Outstanding organizations have unique cultures and characteristics. They understand how important each employee is to their organization.

For example, have any complainers in your organization? Of course! But what I’ve found as I've worked with great organizations is that they don’t tolerate criticism unless it is constructive...unless there is a commitment to authentically examine issues, look for solutions, find the facts, and exhibit the courage to question assumptions and have tough conversations.

As I examined successful organizations - Fortune 500 organizations, small, medium and large companies, non-profit, for-profit organizations, education, healthcare - you name it! -  it was amazing to see how the presence of a few characteristics made it that much easier to engage in additional characteristics demonstrating a synergistic, dynamic relationship. This course shows you how to examine where your organization stands and offers opportunities for employees to have productive conversations on how they can contribute to a successful culture.

Learning Objectives
  • Identify characteristics of engaged employees
  • Identify the goals of authentic communication and dialogue
  • Discover the advantages of engaging in healthy conflict
  • Identify the one question that will safely invite feedback and will have a positive individual and organizational impact
  • Explore characteristics of a trusting, authentic organizational culture
Last updated/reviewed: August 21, 2023
105 Reviews (330 ratings)

Reviews

5
Anonymous Author
Good review of basic concepts and helpful tips to carry with you each day as you look to build high performing teams. I enjoyed the integration of certain quotes and reflecting on their impact.

4
Member's Profile
This course provides insight into the components of a good and successful organization. The topics were well presented and organized. I like how one characteristic ties into another, thus creating a synergy. Trust is essential to authentic communication and vice versa. However, employee engagement, to me, appears to be the most important factor in any organization. There should be a caveat about being "brutally honest." It depends on the type of organization you work for. This may well be practiced in the private sector, but when you work for a government or a public agency, harsh words have consequences. You can't even be completely honest without offending a co-worker; conversely, management would be wise not to be overly critical of staff so as to trigger a grievance or union complaint.

5
Anonymous Author
This course provided a great overview and refresher for leaders at all levels within the organization. I particularly enjoyed reviewing the basics of highly-engaged teams and successful organizations given the current economic environment and org restructuring occurring within so many organizations in today's tough business climate. Fostering an open dialogue of communication, trust, synergy. authenticity, and healthy debate are paramount for survival and differentiation, The presenter's content ad flow was exceedingly easy to follow as were the supporting course materials.

5
Anonymous Author
I learn something every time I take a course with you. Every leader should be required to understand communication and take at least an annual course. I've had very negative comments from leaders when asking questions. Instead of responding, they lash out. A very unhealthy environment indeed! Thank you for pointing out the stepping stones to trust!

5
Member's Profile
This is my second webinar by Neil. He is very informative and he also brings fun to his presentations, it is entertaining to listen and this way also information really sticks. I got 100% score from the first try and I am sure I will be able to apply a lot of the knowledge to my work. Thank you Neil!

5
Anonymous Author
This course was eye opening in relation to an actual authentic culture. It does not matter that some departments act in an authentic manner if everyone else is not on board. Executive teams would be wise to recognize the breakdown and be the examples for everyone in the organization to emulate.

5
Member's Profile
This is a great course not only for organizational leaders, but for anyone. It helps us become better communicators and how to change our perspective around encouraging and bringing out the best in others. It also will give you guidance as what to look for when you're searching for your next job.

5
Member's Profile
This is a great course and I plan to revisit it. The instructor provides good insight into why organizations are dysfunctional and how to move forward to a better functioning organization. I like how the instructor provides examples and simulates role playing to highlight his point.

4
Anonymous Author
This is a great overview of how the human element of the workplace has a critical impact on the success of the company as a whole. The course touches on the importance of engaged employees, authentic communication, a compelling mission, trust, and the role of healthy conflict.

5
Member's Profile
I enjoyed this course because it shows that conflict should not be avoided in an organization. Conflict can bring to light different view points, and actually increase moral and productivity when approached in a positive manner. Anyone can benefit from this course.

5
Member's Profile
This course really breaks down what it takes to keep your organization authentic and truly serving its customers. Anybody who wants to get on track, stay on track or find their current business track should take this powerful course.

5
Member's Profile
I really like this speaker. His advice on management and healthy organizations really hits the spot for me. I need to work on a few of these things, especially when it comes to health conflict and not avoiding it. This was great!

5
Member's Profile
Another great course by Mr. Ihde! I enjoy listening to his perspective on creating healthy organizations. I am able to relate many of his ideas to my work environment and notice how dysfunctional my organization is.

5
Anonymous Author
This is very good course for everyone, not only managers to enroll in, it can be useful in all levels of an organization. It is helpful to understand how to lead a team and how to be a more effective member of a team.

5
Member's Profile
I really enjoy this instructor. He does a great job of explaining the subject matter in a fun and interesting way. This course contains some really great topics that will get you thinking.

