Mehrad Yaghmai’s Post

This isn’t news that anyone wants to hear. It’s also not news most people take pleasure in giving. However, there are times when we have to give or even receive the news: It’s time to "consciously uncouple" It’s been a long time since I’ve had to FIRE a collaborative partner, and for good reason: we build collaborations on a foundation of shared values, mutual respect, and clear, aligned goals. When it comes to driving impactful corporate collaborations, especially those aligned with the UNSDGs, starting off on the right foot is everything. The stakes are high, and we can't afford to mess around. So, how do we make sure we're vibing with the right partners from day one? Here's a little peek behind the curtain: 1️⃣ We get crystal clear on our objectives and expectations. No room for confusion here! 2️⃣ We go beyond the surface level when vetting potential partners. We want to know what makes them tick, how committed they are to making a difference, and how well they play with others. 3️⃣ It's all about that synergy! We make sure our partners fit like a glove within our ecosystem. 4️⃣ We stay ready to adapt and pivot when needed. Flexibility is the game in keeping collaborations strong and resilient. By being proactive and diligent in our partner selection, we can minimize the need for those awkward "it's not you, it's me" conversations down the line. Since collaboration is so important to profit and impact we make sure we're choosing the right teammates for the ride! ✅ Sustainability ➕ Profitability 🟰 The Dream Team If this post was helpful, insightful, or even slightly entertaining - SHARE IT and follow Tai Aracen Ⓢ for more. #Sdgs #Sustainability #ClimateAction #ESG

Last week, during a global summit for my org, I had the incredible opportunity to host a fireside chat with our keynote speaker, Ann Hiatt, who has built a career consulting senior leaders across Silicon Valley and the Fortune 500. Ann spent her time with the team, sharing a topic called Collective Genius. The underlying idea was around how working together proactively yields better results than silos, but it also touched on a number of topics around driving your career in the face of adversity, change, and the unknown. Some of the lessons included: Leaning into Creative Abrasion: This involves fostering a broad spectrum of ideas that facilitate healthy debate and discourse. As part of this, it is critical to avoid the trap of over indexing on the HiPPO (Highest Paid Person’s Opinion; See Adam Grant's post on the topic to learn more) to ensure that cognitive diversity flourishes, providing a better end solution. Fostering Creative Agility: This has a lot to do with prioritization, and starting important efforts with a defined end state. Coupled with a strong #growthmindset, this reduces the trap of short term thinking and other pitfalls to execute in “pursuit mode” towards an ultimate goal. Delivering Creative Resolutions: This deals with the idea of recombinant innovation, which I originally learned about in an amazing book by Matthew Syed, Rebel Ideas. By combining disparate and seemingly unrelated ideas it is possible to create something entirely unique. This is where true disruption comes from, as we have seen over the years by companies such as BlackBerry who put email in everyone’s pocket, Six Degrees who basically created the concept of Social Media, and Uber who combined online ordering and taxis while also sparking revolutions in so many other industries in the process. These and others were able to identify a gap and quickly filled it with elegant solutions that people were craving. Through these concepts and some amazing stories, Ann shared how important it is to have passion for what you choose to do, and to be so driven that you need to be held back rather than pushed forward. I can’t thank Ann enough for taking the time to share her wisdom and experience with us. From the feedback I got, it was a session that few in the room will ever forget. I know I won’t!

Discussing people and events may be common in everyday conversation, though discussing ideas takes conversation to a deeper level, encouraging critical thinking, empathy, and problem-solving. #newideas #innovations #leadershipdevelopment

What it really means when we say employees want to work in purpose led businesses. After a 12 month project with a scaling business we (my customer and I) came to the conclusion that we needed a bigger internal team to drive change. We wrote to the customer’s team to gauge interest. We have had to draw up a shortlist, so held the first round of conversations last week. The board member kicked off the chats with “We don’t want to tick boxes. We want to do our bit”. He talked about tipping points, ripple effect, climate overwhelm. I was SO proud of him. The candidates were brimming with enthusiasm and passion. They told us things we didn’t know, they were ALREADY living a sustainable life at home. At the end of the calls I did explain to my customer that I’ll probably end up poaching this team. 🤔 We acknowledged that this came from one email asking for interest….what else is out there….? Have you asked your teams what they think of the future? Lead and they will follow. You might find they’ll end up leading and you will be following them. I’d encourage you to ask and listen, the silent majority are sat waiting for change. They will love you for it. #Talent #Strategy #Team This photo is from Saturday’s Nordic Walk. It’s amazing what you can find if you stop, look and listen. #funguys

When it comes to driving transformation, peer to peer influence and the unofficial network can be your most powerful assets. 💬 The water cooler chat. 👂 The corridor conversations. 🔊 The overheard gossip. 🤫 The rumour mill. For most people these are places where half truths and whispers spread. But for transformative trailblazers they can become powerful channels for real change. Instead of the secret squirrel approach 🐿 Quietly planning in the shadows, waiting for the "perfect moment" to unveil your ideas. Why not leverage the unofficial network for something bigger? Transparency is your greatest tool. When you share openly those water cooler moments become incubators for transformative change. Leadership announcements and corporate cascades get the word out 🎙 But nothing spreads a message faster, or more authentically, than the informal channels people trust most... Their peers! As trailblazers we can harness social influence and the network effect to catalyse and sustain our transformation efforts. This peer to peer network can have a more meaningful impact than any corporate memo, helping us to disrupt from within. By sharing our stories, even in the early stages. Our progress, learnings and the value we’re creating. We ignite the social network to create excitement, anticipation, and FOMO. That’s why last week was a proud moment. Watching our clients trailblazers share their journey with 100+ of their colleagues during a Show & Tell. By sharing early and openly, they’re already fuelling the peer to peer influence that will help drive their transformation forward 💪 Now, I look forward to seeing the ripple effect. The rumour mill turning. The growing interest it will generate. And the lasting impact it will have on their shift to a better way of working.

