Simon Goncharenko

Simon Goncharenko Speaking Topics

• Leadership and Human-Centric Approach

  We live in extremely difficult and rewarding times. It is difficult because there is an incredible amount of polarization in our teams, based on political, cultural, and generational differences. Yet, at the same time, it is rewarding because the solutions are at our fingertips and all we have to do is just ask, seek, and knock. So, given the complexity of these dynamics, now more than ever before, it is critically important to know how to lead with decisiveness, conviction, and character and to do it consistently in a way that values, affirms, and uplifts every single individual reporting to you. Those that know and do this, are leading unstoppable teams whose performance breaks every record. Those that are attempting to use same ‘ol methods and techniques from yesteryear find themselves sucking the dust of the others.

  First, I want to look at what divides us…

  Now, I want to dive into the solutions that can be readily and easily implemented

• From Mental Health to a Holistic Wellbeing

  Our world is the world of contrasts. On the one hand, there are incredible scientific, technological, and cultural advancements that have been made in the last 50 years. We are more knowledgeable about our surroundings, more aware of all the latest trends, news developments, fashion updates, and so much more. We are living in the world that feels smaller every day, as the social media is constantly updating algorithms that find connections between us that we never knew were there. And we deeply care about the cultural intricacies that become hot buttons in various parts of the world from one day to another.

  Yet, on the other hand, we are more lonely, disconnected, confused, uninformed, anxious, depressed, and suicidal than perhaps at any other time in the history of humanity. Why is that? Our workers are six times more likely to die of suicide than from a workplace-related hazard in construction industry alone, which mind you has always been one with some of the highest hazards out there. Our young people have had a tremendous uptick in suicide rates, over 60% to be exact, and that’s just in the United States. Those rates are much higher in other places around the world.

  The strict containment measures for controlling the spread of COVID-19 have now been criticized as significant contributors to the mental health issues we see. How have we tackled these issues up to now? Medications, drugs, alcohol… numbing the pain. Has it worked? Considering the fact that, by the end of today, 132 people will have taken their own lives around the globe, I’d say NO.

  Is there a better way? A more comprehensive and holistic approach that does not simply numb the pain for now and move the needle for actually dealing with the root causes to a later date?

Culture Trumps Everything Else

What’s a culture? We talk about it every day. We blame our shortfalls on it. Or we credit it for our successes. But what is it?

Do we know how to define it? Or how to describe it? Do we understand what it encapsulates?

Do we have a good grasp on what it takes to build a culture? Or what undermines it? Or even worse – are there things that we may inadvertently do to destroy a good culture?

Why is it absolutely essential to have this conversation and to have it now? Because everything we do and say builds a culture, either purposefully or by default. In the next few minutes, I want to take us on a journey of uncovering wrongly held assumptions, reviewing our actions in light of those assumptions, correcting the course where necessary, and adopting a way of doing things that can positively contribute to a purposeful construction and fortification of the right culture.

Save Lives and Save Your Company from Extinction

What if I told you that there is a quick hack that buys you some time in an otherwise toxic corporate environment resulting in a demise of a company?

Now that I have your attention, let me explain the claim that I just made. Most people understand that toxic corporate environments don’t happen overnight. There is a slow and steady rate of decline, made possible by strategically unwise decisions, policies that do not consider impact on human resources, and cut throat atmospheres that wear on people’s psyche overtime.

Because the process of erecting the toxic environment, whether on purpose or by default, takes a long time, correcting it is usually also a long and painstakingly slow process. That just makes sense. Everybody gets the logic of this concept.

But, there is one area where if you make an investment in this area, it can yield an immediate result of at least temporarily halting the degradation of the company. If you play your cards just right, you can build on this pause, and make some pretty significant positive advancements in a relatively short time.

What area?

Your company’s health and safety posture. How can your approach to health and safety possibly be such a powerful tool for arresting negative progress? Because there is no other area within your company where you can communicate to your personnel that you care, how much you care, and thereby invest in them.

Productivity of a High Performing Team Within Your Reach

Everybody wants the productivity of a high performing team. But not everybody understands what it takes to arrive at those productivity rates. Not everybody knows how to make their teams high performing. Far from everybody understands the difference between a mediocre team and a high performing one. And almost no one knows how to define a high performing team.

So, let’s start from the last sentence. First, let’s talk about what is a high performing team…

Second, let’s talk about what separates a high performing team from your average team at work…

Third, let’s look at what it would take to take your team to a high performing level…

Finally, let’s consider the level of engagement that it takes to sustain a high performing teams over a long period of time…

More Topics Goncharenko is Qualified to Speak, Present, or Train On

The Seven Pillars of Leadership: Building Your Winning Style

From Resistance to Resilience: 10 Strategies for Embracing Change

Attitudes that Elevate Leadership

Conflict to Collaboration: Transforming Tension into Trust

Endless Curiosity: Embracing a Lifelong Learning Mindset

The Learning Loop: Train, Retrain, or Restrain