 21st Century Leadership Traits - McKinsey & Company Research Article Article 21st Century Leadership Traits - McKinsey & Company Deep Dive Corecast Episode:

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8 Statements That Will Change Everything About Recruiting and Retention at Your Company June 6, 2019 Lynda McNutt Foster “We came to realize what is perhaps the biggest problem of all with the idea of culture: it doesn’t help us understand what to do more of, less of, or differently. For that, we must take you to where the experience lives: to your team, and network of teams, and their leaders. That’s what matters most,” Marcus Buckingham and Ashley Goodall in 9 Lies About Work: A Freethinking Leader’s Guide to the Real World. Two decades worth of research about why and how people perform well at work has culminated in this book. I am convinced about the research and the impact it can have on companies that are struggling to recruit and retain the best workers because Marcus Buckingham is not only an expert in this space, the research mirrors what we have been studying for the last 7 years from our goMonti data sets. The main conclusion that the research in 9 Lies About Work demonstrates is good news. It states that “what people care most about at work is within your team leader’s control.” As they state, a team leader can’t always set corporate policies, but what they can do is: Set clear expectations for their team members Position each person to play to his or her strengths every day Praise the team for excellent work Help people grow their careers Build trust with the people on the team that they serve The focus should be on helping grow the abilities of team leaders to: Give their team member’s a sense of universality – all of us together Recognize each team member’s uniqueness In other words, magnify what we all share and to lift up what is special about each of us. How can you measure how your teams are doing within your organization and determine future sustained or increased performance and retention? There are 8 statements that should be asking and gauging responses for regularly (once a month or at least once a quarter) to measure what matters the most to measure the aspects that drive performance, voluntary turnover, lost work days, accidents on the job, and customer satisfaction. The 8 statements are grouped into two themes. The first is the team member’s communal or “we” share experience at work or rather the “Best of We,” and they are: I am really enthusiastic about the mission of my company. In my team, I am surrounded by people who share my values. My teammates have my back. I have great confidence in my company’s future. The second set of statements are themed as the individual’s experience at work or rather, “Best of Me”. They cover a team member’s internal questions like, “What is unique about me? What is valuable about me? Do I feel challenged to grow? And they are: 5. At work, I clearly understand what is expected of me. 6. I have the chance to use my strengths every day at work. 7. I know I will be recognized for excellent work. 8. In my work, I am always challenged to grow. From Chapter One of 9 Lies at Work, the first lie at work is that people come to work for companies. The research is sound on this, and that statement is not true for most people. What is true is that people care which team they’re on and which company they join. Need help executing these concepts? Find out how your team members would score on the 8 statements. Wondering how your team members would score on these 8 statements? goMonti is currently conducting local research and can issue this employee engagement and team performance survey at no charge for current clients. If you are an existing client, contact us for more information at info@cortexleadership.com . If you are not a current Cortex client, one or more of your teams may qualify to have us issue the survey at no charge. To receive information about our new Employee Engagement Surveys and how they can transform your teams, contact info@cortexleadership.com . Watch this short video from Coffee with a Coach, A Cup of Confidence, about the 8 statements and how team leaders can use them to gain powerful insights.

Level One: Leading Others to Peak Performance Strengthening Your Skillsets in Leading Others The Cortex Strengthening Your Skillsets in Leading Others is designed to help you assess your leadership skills, identify key areas for growth, and develop an actionable plan for improvement. You will engage in a self-assessment, pinpoint your two lowest-scoring skillsets, and set SMART goals to enhance your leadership effectiveness. This will empower you to build stronger teams, improve communication, and drive performance. By the end, you will have a clear roadmap for growth and a commitment to continuous leadership development. Step 1: Take the Cortex Coaching Intake Form Intake Form Step 2: Take the Leading Others Skillset Assessment Assessment Bring your results to your upcoming coaching session Step 3: Read the accompanying Article : Article