Hive17 Thoughts - Hive17 Consulting

Constructive Feedback Enabling Autonomy and Continuous Learning

4/6/2026

In today’s business world, the quest for peak organisational performance is perpetual. At Hive17 we advocate a People-First Work Culture, yet how to truly embed the mechanisms for continuous improvement in your leadership initiatives? The answer lies in transforming the often-dreaded process of giving and receiving feedback into a foundational business capability.

The Unspoken Success Factor: Placing Culture at the Heart of M&A

25/5/2026

Mergers, acquisitions, and divestments are strategic endeavours that are often meticulously planned around financial models, technical integrations, and procedural alignments. Yet, time and again, the value promised by these transactions erodes, frequently because of one critical oversight: the insufficient consideration of People and Culture.

At the recent IMAA Post-Merger Integration Conference in Singapore the consensus was clear: treating people and culture as an afterthought, a 'soft' issue, is the single greatest barrier to realising M&A value. In my experience through numerous organisational changes, the people were frequently left confused, unaligned, and unmotivated, treated as administrative details. When do we start to treat ‘human resources’ as human beings?

Are you Choosing between ‘Kind' and 'Right'? The Strategic Advantage of People-First Leadership

28/4/2026

Let’s be honest, in the C-suite, there’s a persistent, whispered question: Does truly effective leadership force a choice between ‘being kind’ and ‘doing the right thing’? For too long, the default answer has been a resigned nod towards the latter, accepting that success requires a certain ‘hardness’.

At Hive17, we think that choosing between ‘kind’ and ‘right’ is asking the wrong question. For leaders striving to build organisations that are not only high-performing but genuinely resilient and adaptable, navigating this false dichotomy is critical. Is kind leadership inherently weak? Does the ‘right thing’ always mean conflict?

Beyond the 'Visionary' Leader: The Power of Decentralisation

20/4/2026

We often hear the argument that centralised, totalitarian systems are inherently faster, more efficient, and better equipped to navigate dynamic environments. The belief is that a single, visionary leader can cut through bureaucracy, making swift decisions based on superior insight. Yet, history - and contemporary failures - tell a different story.

This reliance on the ‘dominant Tiger leader’ presents two critical flaws: they think they are infallible and they assume they act in benevolence.

From Power Play to High-Performing Ecosystems: Cooperation as the New Competitive Edge

7/4/2026

When I look around me today, it often feels like the loudest voices belong to the power-hungry. Narcissistic leaders, both in nations and corporations, seem to dominate the conversation, setting the rules and employing the bully's playbook. It’s easy to conclude that Darwin’s "survival of the fittest" is the only law that truly matters - the inevitable 'law of the jungle'.

However, this perspective is far too narrow; it’s a myth that misses the full, richer reality. Let’s challenge this idea by looking at where real strength comes from.

The Ownership Crisis: Why Your Talent is Quitting the Bureaucratic Grind

30/3/2026

Do we need a hierarchical structure? Yes. Do we need to be compliant? Yes. Is it good to be data-driven? Yes. Bureaucracy, at its core, is an information technology and it is essential for enabling larger organisations to function by providing necessary structure, compliance, and data-driven decision-making. These are not inherently bad things.

Are we getting frustrated with bureaucracy? Yes! The problem arises when we over-rely on these structures, turning necessary processes into stifling bureaucracy. This is when the system starts to create a chasm between the people inside and outside the bureaucracy. This results in a lack of understanding and, most importantly, eroding ownership.

The New Leadership Focus: Mastering Strategy Execution

12/3/2026

We’ve all been there, haven’t we? That moment when the latest deck lands from HQ, thick with glossy slides detailing the new Global Strategy. It's bold, it's ambitious, and it’s meant to be the Northstar for the next three years.

As a Regional Managing Director, you pore over it, nod along to the high-level vision, but then the familiar anxiety creeps in. The strategy feels... half-baked. It focuses heavily on financial outcomes and a new organisational chart, but offers little in the way of practical guidance for your unique market reality. It’s a beautifully designed 'train' with no 'tracks' to run on.

Let's Celebrate Inclusion on the International Women's Day

9/3/2026

Yesterday, we celebrated International Women's Day – a day to reflect on the progress we've made and the work that still lies ahead to create a more diverse workforce that is practising inclusion in order to achieve a more equitable workplace.

In today's world, DEI isn't just about gender, ethnicity, age, and other attributes we might want to give people. It's about viewing our world in all its nuanced glory – a colourful tapestry that sparks creativity and enriches life.

