UBUNTU: Exploring a Transformational Business Leadership Philosophy with Mike Ettling, Former CEO of Unit4 and Chairman of SYSPRO

Explore "Ubuntu" as a transformative business leadership philosophy with Mike Ettling, Former CEO of Unit4 and Executive Chairman of SYSPRO. This leadership philosophy is based on the principle of "I am because you are" and emphasizes trust and people dynamics as crucial factors in high-performing organizations.

What if the key to successful leadership lies in embracing the interconnectedness of humanity?

In this episode of "The Business Philosopher Within You" podcast, host Bhavesh Naik sits down with Mike Ettling, Executive Chairman of SYSPRO, to explore the profound impact of the Ubuntu philosophy - "I am because you are" - on business leadership.

Mike shares his journey from leading Unit4 to his current role at SYSPRO, emphasizing the importance of people-centric policies and trust in transforming organizational culture.

Throughout the conversation, Mike delves into the challenges and triumphs of his leadership experiences. He discusses the significance of empowering employees, the role of trust in leadership, and the strategies for fostering a culture of trust within organizations. Mike's insights offer a fresh perspective on how leaders can navigate the complexities of modern business environments.

Listeners will discover valuable insights into the importance of grounding strategies for leaders, the future vision for SYSPRO, and the personal growth journey that has shaped Mike's leadership philosophy. The episode also highlights the critical role of middle-tier leaders in driving cultural change and the impact of toxic high performers on organizational trust.

Tune in to discover how embracing Ubuntu can lead to a more fulfilling and effective leadership, and learn actionable strategies to implement in your own leadership journey.

Among the ideas we explored were:

• Relevance of Ubuntu philosophy in business leadership.
• Importance of trust and strategies for leveraging it for engagement.
• The power executing of employee empowerment through specific policies.
• The role of middle-tier leaders and difficult conversations in nurturing a culture of trust.
• Behavior change versus culture change and the cause-effect relationship between the two.
• Handling toxic high-performers, non-toxic low-performers: who to keep and who to let go.
• Grounding strategies for leaders vital for maintaining balance and leadership effectiveness.
• Adaptability and willingness to change and grow in leadership careers.
• Vision for SYSPRO, and leveraging its strengths for global expansion.
• Continuous exploration of personal growth and meaning in leadership.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Highlights

02:25 - Meet Mike Ettling, Executive Chairman, SYSPRO

04:21 - Recharging in "The Bush"

05:20 - Exploring the Ubuntu Philosophy in Leadership

07:26 - Transitioning Leadership at Unit4

12:56 - Accepting Leadership at UNIT4: People Focus, Amazing Product

16:22 - Importance of Empowering People

20:58 - Being People Centric: Balancing Principles, Policies, Performance

25:28 - Engendering a Culture of Trust

28:03 - Organizational Culture and Behavior Change

31:22 - HR and the Role of Leadership in Culture Change

33:23 - Navigating Trust Issues in Leadership

35:54 - Passing the Torch: Growth Potential and Future Vision for UNIT4

37:42 - Learning from Challenges in Leadership

44:54 - Personal Growth and Leadership Philosophy

48:22 - Grounding Strategies for Leaders

52:59 - Vision for SYSPRO and What's Next

54:28 - Getting In Touch and Closing Thoughts

55:13 - Self-Analysis: About Being on the Podcast

~~~Music by Yrii Semchyshyn (Thank You!): https://www.patreon.com/yuriisemchyshyn~~~

Show Notes and Deep Dive: https://www.awayre.com/ubuntu-business-leadership-philosophy-mike-ettling-unit4-syspro/