Hive17 Thoughts - Hive17 Consulting

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Is Your Leadership Team's Untapped Potential Hiding in Plain Sight?

9/6/2025

Are your relationships the secret weapon you're overlooking? In the demanding landscape for executive leadership teams, strategy, operations, and key performance indicators often dominate the agenda. However, what about the very foundation upon which success is built: the network of relationships within your team? When we neglect these connections, it is like constructing a skyscraper on a foundation of sand. Fragile relationships give rise to miscommunication, erode trust and psychological safety, and ignite conflicts, ultimately limiting innovation and progress.

How to Drive Strong & Fast Results? Lead without Authority

27/2/2025

Would you agree - it is so easy to lead and influence with authority. Your hierarchical position allows you to tell people what to do. And things are getting done. Easy, right?

In my experience, this leads to complacency and "dump followership". It hinders your productivity, agility and innovation. You want your teams to add their expertise, make fast decisions, and think out of the box. Let's look at leading without authority!

The Synergy between Change Maker & Change Facilitator

17/2/2025

One way I like to explain what change management practitioners are doing, is by making a distinction between Change Makers and Change Facilitators. The former being responsible that the change is happening; the latter being responsible that the change is happening as effective as possible.

We can find great synergy between these two roles, supporting each other in creating lasting success for organisations. Let me dive deeper into this dream team.

How to successfully execute a strategy? It's teamwork!

11/2/2025

How do you bring a global strategy into the APAC region? You might have guessed, not with a push approach. Rather, based on a dialogue among equals.

That's what we did last week with Jungheinrich Singapore, bringing together the Racking business team to discuss how they can explore and accelerate in this market.

Reignite Your Leadership Team with Cohesion & Clarity

23/1/2025

Feeling like your leadership team is pulling in different directions? Unsure if everyone truly knows each other, let alone shares a common vision? A Leadership Team Retreat can be the spark you need to reignite collaboration and drive.

This week, we witnessed this firsthand while supporting the regional leadership team of an industrial solutions provider. Facing a newly formed organization, a shockwave of departures, and a distinct lack of cohesion, they needed a catalyst for change. Our solution? A ferry ride to Batam for an immersive retreat.

Change Leadership in Riyadh - Lessons Learnt

15/11/2024

This week I am in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, facilitating a series of 2-day workshops. The topic? Change Management for the senior leadership teams of a large-scale organisation - in total about 100 people.
Why did the organisation choose change management as a topic? Despite the current legacy of the country, the organisation can only be successful in the long run, when they focus on the future! And the future will always bring a lot of new opportunities. Are you ready?

Achieving Fast Results with Delegation

16/7/2024

In today's world, we are rushing for more and more deliverables. And in this environment we keep pushing our people. As a result, they (and we ourselves) are feeling exhausted, drained of energy and are getting close to burning out.

What is a better, alternative approach? Delegate decision-making, give more autonomy and let go of control. This means, establishing a Self-Managed Organisation. This sounds difficult, how are we actually supposed to go about this?

We need Quality Growth - Let's start with Frugality

18/4/2024

As a change management professional, I have been more than necessary in projects that focus on cost cutting. And I have to say, these projects are mostly frustrating, destroying value, and won't contribute to the long-term success of any company.

What is the alternative approach? Focus on maximising value creation with the assets we have! Which helps organisations to focus back on quality growth.

[Case Study] Turning Cost Savings into Climate Action: A Sustainability Success Story

20/3/2024

Sustainability initiatives often face a hurdle: cost concerns. Many believe decarbonisation is simply too expensive. But what if we re-framed the conversation?

This case study showcases how a seemingly daunting cost-cutting target became a springboard for a successful sustainability initiative. Here's how a headquarter's request for a 200 million US dollar savings in energy cost became a catalyst for positive change.

Sustainability and cost savings can be a powerful combination!