Calming Down the Obsession for Uncertainty - Start a New Freedom

3/3/2026

Let's be honest, we hear the word "uncertainty" everywhere, right? Global politics, the economy, technology - it all feels like a giant, wobbly Jenga tower. It seems that uncertainty has become the stress factor du jour, constantly hyped up by the media and maybe even by ourselves (I am guilty as charged!). We talk about how bad it is and how stressed we are. But what if we’re missing something? What if this ever-present uncertainty isn’t actually the villain we make it out to be?

I recently had a conversation with a friend who’s navigating some seriously big life changes. My perspective, which might sound a little wild, was this: Uncertainty can be freedom.

Time to Let Go: Six Leadership Truths for the Modern CEO

3/2/2026

Remember that moment when you first stepped into a top leadership role? Perhaps as a General Manager (GM) or a Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Suddenly, the job wasn't about being the smartest person in the room or the best functional expert anymore. It felt like a fundamental shift, didn’t it?

In a recent post, I explored this very evolution: the transition from 'functional expert' to the 'cross-functional glue' - where your success is measured less by operations you execute and more by the environment you create.

In the meantime, exclusive insights from six global CEOs, shared by IMD, have perfectly reinforced this perspective. Their experiences paint a compelling picture of what modern leadership truly demands. It's not about doing; it’s about enabling.

From Curiosity to Self-Praise: The Strategy for Ownership and Growth

27/1/2026

Today's senior leaders face a critical business challenge: a global workforce drowning in anxiety. Economic instability, the 'always-on' nature of hybrid work, and the unsettling rise of AI and automation have created an epidemic of burnout and job insecurity. This is not just a mental health crisis; it's a productivity risk, an innovation killer, and a primary driver of high turnover, especially among essential Millennial and Gen Z talent.

Addressing this problem is no longer about adding a wellness perk. It requires a fundamental shift in leadership strategy, moving from a culture of compliance and efficiency to one based on curiosity, discovery, and personal ownership - People First!

Defining Your Leadership Team's Raison D'être: Addressing the Silent Inhibitor of Success

13/1/2026

Have you ever stopped to ask your management team the simplest, yet most profound question: "Why do we exist as a team?"

As a facilitator, I recently had the privilege of guiding the Sika Vietnam leadership team through this exact inquiry. The air in the room, initially thick with the daily pressures of EBITDA targets, sales forecasts, and operational firefighting, soon began to shift. We weren't just discussing their job descriptions; we were digging for their collective soul - their raison d’être.

People-First Work Cultures: The New Blueprint for Success

6/1/2026

In today’s complex, fast-moving global economy, the traditional 'command-and-control' leadership model is showing its age. As organisations navigate continuous transformation, a new blueprint is emerging - one centred on human potential, connection, and purpose: the People-First Work Culture.

This isn't just a feel-good philosophy; this is of strategic importance. Research consistently shows that leaders who adopt a more compassionate, people-centric style consistently outperform on key metrics, driving higher productivity, greater employee retention, and supporting highly engaged teams ready for innovation. In fact, cultivating environments where people genuinely thrive is the foundation for corporate resilience and agility.

Unleashing Potential: Cultivating a Connected Leadership Team at Sika Vietnam

19/12/2025

The journey towards sustainable, high-impact growth for any organisation is intrinsically linked to the strength and unity of its leadership. We at Hive17 were privileged to partner with the Sika Vietnam’s Management Team for an intensive two-day Leadership Development Workshop, a program designed to reinforce team cohesion and build future-proof leadership capabilities necessary for their ambitious next phase of expansion.

From Functional Expert to Cross-Functional Glue: A General Management Mindset Shift

6/12/2025

Climbing the corporate ladder to become a General Manager (GM) is a significant undertaking. After years spent excelling in one or two functional areas, the new GM is suddenly expected to grasp the complexities of the entire business. The pressure to make well-informed decisions across diverse departments can feel overwhelming.

However, a consistent pattern emerges among successful leaders who thrive in this demanding role: they have fundamentally shifted their perspective from being purely task-focused to becoming deeply people-centric. Embracing this leadership style is key to unlocking their true potential and propelling their careers to new heights.

Debugging Our Systems: Why We Must Adopt the Lean OS Now

28/11/2025

Last week in Saigon, I had the privilege of attending the Anphabe conference, a powerful event that served as an urgent wake-up call for every executive concerned with talent, innovation, and performance. The central theme was clear: there is a dangerous chasm between what our employees want and how our organisations operate. We are running on antiquated operational systems that are resulting in "drained human" capital.

