For over four decades, Lynell Green has excelled as a strategic management consultant and executive coach. Throughout her career, she has delivered impactful public speeches, led leadership programs, provided coaching services, and consulted in accounting, tax, and finance. Notably, she has worked with high-profile clients such as Meta, Twitter, Netflix, and Hilton, as well as aspiring entrepreneurs. Lynell is passionate about helping leaders develop and implement effective strategies that enable them to expand their influence and impact nationally and globally. As a testament to her commitment to personal growth and development, she successfully completed the Warren Buffett 10,000 Small Business Initiative program in Boston, alongside CEOs from various regions of the United States. Lynell Green also recently obtained a Certificate of Specialization in Strategy from the prestigious Harvard Business School, as part of her efforts to continuously enhance her mastery of strategy as a framework for leadership and life.
As a leading strategic management consultant and executive coach, what are the key strategies you employ to lead in a successful manner?
As a leader, it is important that we know the strategy that we’re operating inside of in every area of life. One lens to look through when we think about strategy is to determine our current customer value proposition (CVP). Our customers can be broadly defined as everyone we have a commitment to deliver value to. This includes but is not limited to employees in our business, customers, community volunteering, and our families and friends. What are we promising to deliver?
With that clarity, we examine if we are delivering the value we are committed to and be honest with ourselves if we are not. This includes delivering value to ourselves however we have defined that. To bring integrity to our strategy, it is imperative that the resources and processes that we utilize in how we live, and work are aligned with our strategy. We must be brave and be honest with ourselves if we are not delivering and it is important that we are quick to take responsibility, pivot and bring our actions in line with our strategic objectives in every area of life.
Your list of clients includes growing Entrepreneurs and leaders at the likes of Meta, Twitter, Netflix, and Hilton. Can you talk to us about how empowering it must be to know you’ve had such a positive impact on companies known worldwide?
I consider it a privilege. I currently have clients in Europe, Dubai, Australia, Africa and across the US. I love that I am the executive strategic coach for leaders at these amazing brands and I also lead corporate training for various teams and company initiatives in addition to coaching. It is my desire to empower leaders to own their global challenges in a way that supports the growth and development of the individuals on their teams while remaining focused on their companies being competitive in the marketplace.
What are three key tactics to keep an organization motivated among staff reductions and layoffs?
This challenge is top of mind for leaders now, especially in tech.
The first tactic as a leader is to be in communication with your teams and be honest and transparent. Corporate talking points need to be combined with empathy and compassion.
Second, it is important that leaders lead by example. This includes avoiding gossip, not encouraging the victim mentality and inspiring teams to keep doing work they are proud of. This is difficult when teams know their programs or products are being discontinued. In those situations, leaders need to be creative in determining what work can be done, that is not fake work, to give employees a sense of purpose as layoffs continue.
Lastly, everyone knows that reorganizations are coming after a round of layoffs and leaders may or may not know what the structure will look like, or they are not at liberty to tell. It is critical not to give employees false hope. Everyone should have a plan in case they get laid off and managers should encourage those conversations.
In your opinion, how do you best coach a team leader to resolve conflict?
We all have conscious and unconscious biases and as leaders we need to be aware of our own tendencies before we attempt to resolve conflicts on our team. We may like one person more than another on a personal level but that must be set aside if we intend to be fair. The first step is to meet with the people separately and listen. Make sure you are clear on what is not working and have each party recommend a solution to the conflict. As a leader, we are looking for a compromise that honors the people, resolves the conflict and does not undermine the work.
Outside of a work environment, how is your spare time best spent?
My parents are in their eighties, and I spend as much time with them as I can. My social life has not regained its pre-pandemic traction, but I am working on it. I enjoy being with people.
As far as hobbies go, reading is my favorite hobby and I read fiction and nonfiction which include business books and legal thrillers. My favorite streaming platforms are Acorn and PBS. Growing up in Hawaii gave me a love for being outside so I get out as much as I can. I have an amazing rose garden along with various herbs and vegetables. I also have 2 golden retrievers that make me laugh every day. I enjoy travel so I go on at least 6 trips a year. I do play as hard as I work so when I coach around work life balance, my clients see my life as an example because I know what it is like to work 90 hours a week. I don’t do that anymore.
Find out more about Lynell Green on her website.
