Speak Up: Develop Your Executive Presence & Leadership Communication Style

525: Why Your Obsession with KPIs Is Killing Your Leadership and Culture (Ken Blanchard Would Agree)

Jan 28, 2026
Martha Lawrence, biographer and longtime collaborator of Ken Blanchard, former editor with decades in publishing. She explores Blanchard’s legacy and the power of “catching people doing things right.” Short takes cover servant leadership as influence, reframing interruptions as opportunities, and measuring organizational vitality instead of obsessing over KPIs.
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INSIGHT

Counteract Negative Bias With Specific Praise

  • Humans are hardwired to notice the negative, so leaders must intentionally acknowledge good work.
  • Martha Lawrence explains that specific, real praise shifts focus from faults to strengths and builds trust.
ADVICE

Praise With Impact, Not Generic Flattery

  • Make praise specific and connect it to the impact you experienced.
  • Tell the person exactly how their work empowered you and why you value them on your team.
INSIGHT

Lead By Setting Vision Then Serving Execution

  • Servant leadership combines decisive vision-setting with humble service during implementation.
  • Martha Lawrence emphasizes leaders set direction, then invert the pyramid to support those who execute it.
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