Management

Coaching builds your team members’ capacity to analyze problems, consider multiple perspectives, and devise solutions in the moment. It can feel daunting to find the time for coaching, but you don’t need formal, hour-long sessions to effectively coach your employees. Some of the most impactful development moments happen during the regular flow of work—if you […]

If your team struggles to give honest feedback, the problem may not be a lack of courage or skill; often, it’s uncertainty about whether feedback is truly welcome. Even experienced employees will hesitate if they don’t think their input will be well received. The best way to shift the dynamic is to create a culture […]

If you’re ending each day feeling drained, the problem may not be your workload, but how your brain is being used. Most leaders over-rely on the prefrontal cortex, the brain’s planning and decision-making center. But this part fatigues quickly under pressure. To sustain high performance, you need to engage other neural systems—and create conditions for […]

Metaphors can make or break your transformation message. They simplify complexity, create emotional connection, and cut through resistance. But not just any metaphor will do. Use these four questions to choose one that sticks.  Which threat are you calming? Strategic change triggers emotional responses tied to status, certainty, autonomy, relatedness, and fairness. Identify the dominant […]

When your leadership hits a wall, don’t just look outward—look inward. Often, the real blockers of success are unproductive beliefs you’re not even aware of. These hidden mindsets limit your effectiveness, decision-making, and ability to grow. The good news? You can shift them. Start with these seven common blockers and reframe them into more productive […]

AI won’t create value on its own. To unlock its potential, you must lead differently—shifting how you learn, structure teams, make decisions, develop people, and model change. Here’s where to start.  Span organizational boundaries. Fluency with AI develops through networks and exposure. Build relationships across industries, startups, regulators, and technologists. More-experienced users can provide insight […]

Being a reliable leader has its perks, but it can also make you the default pick for every stray assignment. Over time, that “magnet effect” drains your focus and fuels burnout. Here’s how to stop attracting extra work.   Prioritize without overcommitting. When given a new task, don’t default to saying yes. Assess how it fits […]

Yesterday we shared five ways “being yourself” can backfire at work. Here are four more ways authenticity can damage your reputation—and how to take a more strategic approach.   Taking full credit. Even if you led the project, claiming all the credit makes you seem self-important. Highlighting team efforts earns more goodwill and trust.  Using edgy […]

You’ve likely been told to “just be yourself” at work—but that’s not always good advice. What feels authentic to you may harm how others perceive your competence, reliability, or professionalism. Here are five behaviors that feel real but may damage your reputation.   Sharing political beliefs. Saying exactly what you think may feel honest, but it […]

Managing more people with fewer resources can make you feel like you’re constantly putting out fires. The path out of this management overload starts with a shift in how you lead. Here’s how to take control.   Group people together to reduce your load. If you lead more than 10 people, organize them into small, self-sufficient […]

Yesterday we shared strategies for how to use language in disagreements. If you want people to share bold ideas and challenge assumptions, you also need to create the right environment for it. Here’s how.  Train for verbal skill, not just mindset. Instead of instructing people to be open minded or empathetic, show them how to […]

Constructive disagreement can spark creativity, prevent costly errors, and drive better decisions. To keep disagreements from escalating into conflict, you need to use language that shows your counterparts that you’re coming from a place of curiosity and empathy. Here’s how to turn disagreements into better ideas and decisions.  Signal that you want to learn. Start […]

Many companies falter when their early leaders step away—not because their vision was wrong, but because it wasn’t built to endure. If you want your organization to outlast you, your convictions must shape the culture, not just strategy. Here’s how to lead using principles that stick. Ensure every decision reinforces your value proposition. Don’t chase […]

Yesterday we shared five ways board members can orchestrate a successful CEO exit. But what about the person leaving the role? Exiting the CEO role isn’t just a logistical shift—it’s an emotional one. Even when the timing feels right, the final stretch can be emotional, stirring up feelings of lost identity and status. But handled […]

Too many CEO exits are treated like terminations, not transitions. Organizations fall back on boilerplate legal language—don’t poach, don’t disclose, don’t disparage—rather than crafting a deliberate plan for continuity, culture, and leadership. As a board member, here’s how you can reinforce your organization’s identity and continuity during this crucial moment.  Reinforce with incentives. Align exit […]

Generative AI use has surged in workplaces—but it’s not always helpful. When used thoughtlessly, AI tools can produce what researchers call “workslop”: polished, passable output that lacks depth, creating more work for others. As a leader, you need to actively prevent this from clogging your workflows. Here’s how.  Don’t default to AI for everything. If […]

When a CEO is hard to work with, the ripple effects can be quick and damaging. If your CEO is unpredictable, dismissive, or intolerant of dissent—but still delivering on financial results—it can be tough to know how to lead effectively from the middle. Here’s how to protect your team and influence upward. Manage up with […]

As companies find ways for AI to automate routine tasks, entry-level roles are at risk of disappearing. But instead of eliminating these jobs, you can redesign them to develop talent, strengthen culture, and create long-term value for your organization. Here’s how to start. Make tasks about learning, not repetition. Stop assigning juniors the work AI […]

Disruptive innovation doesn’t start with a breakthrough product—it starts with a mindset. Whether you’re designing software or writing cookbooks, certain behaviors can help you challenge the status quo and create real change. Here’s what to practice.  See the world through your customer’s eyes. Focus on what your audience actually needs. Use their language, shop where […]

Yesterday we outlined six ways to identify your core values to improve your decision-making. Now it’s time to test them. Once you’ve identified a few themes from your answers, label each one with a short phrase, such as “show up for others” or “build trusting relationships.” Then ask yourself these four questions to confirm whether […]