The BK Exchange

5 Companies with Counterintuitive Leadership Practices, and How Employees Are the Better for It

on Jun 11 2026

Our new release talks about leadership using the SERVE model. It’s a pretty solid and tested approach (with over 700,000 copies sold, so it has some staying power). But this got us thinking: are there other leadership models that are not just different, but downright counterintuitive and even a little “out there,” yet still seem to work and serve their people?Turns out there are, and here are five of our favorites:

The BK Exchange

5 Major Companies That Fought Against the DEI Backlash—and Won

on May 01 2026

Our newest release talks about the importance of standing up to measures that reduce equity in the workplace. Many companies—including Google, Target, and Walmart—scaled back DEI efforts in response to backlash, citing marketplace and social pressures. The five companies below did not—and were rewarded for holding their ground:

The BK Exchange

5 Huge Lapses in Trust: What Happened, What Was Done in Response, and the Lessons Learned

on Feb 11 2026

Trust, as Dennis and Michelle Reina discuss in their latest book, The Art of Trust Building, is a crucial factor not only in personal and professional environments, but in the world as a whole. Over the past several decades, there have been significant national and international lapses in trust. What matters most is how that trust—once broken at such a large scale—is repaired. Below are five historical examples of how trust has been rebuilt.

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5 Real-World Examples of DEI Done Wrong

on Jan 06 2026

Diversity and inclusion are important and relevant strategies for creating a more level playing field—but, as our book Fixing Fairness makes clear, they have to be done right. When poorly designed or executed, DEI efforts can backfire and create more problems than they solve. Below are five real-world examples of well-intentioned DEI initiatives that went wrong—and why.

The BK Exchange

5 Historical Examples of Great Trust Won from a Distance

on Dec 04 2025

Our book Trust at a Distance outlines 6 strategies for leaders to build trust when people are working remotely. Earning trust without being physically present is challenging, but history offers many examples of people who gained the confidence of others through effective long-distance communication. Here are five:

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Three Ways to Catch a Liar That You Thought Worked (But Don't) and Four Ways That Do

on Aug 28 2025

We think we know how to catch liars, but according to research released over the last year or so, we really do not. We’ve picked up bad information from movies and television and even some unreliable "scientific" sources. So what do the scientists really say about what is and isn't valid when trying to catch a liar?

The BK Exchange

Listening in Leadership: The Radical Listening Difference

on May 07 2025

In today's fast-paced world, where communication often feels rushed and superficial, the art of listening has never been more critical. As leaders strive to foster environments of trust and collaboration, the concept of 'Radical Listening' emerges as a transformative approach that goes beyond conventional listening techniques. This blog post explores the profound impact of Radical Listening on leadership, offering insights into how this empathetic practice can revolutionize the way leaders connect with their teams. By embracing Radical Listening, leaders can unlock deeper understanding, enhance team dynamics, and ultimately drive more meaningful and purpose-driven success.