5
Member's Profile
The instructor is extremely engaging and lays out information in an easy to understand way. His presentation and material were interesting. I will definitely take more of his courses.

5
Anonymous Author
This is an incredible course. Very thought-provoking and beneficial. I was very impressed by the instructor and will search for his other courses. His examples were very effective.

5
Anonymous Author
Great overview and refresher of those things that make a successful organization and an enjoyable workplace. Leaders should know these things but a good refresher is always welcome.

5
Member's Profile
The instructor presents serious stuff without getting too serious, which helps me digest. The lists of questions will be very useful for reflecting upon how I behave as a leader.

5
Anonymous Author
Insightful presentation with content I will revisit as I continue to develop productive teams. Really appreciated the Authentic Communication section around Dialogue.

3
Member's Profile
Honestly this seems like a course that is designed to encourage a company to hire management consultant and even references a widely discredited book "good to great".

4
Member's Profile
Neil related the information in a way that was easily understood and turned into a take away that I could use for self assessment and use with my direct reports.

4
Member's Profile
As I was completing this course I identified a couple of concepts that I can utilize in my current position to strengthen our HR and Payroll team's relationship.

5
Member's Profile
An informative and useful course on managing- generally speaking. It provides a blueprint on how to effectively handle an organization. A great course overall

5
Member's Profile
Very engaging speaker. He used inflection during the course and emphasized areas as he spoke. The topic kept me entertained, focus and excited to learn more.

5
Anonymous Author
Neil is one of the best speakers in the business! This is an engaging course and full of great ideas to help make your company's culture the best it can be,

5
Member's Profile
I found the instructor very engaging and found useful information that I am going to apply in my workplace. I really feel I got a lot out of this course.

5
Anonymous Author
Yet again another great course by Neil. He presents the content in an interesting way and he always gives me some good takeaway items for his courses.

3
Anonymous Author
This course brings up good topics but a lot of leadership doesn't want honest input or will disregard suggestions that don't align with their ideas.

5
Member's Profile
I enjoyed this course very much. The discussion of the nuances that undermine or strengthen an organization was well stated and clearly explained.

4
Anonymous Author
This is a great course. The topics presented are very well organized and the instructor is very engaging. A lot of valuable inputs were provided.

5
Member's Profile
The instructor has great presentation skills. His content is very strong, and he supports the message with very interesting stories and examples.

5
Anonymous Author
This is a very interesting course. Neil is a great speaker and has enthusiasm for the topic. Very good practical information and examples.

5
Anonymous Author
Instructor covered topic in an engaging and educational manner - pulling in real world experiences and tested theories. Would recommend.

5
Anonymous Author
I felt this course had logical content. A little too conversational for my tastes, but I recognize that many learn well in this format

5
Member's Profile
Great insights and practical information! The supporting information is going into my portable resource file for future reference.

5
Member's Profile
Neil uses real world examples in the presentation which I was able to relate to very easily. The material was very well laid out.

4
Anonymous Author
For ANYONE in an office environment, some very good topics are covered. The slides were presented well and were easy to follow

3
Anonymous Author
Interesting perspective of encouraging conflict. Depends on how open your organization is if that is a smart strategy for you

5
Anonymous Author
This was an insightful course to take. The instructor was engaging and I enjoyed the quotes he included in the presentation.

5
Member's Profile
I found this course thought-provoking and informative, and I will use these points in my future professional growth. Thanks!

5
Anonymous Author
5 characteristics of successful organizations was instructive in its presentation of how to build an effective organization.

5
Anonymous Author
This was a thought provoking course. Good examples were given of how to promote a positive, open work environment.

5
Member's Profile
This should be a required course. Great information about teamwork that I will be using as a future reference.

5
Member's Profile
The instructor is very engaging and informative. He provides clear examples to understand the material easily.

5
Member's Profile
Losada investigation is very interesting. In just one hour you can learn much about successful organizations.

5
Member's Profile
I really enjoyed this course. It gave me concrete examples of inviting productive dialogue with my colleagues.

4
Anonymous Author
good basic fundamentals to promoting and maintaining a healthy open environment of dialogue and communication

4
Member's Profile
Everyone wants to have a successful organization but attaining it is the challenge. Insightful presentation.

5
Member's Profile
I'm going to share this course with my team at work! I love that this can give us some goals to shoot for.

5
Anonymous Author
Great course, very well done with great examples that can be applicable to the current work environment.

3
Anonymous Author
Helpful reminders in organizational dynamics; teams are critical to an organization's overall success.

