Author Archives: Amy Kay Watson

Self-Promotion Can Be Both Accountable and Empathetic

A thoughtful team member updates a whiteboard, symbolizing leadership through clarity, accountability, and quiet communication.

If you struggle to talk about your accomplishments without feeling uncomfortable, you’re in good company. 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: valuable self-promotion lives at the intersection of empathy and accountability. It’s about making your contributions visible

How to Navigate Difficult Conversations with HR Without Losing Your Voice

Summary: Talking to HR about something that matters can feel risky—especially if you’re worried about being dismissed, misunderstood, or seen as “too emotional.” This guide helps you prepare for those conversations with clarity, strategy, and courage—so you can speak up without losing your voice. HR exists to protect the company, not necessarily you. That doesn’t

Find the right zones for useful coaching goals

To identify the right areas for setting your own useful coaching goals, you need to look inward and use self-assessment to find the intersection of your strengths, passions, and growth edge. This process involves exploring three key “zones”: your Zone of Genius, your “Stretch” Zone, and your core personal values. 1. The “Zone of Genius”

Empathetic Accountability Done Right Prevents Leader Burnout

Graphic representation of a clear, well-maintained pathway with guiding signs, representing structure and support.

Listen as a podcast: Burnout is a word we hear often in leadership circles. It lingers in the background, often spoken in hushed tones or with a resigned sigh. Leaders walk a tightrope, juggling competing demands as they strive to support their teams and meet performance targets while retaining their humanity. With unclear expectations from

Your Personal Guide to Navigating Change with Clarity and Confidence

Change is inevitable, but successfully navigating the emotional and psychological process of transition is what leads to true transformation. Inspired by Transitions: Making Sense of Life’s Changes by William Bridges, this checklist is designed to guide you through the three phases of transition: Ending, The Neutral Zone, and New Beginning. Use it to support yourself