Intelligent Trade-offs as Leaders with Dr. Ken Matos

Ever feel like your company is constantly trying to do everything and please everyone? In this episode of OWLCAST, host David Morelli sits down with Dr. Ken Matos, an expert in organizational psychology and data analytics, to discuss intelligent trade-offs. They'll explore how leaders can move beyond outdated assumptions and "corporate gaslighting" to build a culture of clarity and purpose. Dr. Matos shares powerful, data-backed insights on everything from the hidden costs of employee attrition to optimizing hybrid work environments. If you're ready to stop guessing and start making smarter, more strategic decisions, this conversation is for you.

You’ll explore:

·   Challenge Assumptions with Data: Leaders often make decisions based on what they think is "right" or what has worked in the past. Use data, like that from employee engagement surveys, to challenge these assumptions and understand the real issues affecting your workforce.  

 ·   Make Strategic Trade-Offs: Trying to be everything to everyone leads to failure. Instead, identify your core business strategy and make deliberate, intelligent trade-offs that align with it. For example, some companies might accept higher turnover in some roles to retain talent in others.  

·   Optimize for Workflow, Not Real Estate: The debate over in-office vs. remote work should be grounded in the nature of the work itself. Remote work is ideal for tasks requiring deep focus, while in-person time is best for collaborative, complex, and strategic work.

  ·   "Strong Opinions, Loosely Held": Leaders should be willing to take the risk of having an opinion based on the best available information. However, they must be equally willing to change their minds if new data or perspectives emerge. This approach fosters negotiation and avoids intellectual bullying.