OCTOBER 2021
Becoming a Trusted, Authentic Leader
Over the course of his 28-year professional career, Scott Blanchard was known in his organization as both a “key innovator” and a “chief disruption officer,” depending on who you talked to. As a result, people were understandably cautious when Scott took on the role of company president just before COVID-19 turned the L&D world—and the company—upside down.
In an all-hands meeting immediately following the announcement of his promotion, Blanchard decided to share his leadership point of view with the company. For people who didn’t really know him yet, it was a way to introduce himself. For those who knew him well, it was a way to share more deeply the people and events that influenced his leadership style, as well as the values that would guide his journey as president.
“I talked about my need for forthrightness,” said Blanchard.