Tenacious C
Newsletter #107
This Week:
A Cultural Reset at Indiana University
ICYMI: Prepping for a VIP Visit
Just for Laughs
Before We Go…
1. From Unknown to Unstoppable: What Strategic Comms Leaders Can Learn from Curt Cignetti’s Culture Reset
Two years ago, almost no one beyond football insiders had heard of Curt Cignetti. He wasn’t a household name, a blue-blood coach from the Power 5, or an up-and-coming assistant coach from last year’s championship team. Instead, he was quietly winning everywhere he went — at small programs that needed exactly what he built: belief, standards, and consistency.
Before Bloomington came calling, Cignetti had compiled a head coaching record of 145–37 across four programs including a turnaround at Elon University (14–9 after years of losing), and spectacular success at James Madison University (52–9), where he helped lead the Dukes into the FBS ranks.
Yet when Indiana University, a program long notorious for losing, hired him on Nov. 30, 2023, the reaction was muted. His résumé did not foreshadow victory. His successes were built far from college football’s glamour programs, in places where wins had to be engineered, not inherited.
P.S. — Indiana Quarterback Fernando Mendoza is raising funds for the National MS Society in honor of his mother, who lives with the disease. You can donate toward his $250,000 goal here. (H/T to Beth Ochsner for the find.)
2. ICYMI: So You Have a VIP Visiting? Turn a Good Meeting Into a Memorable One
Photo: University of Nebraska at Omaha
Last week marked 10 years since your EO Report writers, Erin and Kelly, supported the White House when President Barack Obama visited the University of Nebraska at Omaha. It was a full week of sleepless nights, tens of thousands of steps, and an unbelievable amount of preparation. Learn more about the visit here.
Some of the lessons from that day made it into our recent article about steps to take when you have a VIP visiting your organization.
3. Just for Laughs
4. Before We Go…
From Yahoo Sports: Bills' statement firing Sean McDermott had an embarrassing typo
Nothing undermines a serious message quite like a typo. (H/T to Beth Ochsner for the find.)
Last year, Australia implemented a social media ban for anyone under the age of 16. Will the UK be next?
From Small Talk: Gen X is losing its mind over workplace communication
The piece is a reminder that changing communication styles at work aren’t a sign of disrespect, just different (and equally valid) ways people show up and get things done. (H/T to Sarah McGowan for the find.)
Be a champion — forward The EO Report.