
How to Fix Dysfunctional Team Dynamics
Key episode topics include: managing teams, managing difficult people, managing conflict, team dysfunction, organizational culture, communication styles, feedback, trust, employee performance management, leadership styles, leadership
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Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
Veteran IT Leader Will Decatur Joins MET Florida Board
Decatur's appointment highlights years of hands-on innovation and growth across Southwest Florida's IT sector. 'I've always believed IT should be invisible when it's working right,'— — Will Decatur, CTO, MET Florida FORT MYERS, FL, UNITED STATES, August 1, 2025 / / -- METFlorida is proud to announce the appointment of Will Decatur to its Board of Directors, formalizing a leadership role that has already shaped the company's growth for more than six years. Since taking on the position of Chief Technology Officer in 2018, Decatur has led the company's expansion from a boutique IT operation into a fully managed services provider serving businesses and government agencies across Southwest Florida. His board appointment marks a new chapter in MET Florida's evolution—one that reflects both the company's commitment to local economic impact and its increasing investment in emerging technologies like intelligent automation and AI-driven infrastructure. 'I've always believed IT should be invisible when it's working right,' said Decatur. 'Our job is to eliminate the distractions, clean up the noise, and help businesses get back to focusing on what they do best. Joining the board gives me a broader platform to ensure that mission stays at the core of everything we do.' Decatur's track record with MET Florida includes projects ranging from EHR deployments and data center builds to regional Microsoft 365 rollouts and zero-trust security initiatives. He's also played a key role in developing the company's multi-tiered service model, which offers Tier 1 through Tier 4 support—from help desk to executive technology strategy—under a single, transparent agreement. One of the largest growth drivers was the inclusion of at-cost software licensing for managed service clients—allowing businesses to consolidate expenses and avoid paying inflated retail rates for essential platforms like Microsoft 365, endpoint security, and cloud infrastructure. The approach has been especially effective for small to mid-sized businesses with limited IT staff, or large corporations seeking deep licensing discounts. Instead of relying on one overworked technician or juggling multiple vendors, clients get streamlined support with predictable billing and access to a deep bench of expertise. Under Decatur's technical leadership, MET Florida has solidified its presence in Southwest Florida, with ongoing efforts to expand into adjacent markets. His recent initiatives also include establishing the company as a registered vendor with regional governments, preparing it to compete for contracts involving public infrastructure, smart city initiatives, and municipal automation. 'A big part of my role has always been education,' Decatur added. 'Helping clients understand not just the technology, but how it impacts their compliance, their operations, and their bottom line. That's something we've baked into every service we offer.' In 2023, MET Florida formally restructured as a Florida-based C-corporation to support long-term growth and public sector alignment. The shift allowed the company to scale its licensing, compliance, and security offerings, while continuing to provide personalized service to the small business community. With a strong foundation in place, Decatur's board seat will allow him to focus more intently on MET Florida's strategic roadmap—advising on R&D investments, AI service lines, cybersecurity frameworks, and multi-vendor ecosystems designed to serve highly regulated industries. The board appointment also serves as a milestone in Decatur's broader career, one rooted in practical engineering and entrepreneurial execution. Prior to joining MET Florida, he led large-scale digital transformation efforts, including a multi-year modernization of the eScholar data platform for the state of Texas—one of the largest educational data systems in the country. In that role, he focused on managing secure identity for millions of student records and aligning cross-district operations—ensuring data integrity without unnecessary technical disruption. He also led the end-to-end development of a $2 million electronic health records system for a Texas healthcare organization, overseeing the full project lifecycle—from scoping and stakeholder alignment to compliance planning and go-live execution. Across both public and private sector work, Decatur has built a reputation for managing large teams, coordinating interdepartmental efforts, and aligning technical delivery with organizational strategy—all while staying accountable to budget and performance benchmarks. His leadership style emphasizes pragmatic innovation. 'AI, automation, cloud—these aren't buzzwords to me,' said Decatur. 'They're tools we use every day to reduce friction, cut costs, and improve outcomes for real businesses.' Decatur's role as both board member and CTO signals MET Florida's intention to stay agile and engineer-first as it expands its offerings in AI implementation, IT compliance, and small business enablement across the state. Beyond client work, Decatur has also been instrumental in supporting Southwest Florida's broader tech ecosystem. He's mentored up-and-coming IT professionals, partnered with local colleges for workforce development initiatives, and supported regional nonprofits in implementing secure, modern infrastructure. Looking ahead, Decatur plans to help MET Florida deepen its partnerships with local municipalities, education providers, and cloud vendors. His goal is to strengthen the company's ability to support digital modernization efforts across industries—especially those grappling with tight budgets, legacy systems, or heightened compliance pressures. 'We're entering a phase where automation and secure infrastructure are no longer nice-to-haves,' Decatur said. 'They're foundational. And our clients need solutions that meet those demands without breaking their budgets or disrupting their day-to-day.' ________________________________________ About MET Florida Founded in 2005, as METVI and later as METFL, merging these companies in 2023 to form MET Florida, MET Florida is a managed IT and technology services provider headquartered in Southwest Florida. The company specializes in IT support, cybersecurity, infrastructure, licensing, automation, and compliance for small and mid-sized organizations across healthcare, legal, nonprofit, and public sectors. MET Florida's mission is to give growing organizations a true technology partner—one that delivers high-quality, transparent, and deeply accountable support without the cost and complexity of traditional IT models. Through its multi-tiered service structure and vendor-neutral philosophy, the company provides a flexible approach to IT, offering clients everything from day-to-day troubleshooting to high-level infrastructure planning and project execution. MET Florida also maintains strong relationships with local ISPs, software providers, and cloud platforms, enabling integrated solutions that align with clients' business goals. As a Microsoft Partner and regional advocate for ethical tech adoption, MET Florida is committed to building long-term, trust-based relationships. From Naples to Sarasota, the company continues to lead by example—bridging the gap between innovation and execution. For more information or to schedule a free consultation visit MET Florida today. Michael Davis PR News email us here Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Facebook Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.


