Management

If you and your team are too busy, it’s essential to take time to figure out how to work differently. Here are three key strategies you can use to reassess and reconfigure the work you do to free up your limited time and capacity. Redefine “good enough.” Not every task requires an A+ effort. Set […]

Strategy fatigue, where employees struggle to understand the company’s purpose and objectives, sets in when you chase too many initiatives at once or constantly shift direction without a clear reason. To keep your focus sharp and your people energized, put guardrails in place to evaluate ideas before pursuing them as strategic priorities. Here’s how. Set […]

Civility can increase employees’ job satisfaction, mental health, and organizational commitment while reducing their emotional exhaustion and intention to quit. But in today’s tense environment, even casual remarks, lighthearted jokes, or well-meaning feedback can trigger frustration or conflict. Staying calm under pressure takes practice. Use these three habits to keep your responses constructive when emotions […]

Listening isn’t just about hearing the words someone’s saying to you—it’s about proving you value their voice. Listening well builds trust, strengthens relationships, and drives better results on your team. But even strong, well-intentioned leaders fall into these five common listening traps. Here’s how to avoid them. Haste. Good listening is a demanding task that […]

When remote work starts to feel repetitive or limiting, don’t wait for positive feedback or a promotion to regain momentum. Take ownership of your motivation with these strategies. Create your own mini performance review. Revisit past reviews to identify strengths, goals you’ve set but haven’t pursued, and feedback you can act on now. Use those […]

Adversarial behavior between senior leaders can escalate into corporate gaslighting—a subtle but damaging effort to create a false narrative around you and erode your credibility. If left unchecked, being undermined in this way can derail your confidence, reputation, and career. Here’s how to recognize it and react accordingly. Focus on the right problem. Ask yourself: […]

Hiring a star employee may feel like an easy win—but it often backfires. In most cases, newly hired stars underperform, disrupt team dynamics, and struggle to adjust to new systems and routines. But there are exceptions, and understanding when to make the move is key. Hire stars into teams that already have stars. Star hires […]

Leading through tension is part of being a manager, but you don’t have to go into emotionally charged meetings unprepared. Here’s how to stay grounded and guide high-stakes conversations with clarity and composure. Visualize the meeting in advance. Picture the setting, the people involved, and how you want to feel walking out. Mentally rehearse how […]

Many mergers and acquisitions ultimately fall short of expectations—not because of strategy, but because leaders neglect the employee experience. To protect deal value, you must support your employees both existing and new. Here’s how. Assess both cultures. Use surveys, interviews, and focus groups to evaluate cultural values, especially around decision-making and risk. Don’t just study […]

Job security is increasingly unpredictable—but your resilience doesn’t have to be. Rather than clinging to a single role, focus on building a career that can evolve as external factors change. Here’s how. Clarify your non-negotiables. Identify what you’re unwilling to compromise on, whether it’s remote flexibility, ethical alignment, or meaningful work. These priorities act as […]

Many companies no longer require candidates to submit cover letters—but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t write one. A well-written, well-structured cover letter could set you apart from the competition. Here’s how to nail it. Open with enthusiasm. Start with a clear, specific statement about why this role excites you. Generic praise won’t stand out, so […]

Your voice doesn’t just deliver the message you’re trying to convey—it shapes how it’s received. If you regularly speak in high-stakes settings, developing vocal presence is essential. Use these five exercises to improve the steadiness and sound of your voice. Start by connecting breath to body. Make a soft hissing sound and notice any tension. […]

Confidence is key at work—but overconfidence can backfire. If you’ve overstated your skills, talked yourself into a role you weren’t quite ready for, or self-promoted too aggressively, keeping up the charade will only make things worse in the long run, undermining trust, causing stress, damaging relationships, and costing you opportunities for growth. Here’s how to […]

Whether you’re interacting with colleagues, clients, friends, family members, or strangers, conversations are the building blocks of relationships. To become a great conversationalist in both work and non-work settings, use the TALK framework: Topic, Asking, Levity, and Kindness. Here’s how. Start by preparing topics. Think ahead about two or three things your conversation partner might […]

To successfully transition from a public to a private sector job, you need to rethink how you present your experience on your resume, as well as who’s in your professional network. Start with these five strategies if you’re making the leap from a government career to a corporate one. Understand the differences in work. Many […]

Coaching is more than just giving instructions—it’s about developing others by adapting your approach to their needs. Here’s how to choose the right coaching style to unlock potential, build confidence, and drive performance across your team. Instructive. This style is directive in nature, focusing on providing clear directions and passing on knowledge based on your […]

A failed negotiation stings, but it presents an opportunity to improve. The best negotiators don’t avoid failure but instead analyze and learn from it. Follow these five steps to turn a setback into a growth opportunity. Acknowledge—and accept—the failure. It’s easy to blame others or ignore what went wrong, but denial prevents growth. Accept the […]

If you struggle to delegate, you’re not alone. But holding onto every task isn’t just overwhelming—it can hold you back. Effective delegation isn’t about offloading work, but empowering your team, boosting efficiency, and freeing up your time for high-impact priorities. Here’s how to get started. Identify your roadblocks. Do you resist delegating due to control […]

When a natural disaster strikes, your focus as a manager should be the well-being of your impacted employees. Offering immediate support can alleviate stress and help them recover both personally and professionally. Here’s where to start. Prioritize safety and well-being. Check in on affected team members. A quick call or message asking if they’re safe […]

If you’re searching for deeper fulfillment beyond your career, volunteering is a powerful way to find it. The impact you make doesn’t have to be grand—starting small can create meaningful change. Here’s how to get started. Don’t let doubt hold you back. It’s easy to feel like one person’s efforts won’t matter, but focusing on […]