I’m looking forward to working today. But it wasn’t always like that. For many years, I was holding on to the things that were hurting me the most. Through necessity, I had followed the belief system around corporate ‘success’ and the big salaries and external validation of status. But my inner voice was screaming at me to make a change. But I was so busy and scared, that I didn’t listen. So after finally giving in to my intuition, I re-imagined my life and slowly built the conditions to change. I pivoted away from the big corporate career, towards the integration of my deeper values. I’m very grateful for my years in the corporate world. I’ve built a significant amount of commercial awareness and understand the rules of that game. And I’m now using that experience to enjoy a different type of day. I use my commercial knowledge and perspectives to help others build new models of success. Ones that talk about the planet, community and compassion that don’t profiteer at the expense of others. These are the main things for me today which do seem to follow the ‘triple bottom line’ of people, planet, profit: 🙋♂️ Coaching call with a client - holding space to explore, navigate and create 🌱 B Corp call - supporting B Corp certification and how to embed it into the business DNA 📈 Strategic play back session - brand, marketing and business principles that build the foundations that add more than it takes away Life is complex, messy and often hard. But the more we let go of the things that are hurting us, the more we make space for new dreams. And as my friend Gwyn Jones from the The Association of Sustainability Practitioners reminds us, ‘there is always another way’. So whatever you’re doing today, I hope you have the best day available to you 🙏 #reinvention #triplebottomline #sustainability

Friends, let's talk about the climb. Being a CEO isn't always sunshine and boardroom victories. It's a relentless ascent, with moments that test your resolve and leave you breathless on the precipice. We've all faced those trials. Missed targets, unexpected roadblocks, and that sinking feeling when a brilliant idea just doesn't pan out. But here's the thing – these challenges aren't failures. They're the footholds we use to propel ourselves higher. The key, my friends, is in how we navigate them. Here's what I've learned: Be Vulnerable, Be Strong: It's okay to acknowledge the struggles. Open communication fosters trust and allows us to learn from each other's setbacks. But remember, vulnerability isn't weakness. It's a sign of strength, a reminder that we're all human on this climb. Celebrate the Small Victories: The path to the summit is paved with smaller wins. A new client signed, a team member's breakthrough idea, a positive customer review – these moments deserve recognition. They're the fuel that keeps us motivated and moving forward. Empathy is the Ladder: We're a team, and teams succeed when we support each other. When someone stumbles, offer a hand up, not a harsh word. When someone excels, celebrate their victory. Let's foster an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to take calculated risks. Learn from Every Step: Every trial holds a lesson. Take the time to dissect setbacks, identify areas for improvement, and share the learnings with the entire team. Those lessons become the building blocks for future triumphs. The Summit View is Worth It: And trust me, the view from the top is magnificent. The satisfaction of achieving a shared goal, of overcoming adversity together, and of making a positive impact – that's what makes this climb truly rewarding. The climb is never-ending, and the challenges will keep coming. But by approaching them with empathy, resilience, and a commitment to learning, we'll transform every trial into a stepping stone on our path to collective triumph. Let's keep climbing, team, and leave a legacy that's built not just on success, but on the humanity we bring to the journey. #GGWPsalesHacking #ContentMarketing #FunnelBuilder #CEOspeaks

"Having a futurist-in-residence is no longer a nice-to-have—it’s a strategic imperative. This role is critical for two reasons: preparation and opportunity. With so many variables at play—from technological advances to societal shifts—it’s critical to have someone who can filter through the signal noise, identify potential game-changing opportunities, and help those who guide the organization to adopt a more forward-thinking approach. The role can also foster a culture that challenges assumptions, encourages innovative and creative thinking, and equips teams to identify and interpret the forces that are shaping tomorrow."

Unlock Fresh Perspectives for Your Organization & Your Life It’s so easy to get entrenched in "business as usual." Yet, true innovation and resilience often stem from welcoming voices that challenge, question, and inspire new ways of thinking. That’s where I come in. As a writer, speaker, and co-founder of a sustainability-focused retreat, I specialize in rethinking the systems and norms we take for granted. I bring a curious, contrarian lens paired with a lighthearted approach to explore how you & your team can thrive—not just operate. I help people reimagine productivity, culture, and strategy, fostering a meaningful, sustainable path forward. Let’s connect to explore how I can help you and your organisation embrace change and uncover its full potential.

Are we fostering an approachable and open-minded connection within our organizations? Are we afraid of challenging the “status quo”? In today’s fast-paced corporate environment, avoiding “intellectual incest”—the recycling of ideas within a closed group—is essential for fostering innovation and adaptability. When organizations rely solely on familiar practices, they risk groupthink, stagnation, and blind spots that hinder progress. To break this cycle, we must embrace diversity of thought and seek fresh perspectives to create space for creativity, better decision-making, and sustainable growth. The benefits are clear: • Innovation: Fresh ideas and solutions. • Adaptability: Greater responsiveness to market changes. • Stronger Decisions: Balanced input from diverse voices. Let’s stay open-minded with our team and create an environment where everybody feels safe not only to bring new ideas but also to feel okay if someone disagrees. How does your team bring in fresh perspectives to avoid intellectual stagnation? Share your thoughts below! #teamleadership #traveltechnology #productleasership