Management

Co-leadership can result in creative problem-solving and wise decision-making. But when a leadership position is shared between two people, it can also lead to unhealthy competition. If you’re co-leading a team, department, or organization, how can you set up your partnership for success? Share something of yourself. Build trust by sharing something from your professional […]

Times of uncertainty or tension are ripe for miscommunication. To avoid making things worse, you need to be especially thoughtful about how you communicate with your team. Here are some common mistakes to avoid—and what to do instead. Focusing too much on the future. While you need to direct your team’s attention to the road […]

Should you take company size into consideration when looking for a new job? Here’s what to consider when applying to small, midsize, and large organizations. Working at a small company can give you more opportunities to learn on the job, since headcount is lower and you’ll likely wear multiple hats. For this reason, you may […]

Your boss gives you positive feedback and glowing reviews—but they just won’t promote you. What should you do when your manager’s words and actions don’t line up? How can you actually get the promotion you’ve been waiting for? Start by getting clarity. Schedule a time for a career-focused conversation with your boss. This is an […]

Negotiating effectively means proving that you’re a collaborator, not an adversary. To do that, you need to demonstrate that you’re attuned to your counterpart’s logic, emotions, and perspective. These strategies can help. Use short, simple vocal prompts. For example: “And?” “Really?” “Then?” “Mmm,” “Uh huh,” “Go on,” and “Interesting.” The aim is to nudge the […]

Has your smartphone use become problematic—affecting your family time, social life, or work? Interrupting an unhealthy relationship with your phone starts with developing self-awareness. Here are the red flags to look out for and questions to help you spot them. Loss of control. Do you feel a deep, persistent, and uncontrollable urge to check your […]

Working with a condescending colleague is irritating at best and detrimental to your career at worst. How can you deal with an overconfident coworker who always talks down to you? First, take a moment to (internally) roll your eyes. Try to be lighthearted about it. Remember: Their attitude has more to do with them than […]

Overthinking can take three forms: rumination, overanalyzing, and future tripping. Here’s how to spot and handle each one—before they cause you to spiral, stress, and ultimately burn out. Rumination. This is a mental loop where you dwell on past events, particularly negative or distressing ones. If you tend to fixate on negative feedback, bring up […]

When employees speak out about political and social issues, when and how should you respond as a senior leader? Take a pause with your leadership team and consider five factors before making a public statement. Authority: How much authority, power, or status do we have in the wider organizational system compared to other stakeholders (employees, […]

It’s normal to wrestle with feelings of unmet expectations, missed opportunities, and paths not taken as you reach the midpoint of your career. But arriving at middle age is also a profound opportunity to reflect and blaze a new path. Start by asking yourself these questions. What could I regret in 10 years? Imagine the […]

Big changes at work (layoffs, reorgs, or the departure of an important colleague, for example) can stir up big feelings. How can you stay grounded amid organizational chaos? Give yourself grace. Let yourself feel your feelings. Change can be disorienting, so be gentle with yourself. Build resilience. Take a purposeful pause and allow yourself to […]

You won’t always agree with every decision senior leadership makes. But as a manager, you still have a responsibility to communicate those decisions to your team. Here’s how to prepare for these difficult conversations. Start by regulating your own emotions. You need to bring a measured approach to the conversation with your team. Process your […]

Transitioning from being an individual contributor to a people manager is hard. You’re no longer only responsible for your own work and career; your decisions now have a direct impact on somebody else’s professional life. This can feel like a lot of responsibility—and it is! But there are habits you can build to develop your […]

Are your meetings chronically disengaging—or worse, easily derailed? It may be time to introduce curiosity into the agenda to keep people focused and things on track. First, direct the team’s attention to identifying the problem you’re there to solve. Rather than doing this for them, ask everyone in the room to define the goal of […]

Is your team aligned around what success looks like in the coming year? Early in the year is a prime opportunity to rally your team around a shared vision. Here’s how to lead that conversation. First, ask each team member how they envision team success, either through interviews or a survey. Then group their individual […]

It’s totally normal to ruminate on stressful situations, whether it’s a nagging problem at work or a personal conflict that’s making you anxious. The good news? Improving your ability to stay present can help you set aside stressors that you can’t immediately resolve. Here are some strategies to break the cycle of rumination. First, anchor […]

When you work in a toxic workplace, the signs can be easy to recognize. Yelling and bullying, lots of gossip, and unsustainable workloads are a few common hallmarks. But identifying toxicity in an organization you don’t yet work for can prove to be tricky. Here are three red flags to watch out for when you’re […]

You got a great job offer—but realized it’s not the right fit for you at the moment. Here’s how to navigate the situation gracefully and leave the door open for future opportunities. Act quickly. Swiftly declining the offer—ideally within 24 to 48 hours—is crucial. Delaying your response can unfairly string the potential employer along and […]

When you decide to change careers, you often have to grapple with the expectations of important people around you, such as a partner, who may expect you to maintain the status quo. A two-pronged approach can help you think more creatively about your future and honor your responsibilities without allowing yourself to be exclusively defined […]

Finding out that your manager is bringing in someone else above you, a practice known as “layering,” can lead to feelings of self-doubt. But it’s typically due to changing business needs, not because of poor performance on your part. To manage your complicated feelings—and move forward productively—you can first ask yourself how the situation could […]