5
Member's Profile
Great content and much more in-depth and wide-ranging than you would anticipate. Highly recommended.

5
Member's Profile
This course is a great way to learn how to approach healthy discussions and a positive work culture.

5
Member's Profile
This is a great course that dives into what organizations should do to develop and inviting culture.

4
Anonymous Author
Great course if you want tips on how to build better teams, employee morale and workplace culture.

5
Anonymous Author
Well structured and presented course. Good course for novices and a good review course for others.

5
Anonymous Author
Great speaker with great insight! He presented his ideas in a well-organized and engaging manner.

4
Anonymous Author
Excellent explanation of the characteristics of a successful organization with examples of each.

5
Anonymous Author
I learned things that I will actually be able to implement at my company. The slides were good.

5
Anonymous Author
Great information for work life & personal life. These areas most everyone can improve in.

5
Member's Profile
Thank you for the information. I find your management training session very enlightening.

5
Member's Profile
Loved this course! Very knowledgeable presenter & learned a lot of valuable information.

4
Anonymous Author
This course identifies sound approaches to developing a cooperative, positive, workplace.

5
Anonymous Author
I enjoyed the specific examples and scenarios of the organizations throughout the course.

5
Member's Profile
Interesting content and an engaging instructor. Doesn't just read verbatim from slides.

5
Anonymous Author
Great course! This is something that everyone can find beneficial in their daily work.

5
Member's Profile
Lots of good suggestions and examples supporting the topic of successful organizations.

5
Member's Profile
I really enjoy Neils presentations. Very fun guy to listen to and has great stories.

5
Anonymous Author
Great tips and skills to encourage engagement and open conversation in the workplace

5
Member's Profile
It provided a lot of insight. I use some of the points made here at my company.

4
Anonymous Author
Straightforward but helpful principles. Thank you for a great and helpful course!

5
Member's Profile
Easy to understand, good wording and the final test is pretty straight forward...

5
Anonymous Author
Losada line is widely discredited, unsure if it has a place in this presentation.

4
Member's Profile
helpful lesson for working to make an department, or organization successful

4
Member's Profile
Interesting course. I learned some things I hadn't considered previously.

5
Anonymous Author
Good course in understanding characteristics of successful organizations.

5
Anonymous Author
Overall great lesson. I learned how to be more engaged at. Work.

4
Member's Profile
This course was engaging and I learned a lot about successful cultures.

5
Member's Profile
I love quotes, I gathered some great quotes to live by from this class.

3
Anonymous Author
This class was very informative and I learned alot. Highly recommended

5
Anonymous Author
Enjoyable lesson, great examples and clearly defined lesson points.

4
Anonymous Author
very good overall look at corporate culture and how to improve it

5
Member's Profile
Very detailed and straight to the point. I definitely recommend

5
Member's Profile
very informative class and contains good insightful information.

4
Anonymous Author
I appreciated all the real life examples provided in the class.

5
Member's Profile
Completely new ideas for me; I thoroughly enjoyed this course.

5
Anonymous Author
great material and great course. Will definitely recommend.

5
Member's Profile
Fairly obvious characteristics but always a good reminder.

5
Member's Profile
The slides were presented well and were easy to follow.

4
Member's Profile
Enjoyed coursework. High level with some critical detail.

5
Anonymous Author
Instructor told stories and provided helpful examples!

5
Anonymous Author
This course covered the stated learning objectives.

5
Anonymous Author
Very interesting and a lot of important takeaways.

5
Member's Profile
Small or large, these are important considerations.

5
Anonymous Author
Thank you very much for the excellent presentation!

5
Anonymous Author
Great course! Very interesting and presented well.

5
Anonymous Author
Good overview for grading your own organization.

5
Anonymous Author
Easy to understand. To the point.

5
Anonymous Author
Good positive ideas for success.

4
Anonymous Author
Great examples.

5
Anonymous Author
Great course.

5
Anonymous Author
great course

5
Member's Profile
Enjoyed!

5
Member's Profile
Good

Prerequisites
Course Complexity: Intermediate

No Advanced Preparation or Prerequisites are needed for this course. 

Education Provider Information
Company: Illumeo, Inc., 75 East Santa Clara St., Suite 1215, San Jose, CA 95113
Contact: For more information regarding this course, including complaint and cancellation policies, please contact our offices at (408) 400- 3993 or send an e-mail to .
Instructor for this course
Course Syllabus
INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW
  Introduction to 5 Characteristics of Successful Organizations7:42
5 Characteristics of Successful Organizations
  Engaged Employees 13:43
  Authentic Communication 9:54
  Authentic Communication (Continued)11:23
  Compelling Mission 5:40
  Healthy Conflict 12:56
CONCLUSION
  Trust and Course Conclusion 12:14
Continuous Play
  5 Characteristics of Successful Organizations 1:13:31
SUPPORTING MATERIALS
  Slides: 5 Characteristics of Successful OrganizationsPDF
  5 Characteristics of Successful Organizations Glossary/IndexPDF
REVIEW and TEST
  REVIEW QUESTIONSquiz
 FINAL EXAMexam