Tag Archives: Leadership

Recommitting to Your Professional Growth: A Journey of Transformation

Read Sheila’s story, a testament to the power of self-reflection, targeted skill development, and the courage to embrace change in our professional lives. It’s not about seeking external validation but about investing in ourselves and our careers for long-term satisfaction and growth.

How to Support Your Team and Yourself During Possible Layoffs

A black professional woman looking at her laptop screen and covering her mouth with her hands as if gasping.

Feeling worried about layoffs? Your team probably is too. They’re looking to you for help, and you might need some guidance as well. Here’s what to do. Bottom line, layoffs are tough on everyone. But we do our best when we help each other. Stick together, learn, and who knows, things might turn out better

What to do if you’re afraid you are the bad manager

Woman Standing Against Facing Sun with dawn, dust, evening, lens flare

Melissa is a hard-working leader in her organization who found herself entangled in a vicious cycle of self-criticism. She received feedback about the need to hone her listening skills and adapt her approach to be more audience-focused. Despite her efforts, she grappled with quietening her mind during conversations and presentations. Her thoughts, laden with self-criticism,

How Managers Can Support Employees in Times of Tragedy

Close-up of individuals standing side by side, with a prominent focus on two people holding hands, showcasing unity and support. The background features blurred figures, also holding hands down the line.

As managers, it is important to be aware of the potential impact of tragic events on our employees, especially in the aftermath of recent shootings, natural disasters, or other tragic events. These events can flood our news feeds and can have a significant effect on the mental and emotional well-being of our team members. When

An Introverted Manager’s Roadmap to Recognizing and Celebrating Team Wins

A close-up shot of a white man's hand resting on the shoulder of another white man wearing a dark suit, with a soft focus on the background that hints at a well-lit environment.

I was working with an IT manager for a small nonprofit, and while he cared about the team members reporting to him, he wondered sometimes if they didn’t deserve a manager who could pump them up, Ted Lasso style. Fortunately we were able to find ways he could be his authentic self at work and

Accountability: use the FORD method to get traction

A diverse spread of dishes on a table including a large grilled fish, assorted meats, sliced bread, stir-fried noodles with vegetables, and a vibrant fresh salad in a bowl. Nearby are utensils and a person wearing red is partially visible in the background.

When something goes wrong, it’s easy to look for someone to blame. Accountability doesn’t always have to be reactive (see here for my thoughts on proactively managing accountability). But simply pointing fingers doesn’t solve the problem. The FORD Method helps us dig deeper to find out why things went wrong, and how to make them

How to Have Connected and Clear 1:1s With Team Members

Good managers have regular 1:1 meetings with their team members, but it isn’t always easy to crack the code on how to do these meetings well. They have to be more than just a checkbox on your weekly to-do list, and they can be your ticket to building stronger relationships and understanding your team. Remember

What Radical Candor Really Means

Leadership isn’t just about making the big calls or navigating stormy waters. It’s about being genuine, authentic, and straightforward. Let me tell you what I mean by that. Imagine you’re sitting down with a friend over coffee. You want to share something vital, not to criticize but to help them grow. Now, if you’re really

Surround Yourself With People Who Have This Important but Extraordinary Quality

Abstract illustration of several individuals performing different actions on two juxtaposed platforms. On the left platform, an elder man observes through binoculars while two men joyfully jump and celebrate. On the right platform, a woman energetically dashes with a folder in hand, while another woman stands reading a document. Beneath the platforms, a giant hand seems to offer support or guidance

Alright, let’s break this down like we’re sitting across from each other at a coffee shop, discussing the kind of people you want on your team. Picture this: You’re building your dream team, your personal Avengers, if you will. You’ve got the geniuses, the strategists, and the action takers. But there’s a secret ingredient that’s