Step Down to Step Up - Unlocking Performance by Meeting on the Same Eye Level

13/11/2025

Building a genuinely people-centric work culture starts with a surprisingly simple yet profound shift: meeting everyone on the same eye level. It means leaders intentionally step down from the hierarchical perch and join the team as a partner, not a judge.

Let’s look at this everyday scenario illustrating how we can be stuck in the parent-child trap. A team member, Sarah, brings a thorny problem to her manager, Mark. She's done the research and has three potential solutions, but she’s feeling anxious about picking the wrong one.

The Unseen Cost of Cultural Drift: Why Strategic Alignment is Your Biggest Financial Driver

6/11/2025

At Hive17, we understand that the senior leadership team is the architect and custodian of a thriving, people-centric workplace. While most executives intellectually grasp the power of corporate culture, the latest data reveals a stark and challenging reality: many organisations are leaving immense value - and crucial resilience - on the table by failing to align their culture with their overarching business strategy.

If you are serious about achieving and sustaining growth in today's complex market, it is time to elevate culture from a “soft” HR topic to a strategic, financial imperative.

Cultivating Collaboration: A Journey of Growth with EOA and VISEO

13/10/2025

At Hive17, we believe in the transformative power of strong leadership and deeply connected teams. That's why we were thrilled to partner with VISEO Asia and E-Outsource Asia (EOA) on a series of workshops designed to nurture a collaborative culture and pave the way for ambitious market expansion. This initiative wasn't just about achieving business goals; it was about laying the foundation for lasting success through shared vision and empowered individuals.

Stop Meeting, Start Leading: Regular Leadership Team Retreats to Boost the Bottom Line

10/9/2025

For medium-to-large-scale businesses in Southeast Asia, it’s not just a buzzword; it's a strategic imperative. In a fast-paced market defined by rapid change and intense competition, your leadership team is your most valuable asset. How do you ensure they remain a cohesive, innovative, and highly effective unit? The answer lies in regular, purposeful leadership retreats.

The Unseen ROI: How Compassionate Leadership Drives Business Performance

30/8/2025

At Hive17, we believe that truly successful organisations are built on the strength and well-being of its people. In today's dynamic world, nurturing a people-centric work environment is not just a buzzword; it's a strategic imperative. This means moving beyond traditional metrics to cultivate a space where compassion, connectedness, and autonomy flourish.

Our recent discussions with the Future Work Forum Focus Group highlighted key ingredients for nurturing such an environment, drawing heavily on the powerful principles of Motivational Interviewing (MI). This isn't about implementing a rigid new system, but rather integrating these insights into how we already lead and interact.

The Thriving Leadership Team: Navigating Uncertainty with a Strong Sense of Belonging

6/8/2025

In today's unpredictable business landscape, traditional leadership models are falling short. What we need is a leadership team that embraces uncertainty and thrives on it. It's not about having all the answers; it's about cultivating a mindset and characteristics that turn ambiguity into opportunities.

Imagine your leadership team as a force that thrives in uncertainty. It's built on a foundation of belonging, compassion, and a shared vision.

Empowering Growth: The Art of Delegation

10/7/2025

In today's fast-paced business landscape, many leadership teams find themselves caught in a challenging cycle: bogged down by operational details, leaving little room for crucial strategic initiatives and future growth. This often leads to a noticeable decline in team autonomy and can stifle both innovation and results. At Hive17, we believe the path to unlocking true organisational potential lies in mastering the art of delegation; a transformative shift that leverages trust to empower your team.

Beyond Tasks & Targets: Cultivating People-First Cultures for Growth in Asia

2/7/2025

In today's fast-paced corporate world, it's easy to get caught up in the relentless pursuit of tasks, targets, and processes. We often see leadership styles that prioritise output above all else, treating human interaction as merely transactional.

At Hive17, we believe it's time to shift our perspective. Inspired by our experience and a number of books and articles, we advocate for a profound pivot: moving away from transactional leadership and squarely focusing on the human beings at the heart of our organisations.

Uncertainty is Your New Opportunity

26/6/2025

Recently the terms ambiguity and uncertainty are popping up a lot. The geopolitical situation is giving us one surprise after another; trade wars and armed conflicts don't seem to stop.

We have been talking about a VUCA world for over a decade. The world is not only complex, it's ever changing in an unpredictable way. And the speed of change and the uncertainties are only raising faster.