Anchor's Away

  ProjectsAtWork  

Marlene Dolan unlocks performance potential by creating pro-people work environments, so how did she get the title 'Project Meanie'?

A company's culture plays a huge role in its success. How people are treated-that is managed, rewarded and held accountable-is often called the "soft tools." But they can hit hard. The soundest business strategies and a competent workforce can still add up to less than the sum of their parts in a negative work environment.                          

Strategy implementation consultant Marlene Dolan calls this phenomenon "corporate drag," and likens it to sailing a boat that is dragging its anchor. "You can get where you want to go, but you're burning excess energy and lowering the performance potential of the boat," she says. "If nothing is done, high performers will leave in search of a situation that allows them to achieve their potential."                          

Dolan helps companies rethink and revamp their way of doing things, focusing on the people side. As someone who got a headline in Fast Company because she (proudly) held the title "Project Meanie," Dolan has some explaining …

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