In your response to Emily and Jen address the following:

• Compare and contrast your views on successful organizations and how they have changed.
• Do you agree with the factors and trends your peers want to focus on for building successful teams and organizations?

EMILY POST

When I began this program, I strongly believed that a successful organization should support work-life balance—allowing employees to thrive both personally and professionally. That belief hasn’t changed, but this course has deepened my understanding of what enables that balance to exist. I've learned that high-performing organizations intentionally build cultures that prioritize employee well-being, offer flexibility, and support long-term career development.

What has shifted is my recognition that work-life balance isn’t just a benefit—it’s a strategic asset. Companies like Patagonia show that valuing employees as whole people can lead to higher engagement, lower turnover, and even stronger financial results. So, while my core belief remains the same, I now see work-life balance as part of a larger system that includes leadership style, organizational values, and environmental and social responsibility.

As a future business leader, I will focus on performance factors that not only drive productivity but also support employee satisfaction and long-term sustainability.

• Employee well-being and work-life balance: Organizations that support flexibility and personal time are more likely to retain top talent and reduce burnout (American Psychological Association, 2023).
• Clear communication and collaboration: Transparent, open communication builds trust and helps teams align around common goals.
• Continuous learning and development: Empowering employees with growth opportunities helps create a resilient and skilled workforce (World Economic Forum, 2023).

Looking to the future, several trends will shape how I build my high-performing teams:

• Remote and hybrid work: Flexible work models are becoming standard and must be supported with proper tools and cultural adaptation.
• Sustainability and ethical business practices: Consumers and employees are increasingly drawn to companies that act responsibly toward people and the planet (Wolfe, 2023).
• Artificial intelligence and digital transformation: Leveraging AI and automation can improve efficiency, but human-centered leadership will be critical in managing change

JEN POST

I think my parameters have changed over the course but not majorly. I still think reputation can make or break a company being successful. I think job satisfaction is still important, but people will always need jobs. I wouldn’t choose that as a major point. Customer retention only matter when you are selling to the public. I would say having a strong business plan but also an adaptable plan is very important. I never thought about the actual operations of the company. The goals and the plans to reach those goals are extremely important when it comes to a successful business.

One of the major expectations is everyone being on the same page. I think if all tiers of the team are on the same page with the plan, then the goals will be met easier. Confusion can ruin the best plans in a second. Communication is very important when it comes to having a high-performing team and organization. Learning how to properly communicate between different kinds of people could help the goals be reached.

Reply to Thread