Management

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 […]

As a leader, you’ll face numerous high-stakes situations. When there’s no clear playbook for how to handle them, your personal core values can guide your most difficult decisions. But to use them effectively, you need to define them first. Start with these six prompts to surface what matters most to you, then look for common […]

When executive indecision stalls progress, your leadership becomes the engine that keeps momentum alive. Instead of waiting for clarity from above, use these strategies to manage up and move your team and organization forward.  Reframe requests. Large, irreversible proposals often trigger hesitation. Instead, position the ideas you propose to executives as low-risk, time-bound experiments. Shifting […]

In today’s workplace, teams are often asked to perform flawlessly while also learning and innovating. But trying to pursue both equally can backfire. Teams achieve more when they commit to one clear purpose. Here’s how to keep them focused. Choose a dominant orientation—then commit to it. If your team’s job is to explore new ideas, […]

In times of uncertainty, your team looks to you not just for strategy, but for reassurance and direction. To move people from fear to confidence, you need to show up with clarity, conviction, and calm. Here’s how. Communicate a clear purpose. Share a reason for being that feels bigger than day-to-day tasks. Frame the work […]

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” […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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.   […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]