admin In today’s fast-paced business environment, fostering a robust company culture is paramount for success. A strong organizational culture goes beyond policies; it creates an environment where collaboration thrives, innovation is second nature, and every member contributes meaningfully to collective goals, making a company not just profitable but desirable and resilient.
Margaret “Magi” Graziano, a key leader at KeenAlignment, dedicates herself to helping entrepreneurs unleash their potential. KeenAlignment offers CEO Culture and Leadership Assessments, providing Ideal/Actual Culture Assessment and the Leadership Benchmark Assessment. These assessments, designed for CEOs, delve into existing employee behaviors and work environments, unveiling discrepancies between desired and current states. For HR managers, KeenAlignment provides Cultural Transformation through three workshops fostering employee engagement and innovation. Additionally, an Executive Leadership Development Workshop equips managers with skills to address ongoing performance issues, transitioning to a more effective leadership approach.
Meeting the Transformative Leader
“Seeing people’s faces when they start to take control of their life and step into their own power and leadership is something that makes me want to continually do the work that I do”
– Margaret Graziano
As the founder and CEO of KeenAlignment, Margaret is not just the leader spearheading the mission, but rather the heartbeat of the organization. Her dynamic presence and candid approach have been pivotal in orchestrating transformative cultural shifts within numerous companies, yielding tangible and impactful outcomes. Margaret’s commitment extends beyond the conventional realms of leadership – it’s a passionate exploration of human potential. Positioned at the forefront of conscious leadership, organizational development, and corporate cultural alignment, she has rightfully earned her place among Silicon Valley’s Top 100 Influential Women in Business.
Margaret holds a distinguished position within the Forbes Coaches Council, an exclusive, global board of esteemed coaches. Beyond membership, she actively contributes insightful articles to the Forbes platform, sharing her expertise on conscious leadership, organizational development, and corporate cultural alignment. With over two decades of expertise, Margaret tailors leadership programs that transcend the ordinary. By seamlessly integrating experiential coaching, evidence-based leadership tools, and actionable strategies, Margaret and KeenAlignment empower business leaders to redefine their company culture, amplify employee performance, and chart a trajectory towards sustainable revenue growth.
A Catalyst Driving Constructive Shifts
Magi is blessed with a personality that catches all attention alongside an unwavering dedication and benevolence which when fused with her insightful and head-scratching programs serve as catalysts for a complete revolution. Her ability to kindle power and impetus within budding leaders who wish to advance toward a greater good is unequaled. In the limelight of cognizant leadership, organizational development, and corporate cultural alignment, Magi stands as an innovator who devises success.
Magi’s book, “Ignite Culture,” has enabled her to earn recognition as a Wall Street Journal Best Selling Author, which is proof of her thorough understanding of igniting cultural shifts within organizations. Magi, due to her remarkable work, has been honored in prestigious lists that include the Inc. 5000, which recognizes the fastest-growing private companies in America. She has also been named among the “100 Most Influential Women in Silicon Valley” by the Silicon Valley Business Journal stables Magi’s stature as a notable leader in the domain of technological innovation and entrepreneurship. She has also been recognized as the Female Entrepreneur of the Year in Business Services by The Stevie Awards. Not only this, but Magi has also reached heights to have bagged the title of the Chicago Woman Business Owner of the Year by the National Association of Women Business Owners which shows that her endeavors have gained appreciation.
A Journey of Purpose and Passion
“KeenAlignment does a holistic approach to shaping healthy, intentional, high-performance organizational culture from the inside out”
– Margaret Graziano
Margaret’s journey is a testament to her unwavering commitment to optimizing human potential. From her early days in recruitment, where she played a pivotal role in placing the right people in the right jobs, to her evolution into leadership development, her path has been marked by a passion for elevating possibilities. With a substantial career spanning 15 years in recruitment, Margaret specialized in placing individuals in fitting roles through a methodology known as Conscious Hiring. This approach aimed to curtail turnover while enhancing employee productivity and engagement. Following the sale of her initial business, Margaret ventured into a new business collaboration, only to discover a misalignment of values with her partner. During the process of disentangling from this collaboration, Margaret and her partner identified a fundamental misalignment in values and ultimate intent. This recognition became the impetus for the establishment of KeenAlignment. It marked a crucial juncture where Margaret’s motivation solidified into a defined purpose – ensuring companies possessed the requisite skills to align their workforce with the ultimate intent of their business. The vision was explicit: seamlessly intertwining business strategy with people strategy, thereby fostering healthy, intentional, and high-performance cultures. “I want them to be able to lead with their strengths and surround themselves with people that can make their vision a reality. Everything I do is in service of my calling that people are liberated,” Margaret affirms.
From Necessity to Entrepreneurial Prowess
Margaret’s entrepreneurial spirit ignited at the age of 27, a flame fueled by necessity when the company she worked for suddenly went under. Rather than succumb to adversity, she seized the opportunity to create her own path, marking the beginning of an entrepreneurial journey that has since spanned decades. Reflecting on her motivation, Margaret shares, “I became an entrepreneur out of necessity, and I’ve been one ever since.” With a pragmatic approach to capital reinvestment and a staunch financial discipline, Margaret focused on building programs, investing in training, and adopting cutting-edge technologies to secure a distinct market niche.
Watching Dreams Turn into Tangible Reality
Margaret draws inspiration from witnessing individuals fulfill their visions. “Seeing people’s faces when they start to take control of their life and step into their own power and leadership is something that makes me want to continually do the work that I do”, remarks Margaret. Her greatest source of motivation, however, lies close to home. Margaret’s children serve as her most profound wellspring of inspiration and resilience, grounding her amidst life’s challenges while also granting her the fortitude to soar to new heights. Her journey commenced with an unwavering commitment to provide for them, igniting a relentless drive within Margaret to persevere and overcome obstacles with unwavering determination.
