Management
Mitigate Loneliness on Your Team
Loneliness isn’t just a personal struggle—it’s a workplace challenge that quietly erodes trust, creativity, and performance. As a leader, you can counteract it by embedding connection directly into how your team works. Here’s where to start. Build team cohesion through shared identity. Create shared narratives and simple rituals that reinforce belonging—for example, quarterly “culture calibrations” […]
257257Avoiding the AI Experimentation Trap
With headlines questioning AI’s value, it’s tempting to see experimentation as a waste. But the real problem isn’t trying new things—it’s unfocused efforts that fail to connect to real business opportunities. To avoid repeating past mistakes, you need a disciplined approach. Frame AI as part of a bigger shift. Don’t treat AI as an isolated […]
257257Should You Delegate That Decision?
As a senior leader, your calendar is packed, and the decisions you have to make are many. But not every call should be yours to make. To lead effectively—and sustainably—you need to delegate the right decisions to the right people. Ask these four questions to figure out what to hand off, and to whom. Who’s […]
257257Protect Your Team in a Toxic Culture
When morale is low and organizational dysfunction is high, your team needs more than encouragement—they need protection. As a leader, your job is to buffer them from organizational chaos. Here’s how. Set clear standards. Don’t passively inherit the culture around you. Instead, co-create a team identity based on shared values. Define how you’ll treat each […]
257257How to Manage a Sprawling Team—Without Burning Out
When your team expands rapidly but your support system doesn’t, the result is often leadership overload. Here’s how to adjust your approach so you don’t get buried—and your team doesn’t burn out. Reset how you work—together. Don’t lead a large team like a small one. Revisit your availability, role in decisions, and team routines. Set […]
257257The Upside of Amateurism
The more expertise you gain over the course of your career, the easier it is to fall into routine. Mastery can end up quietly limiting your flexibility, creativity, and curiosity. To stay mentally agile, you need to regularly escape your comfort zone. Here’s how to apply strategic amateurism—the practice of intentionally becoming a beginner again. […]
257257Stop Treating Company Culture Like a Campaign
Company culture isn’t built through values posters or wellbeing perks. It’s shaped by what senior leaders do—especially when it’s hard. If you want culture to stick, shift your focus from messaging to behavior. Start with how your leadership team actually operates. Don’t roll out new values until your leadership habits reflect them. Ask: Where are […]
257257Use Systems Thinking to Innovate More Sustainably
Today’s business problems are more complex than ever, and innovating solutions to those problems without considering systemic impact can backfire. To avoid unintended harm to people and the environment, it’s critical to apply a simplified systems-thinking approach to help you identify patterns, connect stakeholders, and guide change. Here’s how. Identify your North Star. Don’t just […]
257257The Foundational Skills That Will Future-Proof Your Team
In a world where technical skills age quickly, it’s foundational strengths—like problem-solving, collaboration, and adaptability—that set high performers apart. If you’re hiring, leading, or developing talent, here’s how to focus your efforts where they’ll matter most. Hire beyond what’s on the résumé. Don’t just screen for niche expertise. Ask candidates how they approach uncertainty, learn […]
257257Translate Strategy into Meaning and Action
When big strategic changes are announced from the top, they often feel abstract or irrelevant to the people doing the day-to-day work. As a leader, your job is to translate strategy into meaning and action. Here’s how. Gauge your team’s mindset. Don’t assume everyone shares your enthusiasm. Consider what motivates them and what they might […]
257257Emotions Are a Leadership Asset
If you treat emotions like distractions, you’re missing out on one of your most powerful leadership tools. Emotional intelligence isn’t about being touchy-feely—it’s about using emotional data to lead with clarity, resilience, and trust. Here’s how to make that shift. Notice what emotions are telling you. Start by paying attention to physical cues, energy shifts, […]
257257How to Respond When Fake News Targets Your Company
Fake news often spreads faster than the truth—and it can damage an organization’s reputation hard. But fact-checking alone won’t stop it. Use this three-part framework to protect your brand. Monitor for social resonance, not just mentions. Don’t just track fake news—analyze who’s amplifying it and who’s most influenced. Use social-listening tools, train employees to flag […]
257257Set Communication Norms to Avoid Costly Confusion
Without clear norms, communication can become a productivity killer. Messages get ignored, decisions are delayed, and burnout rises. If you want to build a high-performing team, you need to establish shared rules for how, when, and where information flows. Here’s how. Clarify responsiveness expectations. Teams often misread urgency. Some reply instantly to casual emails; others […]
257257Leaders, Don’t Bring Your Whole Self to Work
“Bring your whole self to work” may sound empowering, but in senior leadership, it can do more harm than good. Transparency is valuable—but only when it’s strategic. As a leader, your job isn’t to share everything; it’s to project clarity, earn trust, and foster stability. Here’s how to stay authentic without oversharing. Curate, don’t conceal. […]
2572573 More Types of Everyday Courage
Yesterday we outlined three types of everyday courage, and how to develop them. Here are three more types of courage you can practice daily—especially when the stakes are high. Intellectual courage: Question your own thinking. Model rethinking by saying, “Here’s my logic—what might I be missing?” Invite critique to normalize learning and adaptation. Don’t tie […]
2572573 Types of Everyday Courage
Courage isn’t just for crisis moments—it’s a leadership skill you can build through consistent, values-aligned action. Start by focusing on these three types of everyday courage. Moral courage: Act on your values. You can’t protect what you haven’t named. Identify your core values, define what they look like in practice, and communicate them clearly. Prepare […]
257257Communicate Like an Executive
As you step into senior leadership, your communication style must evolve. What used to feel like transparency—casual updates, unfiltered thoughts, or constant idea sharing—can now create confusion, anxiety, or misalignment. At this level, your words carry greater weight, and your silence does too. Recognize that less is often more. Offhand comments can shift strategy or […]
257257Sharpen Your Intuition with 5 Practical Habits
When the data runs out—or becomes overwhelming—your next move often depends on something harder to quantify: intuition. It’s not guesswork. It’s a skill built from experience, reflection, and pattern recognition. If you want to trust your gut more confidently as a leader, you need to train it. Start with the “calm test.” Before acting on […]
257257Design a Leadership Offsite That Actually Drives Change
If your team feels disconnected, a well-designed offsite can realign and reenergize them—but only if you go beyond logistics. Ask yourself these five questions to inform your planning and make the time count. How do I want my team to feel? Design the day with emotional outcomes in mind. Whether it’s feeling valued, connected, or […]
257257Beware These Red Flags in Your Network
As your visibility grows, so do the networking requests. Some are reasonable; others cross the line. While a strong network is built on mutual support, it shouldn’t leave you feeling depleted. Watch out for these red flags of needy networkers to protect your energy. There’s always an ask. Look out for people who only reach […]
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