Melanie Kalmar

When we say people are our most powerful asset, we mean it! The Lubrizol Corporation hosted its first ever executive leadership summit for the leaders of groups that our employees own-> our employee resource groups. These amazing leaders accomplished so much this week and demonstrated insight, innovation, elevation of employee perspectives and needs, and a commitment to enhance our employees’ experience. While it’s hard to include everything they touched on and explored here a brief snapshot of the things they touched: 1. Creating people connections 2. Going to where our people do their work 3. Tying in everything we do into the flow of work 4. How to partner with critical business stakeholders like communications, talent acquisition, HR, managers, executive leaders, our community investment, & more! 5. Understanding how they move our business strategy forward and have impact! I’m also tremendously proud of the unique backgrounds and global perspectives they bring to the table- scientists, engineers, HR, legal, Quality, supply chain, logistics, toxicology, safety, security, operations… Thank you to our these leaders who made it happen: *and for those eagle eyed viewers…you may notice some lemons 🍋 “when life gives you lemons…recognize those that have impacted your life & make lemonade with them!”* #peopleispeople

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The Illusion of Legacy: Embracing Real Leadership Reflecting on the importance of #legacy, I've come to question its significance. Often driven by a fear of non-existence, many of us chase after a legacy, only to see it sacrificed by changing circumstances and new #leadership. Instead of striving for a legacy, we should focus on living an authentic, value-driven life. A gentle reminder that our actions today matter more than what we leave behind. Embracing gratitude, kindness, and contentment is the key to effective leadership and a fulfilling life. Read my insights in my recent article published on The Economic Times HRWorld: https://lnkd.in/gYEUNBA8 #Leadership #Legacy #Values #HR #Leaders

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1. Assess you business strategy and position 2. Lean into reinvention- collect input from the organization across functions and levels- prioritize 3. Re-assess your leadership team and skill-set- for ability to lead through change 4. Hit go!

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Does your company grow with you? Here is what I’ve experienced and my challenge to those reviewing their current company for fit as I celebrate 6 years at The Lubrizol Corporation. While the company has changed so much during my tenure- I have too. In the last six years I went from Technology, Applications, & Service Lab Manager to Global Culture Program Manager to New Business Development Manager to Sr. Manager of Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity in Action (IDEA) to Sr. Manager of Culture, Engagement & IDEA. Does your company offer the flexibility to move like that? I went from 3 degrees to 5 with Lubrizol supporting both my MBA and my DBA. And completed multiple leadership programs at Lubrizol. Will they invest in you? Won our company’s prestigious Luminary Award for striving to be better every day.But even more than that-my peers, co-workers, and leaders take time to recognize me in all the little ways. Do they recognize you? I’ve enjoyed some of the best leaders I could have ever asked for. What some might even classify as “enlightened” leaders, that taught by example and trust: Derek Phillips , Cheree Aspelin , Mike Fornes , David Szabo , Lesley Muscarnero Do you have leaders that give you their best and teach you how to enable others to be their best? I’ve also went through numerous life changes into including adding two small humans to my portfolio alongside of countless friends from Lubrizol. Honestly too many amazing people to name in one post. Do you have people who genuinely care about you at work outside of your daily deliverables? Life is about how you live it and enjoy it-if you don’t-ask yourself some of those questions and make some choices. Enjoy the ride-as my friend from Leadership Circles says Ricky Woofter Shreyasi Lahiri

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Fuel Your Leadership This Holiday Season Take time to reflect, recharge, and refocus with Fuel to Lead. This book is packed with practical insights and strategies to inspire leaders at every level. A perfect holiday read to help you step into 2025 with purpose, vision, and impact. Available now at leading bookstores and online. #FuelToLead #HolidayReads #Leadership

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Protecting the planet from the challenges of climate change, preserving our natural resources, and keeping our employees and communities safe are critical to a #sustainable future for all. Learn how we’re working to protect people and the planet through this year’s Sustainability Report at dupont.com/sustainability. #IWorkforDuPont #InnovationNow #Sustainability

