On this episode of The Leadership Growth Podcast, Daniel and Peter take a deep dive into one of the most popular videos on the Stewart Leadership website: The Tale of the Three Envelopes.

In this story, a new CEO receives three envelopes from the previous CEOs. The new CEO tucks them away and forgets about them. As he struggles in his role, he takes out the first two envelopes every few months and finds a new tactic to try. Unfortunately, neither of these approaches work, and he is forced to read the third letter.

The third letter says only, “write three new letters.”

As Daniel and Peter break down what went wrong in the fictional CEO’s approach, they offer some tips and guidance about how leaders can succeed in their roles–and avoid that third letter.

Tune in to learn:

• The risks of “boxology”
• The main takeaway from the Three Envelope Story
• The one thing you need for a successful restructure

Plus, a helpful productivity tool for busy people, and memories of John Parker Stewart’s office.

In this episode:

2:05 – Insight of the Week

6:37 – Memory Lane: Dad’s Office

10:23 – Topic: The Three Envelopes

35:37 – Lightning Round

Resources:

“Virtual coworking spaces aim to offer best of remote productivity and in-person collaboration,” Fast Company, May 9, 2023

The 9 Natural Laws of Leadership, by Dr. Warren Blank, Amacom Press, 1995

Stewart Leadership Insights and Resources:

• Video: The Tale of the Three Envelopes
• Ten Ways to Successfully Launch into Your First 90 Days
• What C-Level Executives Need for Their First 100 Days
• The #1 Missing Element when Organizational Change Fails
• 5 Questions to Answer Before Your Next Hard Conversation
• Four Keys to Creating Accountability

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For more great content or to learn about how Stewart Leadership can help you grow your ability to lead effectively, please visit stewartleadership.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.