Michael Cardinal: Leadership Excellence

Michael Cardinal: Leadership Excellence

Michael Cardinal: Leadership Excellence: this article highlights the transformative power of servant leadership witnessed firsthand from the incredible leader I met at Thirdera’s, Michael Cardinal. With a collaborative approach and a vision to elevate others, Michael has become a beacon of leadership, inspiring innovation, trust, and success across teams and organizations. As a Business Process leader myself, I always appreciated his generous sharing of best practices. His willingness to help out teams with best practices and strategies was world class!

Transformative Leadership experts know the power of prioritizing shared growth fosters innovation and resilience. A 2023 Deloitte study, found that teams with collaborative leadership are 5x more likely to perform well financially and achieve higher employee engagement.

This approach contrasts with competitive corporate norms, where survival of the fittest, and blame before being blamed, often overshadows collective success.

Making a Meaningful Impact: Michael Cardinal: Leadership Excellence:

Michael Cardinal’s approach was one of the first really amazing examples of authentic leadership philosophy, “Leave my campsite cleaner than I found it”—is a testament to how servant leadership drives success by elevating everyone around him.

I have watched him work, and appreciate his approach. He respects and engages everyone and makes them want to be part of something better.

Why Collaborative Leadership Matters

The Challenge: Breaking the Competitive Mindset

In corporate settings, a “survival of the fittest” mindset often prevails, leading to siloed knowledge and fragmented teamwork. According to Gartner, 70% of employees feel disconnected from their organization’s broader mission.

In ITSM and Digital transformation he refers to the rabbit hole.

Michael Cardinal Encourages Excellence by Starting Where You Are
Michael Cardinal advocates an approach that meets you and your team exactly where you are and then brings everyone together to create something truly meaningful. When enhancing IT Service Management (ITSM) and Digital Portfolio Management (DPM), he begins by outlining the fundamentals of “service.” By clarifying what a service truly is—beyond just technology—and then inviting leadership to collaborate, he ensures that value is both recognized and effectively delivered. This approach emphasizes a “start now” mentality, acknowledging that data and processes will mature over time through continuous improvement.

The Solution: Fostering Collaboration

Michael Cardinal’s leadership emphasizes shared success over individual gain, a principle proven to increase engagement and innovation. Harvard Business Review reports that collaborative teams are 50% more productive and generate more creative solutions.

Best Practices: Michael Cardinal: Leadership Excellence

1. Servant Leadership: Elevating Others

Michael’s mantra, “Leave my campsite cleaner than I found it,” highlights a commitment to improving every situation for the next person. This approach builds trust, creates goodwill, and fosters a culture of mutual respect.

2. Collaboration Over Competition

Rather than hoarding knowledge, Michael encourages open sharing to solve challenges collectively. Research from McKinsey shows that knowledge-sharing improves team performance by 25% and reduces turnover rates.

3. Visionary Team Building

Michael’s success at Thirdera exemplifies the power of teamwork. By nurturing individual talents and aligning them with strategic goals, he fosters environments where everyone thrives together.

4. Continuous Learning and Innovation

Michael’s hands-on expertise spans industries such as IT, retail, manufacturing, and education. His ability to integrate diverse perspectives fuels innovation, helping teams stay adaptable and competitive.

How to Implement Collaborative Leadership

1. Prioritize Team Empowerment

Promote Organizational Readiness and Education

What he shares about Digital Portfolio Management applies at the broader sense too. DPM consolidates data from multiple sources—potentially creating a “rabbit hole” of information—leaders must ensure that cross-functional teams (including business owners, architects, and developers) fully grasp how all of these data points interconnect. Investing in education around the Common Service Data Model (CSDM), performance analytics, and catalog management equips teams with the foundational knowledge they need to succeed. This collective understanding fosters a more sustainable and effective implementation.

  • Create opportunities for knowledge-sharing and collaboration.
  • Use feedback loops to ensure all voices are heard.

2. Build a Culture of Trust

  • Lead by example, demonstrating humility and accountability.
  • Celebrate team successes rather than focusing solely on individual achievements.

3. Encourage Personal and Professional Growth

  • Invest in training programs that enhance team capabilities.
  • Provide mentorship opportunities to foster development.

4. Measure and Iterate

  • Use metrics like employee engagement scores and productivity data to track progress.
  • Continuously refine leadership practices based on team feedback.

The Business Impact of Collaborative Leadership

Key Statistics

  • 5x Higher Financial Performance: Organizations with collaborative leaders outperform competitors.
  • 50% Greater Productivity: Teams that collaborate effectively achieve superior results.
  • 70% Improved Engagement: Employees feel more connected when they share a collective mission.

Case Study: Michael Cardinal at Thirdera

Under Michael’s leadership, Thirdera achieved:

  • Higher team satisfaction and retention rates.
  • Seamless alignment of strategy with individual goals.
  • A culture of innovation driven by shared knowledge and collaboration.

Conclusion: Michael Cardinal: Leadership Excellence is the Future with Collaboration

Michael Cardinal’s transformative leadership model offers a powerful roadmap for organizations seeking sustainable success. By embracing servant leadership, fostering collaboration, and aligning individual goals with collective missions, leaders can build resilient, innovative, and thriving teams.

Now is the time to embrace a leadership approach that elevates everyone and transforms organizations for the better.

Call to Action

Champion Continual Improvement

Finally, whatever the project, ServiceNow, ITSM, DPM or beyond is not a one-and-done exercise; business thrives on an ongoing process of incremental enhancements. Encouraging teams to celebrate and view success as an evolving capability—rather than a static solution—keeps them motivated to seek, track, and measure improvements. By embedding continuous improvement into the organization’s culture, leaders can consistently refine their practices and management strategies, thereby driving higher levels of value realization.

🌟 Start fostering collaborative leadership in your organization today! Share this article to inspire others or connect with us to explore actionable strategies for success. #Leadership #Collaboration #Innovation

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