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🌟🌟🌟𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽: 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #Effective leadership is fundamentally about people. By embracing a people-centred approach, leaders can unlock the full potential of their teams, cultivate a positive workplace culture, and drive meaningful results. Organizations that prioritize people over processes and strategies are more likely to thrive in the long run. As we navigate the complexities of modern leadership, let us always remember that at the heart of every successful initiative lies a strong connection between individuals. After all, leadership is indeed all about people. #Leadership #HumanElement #EmployeeEngagement #TrustBuilding #OrganizationalSuccess #EffectiveLeadership #PeopleFirst #Empowerment #WorkplaceCulture #TeamSuccess #LeadershipDevelopment #Motivation #InclusiveWorkplace #Productivity #EmployeeWellbeing

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I talk often about what the process is that the human brain goes through for #decisionmaking and how that process relates to #marketing, the #customerjourney, and #business. I thought for today I’d share this short clip of the pioneer of decision making science, Harvard University Professor Daniel Kahneman. His groundbreaking book, #ThinkingFastandSlow, changed my perspective on everything. In this clip, he clearly lays out the process in simple terms. https://lnkd.in/gfrZtdRu

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Over the holiday break, I thought about books that profoundly influenced my thinking over the last several years. Here is a brief description of four of those. You may also find one or more of these helpful. Quiet (2013), Susan Cain. A well-researched and readable book. She helps us understand that introverts and extroverts differ by how they recharge their energy, especially with respect to external stimulation. Introverts are not “shy,” they are drained and exhausted by crowds, noise, and chaos, and withdraw to preserve their energy. Extroverts thrive in such environments, recharging themselves. Anxious Generation (2024), Jonathan Haidt. A well researched and eye-opening book, he shows how overprotective parenting and phone-based childhood experiences detrimentally impact the mental, emotional, and physical development of children and youth. Many of the observations about social media apply to adults as well. He provides strong recommendations to regain control of children’s healthy development, recommendations good for all of us. Team Topologies (2019), Manuel Pais & Matthew Skelton. This helped me better understand specific types of teams within technological organizations (such as “platform teams” and “enabling teams”), how those teams support one another, and how to structure them to be as effective as possible. Death by Meeting (2004), Patrick Lencioni. This comes in the form of fictional narrative, helping us discover truths as the main character discovers them. By the end of the book, the author recommends four different types of meetings, each with a distinct focus, purpose, duration, and cadence. It is extremely helpful for any meeting-heavy organization.

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Happy Earth Day 2024! At The Lubrizol Corporation we know that smart choices can partner the Planet AND Plastics for a sustainable, safe and healthy future. Not all plastic pollutes. Without plastics we can't make wind blades, EVs, charging stations, cell phones, laptops, safety equipment or medical devices. Our shared journey to a more sustainable future will require innovation in polymer science that enhances the circularity of the plastics we do need, while each of us makes better choices in our daily lives about the plastics we don't need. #EarthDay2024 #PanetANDPlastics #SustainableInnovation

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For years I had the privilege of being a business coach. I loved serving leaders who cared about making their organizations and people better. It also offered me the opportunity to take a front-row seat to 100's of unique leadership styles, cultures, and org structures. This helped me develop a conviction about what kind of leaders and cultures really do enable companies to outperform their competitors over the long term. When I became CEO at SaverSystems I emphasized three things: 1.) Transitioning to an owner's mentality - As an ESOP, each employee is an owner. We are all partners. This changes how we look at our work and our fellow coworkers 2.) Driving fear out of the organization - The goal is to remove the crippling influence of fear from the organization. Leaders must create an environment where authority is distributed, and risk is understood and managed collectively. This way, people feel empowered to make decisions without fear of undue consequences. 3.) Equal measures of Authority and Accountability - When we give people authority in our company it is to be used for the betterment of all. And with that authority comes an equal amount of accountability. More authority brings more accountability. This is because the strongest antidote to the corruptive power of authority is matching it in equal amounts to accountability. So we are all accountable to each other and the organization’s values. This means that if anyone, including myself as CEO, acts in a way that is contrary to our values or mission, it is everyone’s responsibility to hold that person accountable. We are always striving to improve, but I'm confident in what our team will be able to accomplish if we continue to build on this three-legged stool.

