Management

As a leader, you need visibility into your team’s work—what’s on track, what’s falling behind, and where support is needed. But too much oversight can breed distrust, especially among experienced team members. The key is to build a system that keeps you informed without getting in the way. Use a visibility grid. Map your team’s […]

Yesterday we listed five research-backed strategies that can lead to a happier life—even for busy professionals. Here are five more:  Act nicely. Agreeableness is consistently found to be highly and positively correlated with happiness, and it can be increased relatively easily.  Be generous. Behaving altruistically toward others rewards the brain with happiness-enhancing boosts of dopamine, […]

Want to live a happier life? Research points to 10 effective, practical strategies that can make all the difference, even for busy professionals. Here are the first five strategies—tune in tomorrow for the rest.   Invest in family and friends. The research is clear that though our natural impulse may be to buy stuff, we should […]

According to user data from Reclaim.ai, a calendar-app company, the average full-time white-collar professional in the U.S. spends 17.8 hours a week in meetings. If you want to be happier at work (or want your employees to be happier), you should fight against the scourge of time-consuming, unproductive meetings at every opportunity. Here are some […]

If you’re considering a job or career change, it’s normal to feel paralyzed by fear of the unknown. But research points to a few practical strategies that can help assuage your anxiety—while keeping you away from unrealistic wishes and rash decisions.   Manage your expectations. A job change might temporarily increase your satisfaction, but that can […]

For the sake of your happiness and productivity, it’s tempting to try to squeeze every second of distraction and leisure out of your days. But a better approach is to manage your time in accordance with your priorities by distinguishing between the activities you actually like and those you don’t—and then ridding yourself of the […]

Being promoted after a leader fails is a unique leadership challenge. You’re inheriting instability, not just a new title. If you’ve just stepped into such a role, here’s how to steady the ship and succeed where your predecessor didn’t.  Expect the unexpected. The underlying situation may be worse than you think. Broken systems, frayed trust, […]

More professionals than ever are leaving traditional jobs to work independently—and finding greater happiness, flexibility, and control. But knowing when to make the leap is tricky. Before quitting your day job, ask yourself these five questions.  Is your side hustle’s income sustainable—and growing? Your side hustle doesn’t need to match your salary today, but it […]

Strong leadership isn’t just about your presence; it’s about how you speak. To convey power, use these five techniques to elevate your communication, establish your authority, and command respect. Focus on action. When explaining decisions, choose language that drives forward momentum. Instead of listing options, state your choice and outline next steps. Clear direction signals […]

When a senior leader leaves suddenly, companies often scramble to replace them—despite having a “succession plan.” Why? Because most planning is reactive, unclear, and overly broad. To ensure real readiness for leadership transitions, shift your approach with these four key pivots.  Move from replacement planning to future proofing. Don’t just identify backups for existing roles—define […]

If you’re constantly fielding employees’ problems—and feeling buried by to-dos as a result—you’re not alone. When leaders take on too much in the name of being supportive, it can create team dependence and lead to burnout. The solution isn’t being less caring; it’s being more like a coach. Ask your team members these five questions […]

Losing trust with your manager—whether through a careless comment, misstep, or emotional outburst—can damage your reputation and working relationship. But it doesn’t have to define your career. What matters most is how you respond and rebuild. Here’s how to take responsibility and move forward. Start with reflection, not reaction. Don’t rush to apologize. Pause and […]

Leadership is emotionally taxing. Whether you’re delivering tough news, navigating team changes, or absorbing others’ stress, the emotional labor quietly adds up. Over time, ignoring your own emotions can erode your health, performance, and relationships. To stay resilient, adopt these three recovery practices.  Reflect to build emotional awareness. After a hard moment, pause and ask […]

Giving feedback to your team members early in a new leadership role can feel risky. After all, you haven’t had time to establish credibility. But when done right, it can build trust and momentum. Here’s how to deliver feedback thoughtfully.  Assess the landscape. Before acting, learn the technical, interpersonal, cultural, and political dynamics of your […]

If your team can’t seem to slow down—even during vacations or quiet periods—you may be dealing with more than ambition. You’re likely facing an “entrainment cycle,” where employees become physically and emotionally synced to an unsustainable pace. This isn’t just a personal issue; it’s an organizational one. And if you want long-term performance, you need […]

Team dynamics are rarely stable. A new hire, a departure, a strategy shift—each change reshapes how your team functions. Yet most leaders push forward without resetting, which can lead to misalignment and burnout. If your team’s energy is off, it may be time for a full relaunch. Here’s how. Start with diagnosis. Don’t leap into […]

If you’re a senior leader, your calendar is likely packed with one-on-one meetings. But instead of fostering alignment, an overload of one-on-ones often creates fragmentation, siloed thinking, and trust issues. It’s time to shift how you use your meeting time.   Use one-on-ones for development, not operations. Make these meetings quarterly and dedicate them to career […]

When business challenges mount, your team doesn’t need spin—they need clarity. Here’s how to be transparent, steady, and constructive, even when you don’t have all the answers.  Acknowledge what’s working. As you address uncertainty, point to areas of progress. Use a “yes, and” approach: Yes, things are messy—and we’re doing good work. Be honest about […]

Having prestigious connections can open doors for people—but they can also distort how their merit is judged. Star-linked hires are often held to inflated expectations, shielded from criticism when they fall short, and overlooked when they succeed. This bias can quietly shape how talent decisions are made long after someone joins your team. Here’s how […]

Before big conversations—think performance reviews, negotiations, or strategic debates—most leaders prep facts and arguments. But what’s often missing is mental readiness. Enter the Curiosity Check: a fast, three-step process to help you shift from certainty to openness.  Locate your mindset. Before the interaction, ask yourself: Am I genuinely open to learning something new, or am […]