"A strong company culture is crucial for engagement and performance."
Lisa Tanzer has dedicated her career to spreading optimism and fostering positive change through her work at Life is Good, a $100 million lifestyle brand. With a background in marketing and executive leadership across various sectors, Lisa has become a prominent figure in promoting company culture and employee engagement. In 2024, she joined CEO Coaching International as a partner and coach, where she leveraged her extensive experience to guide other leaders. In this interview, Lisa shares insights into her journey, the importance of culture in high-performing teams, and her vision for inspiring others.
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Thank you for joining us today, Lisa. Your journey with Life is Good has been quite remarkable. Can you share how your early involvement with “Project Joy” shaped your path to becoming the President of Life is Good?
Lisa Tanzer: Absolutely! My journey began in 1990 when I joined the board of Project Joy, a small play therapy program. This experience ignited my passion for helping children and fostering positivity, which aligns perfectly with the core mission of Life is Good. Over the years, that program evolved into the Life is Good Foundation, which positively impacts over a million kids each year. This foundation is not just about business for me; it’s a personal commitment to spreading joy and optimism.
You have an extensive background in marketing and leadership roles across various sectors. How did these experiences prepare you for your current role?
Lisa Tanzer: My time at companies like Hasbro, Gillette, and Staples provided me with invaluable insights into brand management and consumer engagement. For instance, while at Staples, I was part of the team that developed the “Easy Button” campaign, which focused on making the customer experience as frictionless as possible. These experiences taught me the importance of understanding both consumer needs and employee perspectives, which has been crucial in my role at Life is Good.
You recently joined CEO Coaching International as a partner and coach. What motivated this transition?
Lisa Tanzer: After years of leading and growing businesses, I wanted to share my knowledge and experiences to help others achieve their own successes. Joining CEO Coaching International allows me to combine my passion for coaching with proven methods that can help executives navigate their challenges. I truly believe in the power of mentorship and am excited to assist other leaders in making BIG things happen.
You’ve mentioned the importance of company culture in building high-performing teams. Could you elaborate on that?
Lisa Tanzer: Certainly! A strong company culture is crucial for engagement and performance. I believe that the best teams live and embody the company’s mission, vision, and values. This isn’t just about having a poster on the wall; it’s about ensuring that every employee understands and feels connected to the company’s purpose. For example, at Life is Good, we have core values that we refer to as “Superpowers” — openness, courage, simplicity, humor, gratitude, compassion, and fun. These values guide our actions and help foster a sense of belonging and commitment among our team.
In your experience, what are some key traits of high-performing teams?
Lisa Tanzer: High-performing teams share five key traits:
- Living the Mission: They actively embody the company’s mission and values.
- Owning Company Culture: Culture is a collective responsibility, not just for leadership.
- Hiring and Firing for Fit: It’s vital to hire for both competency and cultural fit.
- Regular Conversations About Goals: Teams must integrate goals into everyday discussions to keep everyone aligned.
- Caring for Each Other: High-performing teams genuinely care about their colleagues and the organization as a whole.
That’s insightful! What advice would you give to CEOs looking to cultivate such an environment?
Lisa Tanzer: My advice would be to prioritize the alignment of incentives across all levels of the organization. Ensure that every team member understands how their contributions impact the company’s goals. Also, genuinely care for your employees as individuals, not just as resources. When they feel valued on a personal level, their engagement and performance will naturally improve.
Jed Morley, VIP Contributor to ValiantCEO and the host of this interview would like to thank Lisa Tanzer for taking the time to do this interview and share her knowledge and experience with our readers.
If you would like to get in touch with Lisa Tanzer or her company, you can do it through her – Linkedin Page
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