Navigating Challenges: An Evolved Approach
Over the past decade, Margaret’s approach to challenges has undergone a profound transformation, a testament to the evolution that comes with experience and wisdom. A decade ago, she would swiftly dive into action, determined to find a solution and eliminate any hindrance. Today, her method reflects a nuanced understanding acquired through years of leadership. Margaret now takes a deliberate pause, distancing herself from the situation. She engages in introspection, seeking to identify any potential contributions to the issue. ‘I get curious and I ask people: “Is there something I did? Is there something I could be responsible for? Is there something I was unclear about?” Then I evaluate what is going on, both in terms of what’s in front of me, and what’s happening in the bigger picture,’ explains Margaret. Her approach involves a thorough evaluation of the immediate circumstances and a keen awareness of the broader picture. This contemplative process ensures not just a solution but a strategic one, considering systemic impacts and garnering diverse opinions and support for effective implementation.
Building a Thriving Customer Base: Exceeding Expectations
Margaret’s philosophy for cultivating a robust customer base revolves around delivering more than promised. Constantly sharpening skills, embracing new methodologies, and staying curious are key components. According to her, it’s about “continuing to sharpen the blade and continuing to be curious about how we can get better.”
The Four Pillars of a Robust Company Culture
According to Margaret, cultivating a robust company culture requires a thoughtful combination of four fundamental components. Firstly, there must be absolute clarity regarding the organization’s objectives and the role each individual plays in achieving them. This clarity ensures alignment and accountability, fostering a culture of ownership and responsibility. Secondly, Margaret emphasizes the importance of self-actualization among employees. Encouraging personal and professional growth enables individuals to fulfill their potential, contributing not only to their own development but also to the organization’s success. Thirdly, fostering a sense of affiliation is crucial. Collaboration, open communication, and a collective focus on shared goals create a cohesive work environment where teamwork thrives and egos are set aside. Lastly, Margaret underscores the significance of prioritizing the human experience within the organization. Ensuring that employees feel valued, supported, and appreciated promotes a positive work culture, leading to higher morale, increased productivity, and overall organizational success.
Keeping the Fire of Motivation Burning
Margaret keeps the flames of motivation ablaze at KeenAlignment through a strategic approach centered on the ultimate intent: liberating the human spirit. “I remind them of the ultimate intent of why we’re here, to liberate the human spirit,” remarks Margaret. Regular meetings, inclusive project involvement, delegation of responsibilities, fostering collaboration among diverse groups, group problem-solving sessions, and active engagement in the overarching organizational vision are among the key strategies. By consistently seeking input, feedback, and facilitating frequent team gatherings, Margaret ensures a dynamic and inspired work environment, aligning every team member with the shared mission of KeenAlignment.
Debunking the Success Formula
Margaret discerns a definitive formula for entrepreneurial success, emphasizing core elements that transcend mere business acumen. Central to this equation is an unwavering work ethic and a steadfast focus on the end game. Passion becomes the foundational catalyst, driving individuals to persist, bounce back from setbacks, and approach challenges with resilience, diligence, determination, integrity, and self-awareness. Margaret underscores the vital necessity of a compelling “why” that propels entrepreneurs through rejection, stress, and competitive challenges. A key ingredient in this success recipe is personal responsibility, discouraging the blame game and fostering a mindset of accountability, recognizing that long-term success hinges on internalizing and learning from both triumphs and setbacks.
Cultivating a Focused Approach
Maintaining unwavering focus and sustained productivity is a non-negotiable imperative for entrepreneurs navigating the intricate demands of their ventures. Without a well-defined daily routine, this pursuit can become an elusive challenge. In the case of Margaret, she has strategically crafted a set of indispensable habits to counter this challenge and ensure a consistently focused and productive entrepreneurial journey. These rituals encompass daily meditation, providing a mindful alignment with her vision and values, alongside regular physical exercise, cultivating both physical vitality and mental clarity. Additionally, fostering connections with loved ones serves as a crucial emotional anchor, while building relationships with fellow change-makers becomes an essential cornerstone, offering inspiration and collaborative synergy in the ever-evolving entrepreneurial landscape.
Turning Setbacks into Life Lessons
The pivotal challenge Margaret faced after selling her recruitment business became a crucible of profound lessons. Endeavoring to advance her hiring process, she pitched it as intellectual property to a software company for collaboration. However, as the partnership unfolded, the misalignment of values became glaringly apparent. Just before launch, recognizing the incongruence, Margaret reclaimed her intellectual property, severing ties to uphold her integrity.
This experience became a source of invaluable insights, impressing upon her the paramount importance of staying true to her values and vision. It served as a profound lesson in the significance of surrounding oneself with individuals who continually reinforce these principles. Although this period marked the lowest point in her life, it catalysed a transformative shift, ultimately leading her to engage in work that resonated profoundly with her passion and purpose.
Future Aspirations: Building a Network of Contribution
“I aspire to build a network of contribution with other like-minded entrepreneurs who believe in the transformation of the human spirit, that people can self-actualize at work, that people can be healthy and productive at the same time, and that people can do work that is inspiring to them,” concludes Margaret. Her vision involves building an amazing network of contributors – all working towards the same end game. Instead of entrepreneurs competing with each other for work, she wishes to see them working in collaboration with one another for the greater good.
Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Margaret’s advice to young and aspiring entrepreneurs is rooted in passion, hard work, continuous improvement, and self-awareness. “Find something you love doing and that you’re really good at. Get the word out about what your offering is. Then work diligently to get it done. Don’t expect anything without hard work. Always be getting better,” advises Margaret.
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