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Ignite Your Leadership Today Discover Fuel to Lead—your go-to guide for practical insights and strategies to lead with purpose and impact. Why not start today? Take the first step toward inspired leadership and meaningful growth. Available now at bookstores and online. #FuelToLead #LeadershipNow #TakeTheLead

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Ready for the next "Change Digest Nugget"? Today I would like to share what I call the 'Communication Miracle'. Simon Sinek, a British-American author focusing on leadership and change, quoted that communication is not about saying what we think but ensuring others hear what we mean. These two sentences got stuck in my head. Why? Because they are so simple and so true. It is important that we realize that how and what we communicate might not “reach” the other side. Not because our counterparts speak a different language or are not capable to. Or because they have a different educational background. It is about making people understand the meaning of our communication, the essence of our message. We must put ourselves in the shoes of our counterparts, take their perspective: what is important for them to understand from the message I want to bring across? Do they have all relevant information to understand my message? Is my message touching their pain points and challenges? We need empathy for this, and care. This provides clarity to the people around us. Another great opportunity to have an impact. I wish you a wonderful day and a great start into the week.

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Today, DuPont published the 2024 Sustainability Report highlighting the exceptional progress made towards our 2030 Sustainability Goals. I’m excited to be part of a company that’s using science and innovation to advance sustainability. Learn more about how we’re working to create a more sustainable world at dupont.com/sustainability . #DuPont#Sustainability#InnovationNow

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🌈 Intersex Awareness Day: Celebrating Diversity and Advocating for Rights 🌈 Today, we recognize Intersex Awareness Day—a vital moment to raise awareness, celebrate diversity, and amplify intersex voices. Intersex individuals are born with natural variations in sex characteristics that don’t fit typical definitions of male or female bodies. These variations are a beautiful part of human diversity, but intersex people often face stigma, discrimination, and unnecessary medical interventions. Here’s how we can support intersex individuals and contribute to a more inclusive world: 1. Listen and Learn: Understanding intersex experiences helps challenge stereotypes and dismantle biases. Follow intersex advocates, read personal stories, and educate yourself on the challenges intersex people face. 2. Advocate for Bodily Autonomy: Intersex children are often subject to non-consensual surgeries to “normalize” their bodies. Advocating for policies that protect bodily autonomy ensures intersex people have the right to make decisions about their own bodies. 3. Stand Against Discrimination: Intersex people face discrimination in healthcare, education, and employment. By supporting intersex-inclusive policies, we create a fairer and safer world for everyone. 4. Celebrate Intersex Pride: Intersex individuals contribute in countless ways to our communities, culture, and society. Let’s celebrate their uniqueness and resilience. By showing solidarity, we can help build a world where intersex people are seen, heard, and respected. Let’s make every day a day of awareness, understanding, and acceptance. 💛💜

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Just finished the course “Managing Stress for Positive Change” by Heidi Hanna! Check it out: https://lnkd.in/gT4hrVfw #stressmanagement.

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Protecting the planet from the challenges of climate change, preserving our natural resources, and keeping our employees and communities safe are critical to a #sustainable future for all. Learn how we’re working to protect people and the planet through this year’s Sustainability Report at dupont.com/sustainability. #IWorkforDuPont #InnovationNow #Sustainability

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𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗣𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹: 𝗔 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 "Unleash the Leader Within Empowering Teams for Lasting Success" is a call to action for individuals and organizations to recognize and develop inherent leadership qualities that exist in everyone. By fostering a culture where team members are encouraged to share ideas, take ownership of projects, and collaborate effectively, organizations can create high-performing teams that are resilient and adaptable. This empowerment leads to innovative solutions, improved morale, and ultimately, enduring success as teams work together towards common goals with a shared sense of purpose and commitment. Unlock your potential and discover the leader within you! 🌟 Join us on a journey to empower teams and cultivate an environment where lasting success thrives. Together, we can inspire collaboration, drive innovation, and achieve greatness. Let's unleash our leadership skills and make a difference! 💪✨ #Leadership #TeamSuccess #Empowerment #LeadershipDevelopment #TeamEmpowerment #Innovation #HighPerformingTeams #ResilientLeadership #LeadershipJourney #TeamCollaboration #EmpowerTeams #SuccessMindset #OrganizationalGrowth #UnlockPotential #LeadershipSkills #CollaborativeCulture #InnovationLeadership #EmpowermentJourney https://lnkd.in/d34fVg4V

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