I was saddened to hear about the loss of Herb Kelleher, the founder of Southwest Airlines. I’ll never forget the time back in the early 1990s when I was invited to Texas to talk about the Great Game of Business with Herb and his team at Southwest. After I gave my talk, I figured everything I had shared about our open-book story wasn’t worth much given how big Southwest was and how many locations they operated out of. I wasn’t sure our Great Game system would work in a big company. Then Herb stood up. He took over the podium and told his leaders that there were only five things that could take out their company: their five unions. I admit I was shocked because I didn’t know they were a union company. But Herb then told his team that the only way their airline was going to make it was if they could teach everyone, all ninety thousand people—including every union employee—how the company made money and generated cash.

At the Great Game of Business, results go beyond the financial numbers. Behind the numbers are stories and real individuals. We've asked actual, current employees from our 2018 All-Star companies what they had to say about how the Great Game has affected them personally. See the top comments below!

Over 1,000 business books are published every month. Over 100 of those have ‘leadership’ in the title. It seems that we are always looking for new ways to lead in an ever-changing world of business. But has true leadership in the workplace ever really changed? Here’s another question to consider. Leadership in an open-book environment, how is it different?

Like many business leaders and owners, my partners and I found it difficult to find time to work “on” the business, because we were so busy working “in” the business. We were already working 60-hour workweeks and with a rapidly growing company, we feared working “on” the business would result in 70+ hour workweeks. Our company had increased the top line at a breakneck pace, but the bottom line lagged behind and our bonus plan was flawed.

You may be wondering if the Great Game of Business is what your company is looking for. We've asked our All-Stars what their most crucial advice is for companies considering implementing the Great Game of Business. Here is what you need to know from the best of the best in open-book management if you're looking into implementing the Great Game.

The For You Leaders podcast, hosted by Kirk Dando, focuses on actionable leadership and business growth insights from some of the world's best leaders. In this episode, Dando interviews the CEO of Kerbey Lane Cafe, Mason Ayer, as he explains what he's learned as the leader of a highly successful restaurant in Austin, Texas. Sneak Peek- What's Included in the Podcast: Mason’s transformation from his law career to becoming the CEO of the family business. How Mason chose to make this shift in his career, and the advice for those on the verge of making a significant life change. How Kerbey Lane Cafe uses open-book management to empower employees with financial information to help meet the goals of the business. What pushed Mason to implement open-book management, and how he overcame his initial resistance to the concept. How Mason aligns all of his employees with the company's EBITA goal. Why Kerbey Lane Cafe gives every hourly employee financial education. Challenges of transforming the business to open-book, and the impact on financials and culture. How the company is able to thrive in an area filled with successful restaurants. What every business leader can learn from the restaurant industry. The one job Mason recommends everyone have at least once in their life.

When I’m asked to explain the best way to talk with employees about company financials, I am reminded of an old axiom from Jack Stack, “Numbers are just stories about people.” And it’s true. All numbers on your financial statements have a story behind them – a story that explains how it came to be. When you communicate numbers and the stories behind them in accordance with open-book management, they take on a whole new meaning. Employees will begin to understand the “why” of what they do and how they can make a difference. Here are 7 things to help you “get to the stories behind the numbers”.

Gravitas Impact is a global coaching network that guides, challenges, and supports CEOs in their growing companies. They work with internationally-recognized thought leaders to help CEOs ignite groundbreaking insights to empower positive growth and ongoing success. This webinar hosted by Gravitas Impact President, Keith Cupp, features Jack Stack as they cover his role as a passionate leader over 35 years and concepts from the Great Game of Business. Sneak Peek- What's Included in the Webinar: What is the Great Game of Business and why does it make a difference? What are companies afraid of when implementing The Game and what are barriers to implementation? How SRC has not only survived four recessions, but doubled in value within five years of each of these economic downturns. What is SRC's Critical Number™? The Living Laboratory in Springfield, MO. The Great Game applied in Non-Profit organizations and international countries

Check out what drove the best of the best in open-book management to implement the Great Game as we asked companies from our 2018 All-Star Team, "Describe your Aha! moment. When did you know that the Great Game of Business was what your company needed?"

Check out what drove the best of the best in open-book management to implement the Great Game as we asked companies from our 2018 All-Star Team, "What motivated you to implement the Great Game of Business?"