Fast Company
7 hours ago
- Fast Company
In uncertain times purpose-driven brands have the winning edge
Whether you're sitting at your desk at work or shopping at the grocery store, you can feel it: the shared sense of uncertainty in the air. Economic indicators are shifting; tariffs have impacted trade flows, and experts predict the nation's growth rate may be cut in half. Combined with broad geopolitical instability, this sense of economic uneasiness has seen consumer sentiment dip to its second-lowest point since 1952. In this challenging climate, even industry giants like Target, Walmart, and Apple are forecasting declines in profits and sales. Yet, history shows that periods of uncertainty often spark innovation and resilience. Brands that can adapt, communicate clearly, and build trust with their customers are well positioned not just to endure, but to lead. So, what can business leaders facing such turbulence do to persevere? Return to the compass that always points to a way to growth: delivering for the consumer. Showing up consistently, adapting with purpose, and becoming the steady heartbeat in their customers' increasingly chaotic world. The Power of Purpose in Uncertain Times As a counterbalance to all the bad news, resilient brands can become a source of strength and reassurance by understanding their consumers and delivering positive impact. In times of uncertainty, brands can improve their customers' day-to-day by bringing moments of joy and meaning into their lives. What's more, they can also deepen those consumer connections by demonstrating alignment with customer values and aspirations for the future. New research supports this call to action: 86% of consumers say brands play an important role in delivering a positive human future. But only 15% of companies are actively investing in efforts aligned to that purpose, a gap that speaks volumes. Consumers are quite willing to reward brands they see as positive difference-makers. They're nearly three times more likely to pay a premium, try new products and services, and even forgive mistakes from brands they think are working towards a better world. This is especially true among Gen Z consumers and younger generations, who prioritize brands that align with their ethical and social principles. So, what does it really mean to deliver a 'positive human future,' and how can brands demonstrate the commitment consumers are seeking? It doesn't mean you have to solve every global issue—you just have to show consumers that you understand their challenges and respond in ways that align to their values. When a single headline can shake markets and communities, consumers are looking for something steady to latch onto, and brands have the opportunity to hold strong. Think Big with Small Gestures For brands, this doesn't require a complete overhaul of business strategy or major new investments. It can start with a simple challenge: how can you show up in small, meaningful ways to brighten consumers' days and give them something to look forward to? Consumers today are seeking more than transactions; they want relationships. Nearly 50% of U.S. consumers are willing to pay more for brands that understand and respond to their needs—brands that listen, learn, and use what they hear to deliver amazing experiences. Take Little Spoon, for example. The baby food company didn't build trust by making grand gestures, but instead took the time to collaborate with parents and scientists to ensure parents have a voice in their child's health. They put their money where their mouth is to provide consistent engagement with parents through its ' Is This Normal ' community platform. They created a winning product that reflects real needs and values, showing up consistently for their customers when and where they needed them. They've successfully become more than a packaged good—they're a partner in parenting, building ardent fans through shared values. To follow in similar footsteps, there are several actions brands can take, starting with active listening and reliability. By using customer insights to understand what matters most, brands can reflect those priorities in their messaging and offerings and then communicate those priorities regularly and consistently. This requires ongoing dialogue and genuine responsiveness to customer feedback and changing needs. By ensuring consumers feel seen and heard, brands will not only build a customer base but also a community. This alignment becomes particularly powerful when economic pressures mount, and consumers are making more deliberate choices about where to spend their money. Above all, it's those small moments of joy that will make all the difference. Positive experiences don't require massive budgets, but they do require intentionality. Whether it's unexpected customer service excellence, community-building initiatives, or simply consistent, reliable communication, these moments transform into lasting relationships. Building Tomorrow's Resilient Brands The businesses that struggle during volatile times often share common characteristics: They become reactive rather than proactive, focus inward rather than on customer needs, or stop innovating to avoid risk. It's more important to show up for customers during times of turbulence than when the waters are calm. Every interaction becomes an opportunity to build trust. Every product decision becomes a chance to show values alignment. Every communication becomes a moment to provide clarity and reassurance. In a world where headlines shift by the hour, brands can emerge as a steady beacon. The brands that thrive aren't necessarily the biggest or the loudest, but those that prioritize real connection with their consumers; those that are able to deliver impact in their day-to-day, and in the world they inhabit. When purse strings tighten, brands that build real relationships, spark joy in the uncertainty, and support a positive human future will build the kind of consumer loyalty that pays dividends through good times and bad.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
US securities regulator announces AI task force
(Reuters) -The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission said on Friday that it is creating an artificial intelligence task force to lead the agency's efforts to "enhance innovation and efficiency" in its operations. Valerie Szczepanik, who has been named the SEC's chief AI officer, will lead the task force, the regulator said in a statement.