Find what you need to lead with clarity, compassion, and confidence. You care about your team. You care about results. But some days, leadership just feels heavier than it should. Whether you’re holding back because you don’t want to hurt someone—or pushing hard and not getting the response you hoped for—this guide will help you
Author Archives: Amy Kay Watson
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Apr
Apr
If you struggle to talk about your accomplishments without feeling uncomfortable, you’re not alone. For many professionals, self-promotion can feel like boasting, bragging, or stealing attention from others. But there’s a more generous way to think about it: true self-promotion lives at the intersection of empathy and accountability. It’s about making your contributions visible so
17
Apr
Apr
Navigating your relationship with a manager isn’t just a soft skill—it’s a strategic advantage. Managing Up: How to Get What You Need from the People in Charge by Melody Wilding offers a roadmap for working more effectively with people in positions of power, especially when your manager’s style, priorities, or behaviors create friction. This checklist
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Apr
Apr
Listen as a Podcast If you’ve watched The Pitt, you already know: Dr. Robby (played by Noah Wyle) is the heartbeat of the Pitt. In a space defined by chaos, trauma, and split-second decisions, his presence is calm, clear, and profoundly human. He leads a team through the most intense situations imaginable without losing his
25
Mar
Mar
Listen as a Podcast Conflicts happen. Even in high-performing teams, misunderstandings, offenses, or broken trust can interrupt collaboration. As a manager, how you respond in these moments can either divide your team further—or lay the foundation for a stronger, more resilient culture. Here’s a 5-step method to help team members move forward together after harm
24
Mar
Mar
Listen as a podcast (AI Generated; may contain errors) Transitions aren’t just about external change—they’re about the internal psychological process people go through when adapting to that change. Inspired by Managing Transitions by William Bridges, this checklist helps leaders support individuals and teams through each of the three phases of transition: Ending, Neutral Zone, and
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Mar
Mar
🏆 The Leadership Struggle Many leaders feel tension between: 👉 Being empathetic and building trust. 👉 Being authoritative and holding people accountable. 🔑 Truth: The best leaders integrate both. ❗ Why It Matters Two common traps: ⚠ Too much empathy → Avoiding hard conversations, letting performance slip. ⚠ Too much authority → Creating fear, micromanaging,
15
Mar
Mar
HR exists to protect the company, not necessarily you. That doesn’t mean HR is the enemy, but it does mean that navigating conversations with them requires clarity, confidence, and strategy. Whether you’re addressing employee concerns, advocating for fairness, or handling a sensitive issue, here’s how to approach these conversations without losing your voice. 1. Clarify
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Mar
Mar
🌟 Leadership is as much about self-mastery as it is about guiding others. 🌟 When was the last time you felt self-doubt as a leader? If your answer is “recently,” you’re in good company. A 2020 KPMG study revealed that 75% of executive women have experienced imposter syndrome at certain points in their careers✅. I
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Mar
Mar
Why Performance Improvement Plans Need a Rebrand Let’s be honest: “Performance Improvement Plan” has become a dreaded phrase in many organizations. For employees, hearing “You’re going on a PIP” can feel like a death knell—the new “Final Written Warning.” For managers, it can feel like an administrative hurdle imposed by HR to ensure legal coverage
