Logo for “SAM Management Pulse” featuring a stylized electrocardiogram line integrated with the SAM logo. The background is a dark blue digital grid, and the heartbeat line glows in bright neon blue, emphasizing the concept of monitoring the pulse of contemporary management trends.

NI Holdings’ New CEO: Turning Board Confidence into Execution

NI Holdings, a provider of specialty insurance and business services, has appointed Cindy Launer as President and CEO effective October 10, 2025. She succeeds Seth Daggett, who stepped down to pursue other opportunities. Launer is no stranger to the organization. She has served on the company’s board of directors and previously stepped in as interim CEO, giving her an established reputation within both leadership and operational circles.

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Leadership Links # 18

This week’s edition focuses on execution under pressure and the structures leaders use to turn strategy into results. Virgin Atlantic selects a proven operator to steer reliability and premium experience. ANZ lays out a tougher, clearer plan that ties costs to outcomes. FedEx finalizes a freight spin-off team to unlock cycle-specific focus. Volkswagen Group confirms a CEO to scale SEAT and CUPRA through electrification. HBR closes with a practical playbook for when old success conditions vanish.

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The Power of Everyday Forgiveness: Letting Go Without Letting Down

Forgiveness is often seen as a deeply personal virtue, something reserved for close relationships or moments of profound hurt. In the workplace, however, forgiveness plays an essential but often overlooked role in leadership. When conflict, mistakes, or unmet expectations arise, the ability to forgive allows a leader to reset the tone and restore trust. This doesn’t mean ignoring problems or letting people off the hook. Instead, forgiveness gives us a way to move forward without letting the past permanently stain the relationship.

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Jonathan Steinberg Announced as Keynote Speaker for Educational Research & Measurement Day at the 2026 SAM International Business Conference

The Society for Advancement of Management (SAM) is proud to announce Jonathan Steinberg, Director of Research and Analytics at EurekaFacts, as a Keynote Speaker for Educational Research & Measurement Day during the 2026 SAM International Business Conference, taking place March 16–21, 2026, at the New England Institute of Technology in Rhode Island.

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Steven Holtzman Announced as Featured Presenter for Educational Research & Measurement Day at the 2026 SAM International Business Conference

The Society for Advancement of Management (SAM) is proud to announce Steven Holtzman, Senior Scientist at the Human Resources Research Organization (HumRRO), as a Featured Presenter for Educational Research & Measurement Day during the 2026 SAM International Business Conference, taking place March 16–21, 2026, at the New England Institute of Technology in Rhode Island.

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Dr. Felice D. Billups Announced as Special Presenter for Educational Research & Measurement Day at the 2026 SAM International Business Conference

The Society for Advancement of Management (SAM) is proud to announce Dr. Felice D. Billups, Ed.D., Professor of Educational Leadership at Johnson & Wales University, as a Special Presenter for Educational Research & Measurement Day during the 2026 SAM International Business Conference, taking place March 16–21, 2026, at the New England Institute of Technology in Rhode Island.

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Leadership Links #17

This week’s edition spotlights how companies are tuning leadership roles to match strategy in a fast moving market. Microsoft is creating a dedicated commercial CEO to tighten execution while Satya Nadella concentrates on AI and core architecture. Apple’s succession chatter centers on hardware leadership. H-E-B advances an experienced operator to a historic first. S&P Dow Jones Indices chooses a derivatives and data veteran to lead its next chapter, and Unilever strengthens people leadership across customer development, supply chain, and digital work.

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Accountability Without Authority: Holding Everyone to a Higher Standard

Accountability often brings to mind images of confrontation, discipline, or even public reprimand. In many workplaces, the word has been misused so frequently that it now carries a negative tone. Yet accountability, when practiced with intention and care, is one of the most valuable tools for personal and organizational growth. Rather than a mechanism for blame, it should serve as a structure for clarity, consistency, and shared purpose.

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Relationship-Centered Leadership: The Model That Actually Lasts

Leadership is often described in terms of outcomes, such as hitting performance targets or managing change. While results matter, the most enduring form of leadership is built on relationships. The quality of your connections with others determines how much influence you have, how well your team functions, and how resilient your workplace culture becomes over time. Leadership is not just what you accomplish. It is how you relate to others while doing it.

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Logo for “SAM Management Pulse” featuring a stylized electrocardiogram line integrated with the SAM logo. The background is a dark blue digital grid, and the heartbeat line glows in bright neon blue, emphasizing the concept of monitoring the pulse of contemporary management trends.

CarMax CEO Transition: Turning Leadership Change into Strategic Renewal

CarMax’s announcement that CEO Bill Nash will step down marks more than a change in leadership. It represents a deliberate opportunity for renewal. By appointing board member David McCreight as interim CEO, the company signaled a commitment to stability, transparency, and strategic reset. For managers, this transition illustrates how leadership changes can serve as moments to refocus strategy, refresh culture, and strengthen stakeholder confidence.

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Leadership Links #22

This week’s Leadership Links tracks five moves that turn strategy into results. Diageo names Dave Lewis to sharpen brand focus, Newmont details integration after its Newcrest deal, MongoDB signals product speed with a planned handoff, Honeywell’s aerospace spinout picks an insider to set Day One pace, and Britannia maps a steady path through a leadership change.

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Loyalty Without Blindness: How to Stay Committed While Staying Honest

Loyalty has long been viewed as a virtue in the workplace. Employees who are considered loyal are often praised for their commitment and reliability. However, today’s work environments are fast-moving and constantly evolving. As a result, loyalty cannot mean what it used to. It should no longer be defined by blind allegiance or staying in place no matter the circumstances. Loyalty now involves mutual respect, honesty, and a shared commitment to the greater mission. It must be redefined as active engagement rather than passive agreement.

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