Many leaders enter their roles with a powerful drive to create positive change. They envision empowering teams, increasing productivity, and driving success. Yet, in their zeal to improve performance, many fall into what I call “the reformer’s trap”—a pattern of using control and judgment to push change, often at the expense of trust and engagement.
Category Archives: blog post
13
Jun
Jun
Summary: When change moves faster than our nervous systems can keep up, leaders need more than resilience—they need co-regulation. This post explores the emotional cycle of change, signs of team fatigue, and eight research-informed tactics for staying steady together through it all. A team gathers for their weekly debrief, coffee cups and notebooks in hand.
25
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
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. What steps can managers take to rebuild trust after conflict? Here’s a 5-step
15
Mar
Mar
🔍 Summary:
Self-aware leaders balance empathy and accountability by noticing their reactions, pausing for perspective, and responding with clarity. This post outlines how to lead with both compassion and firmness—especially when performance is on the line.
15
Mar
Mar
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
07
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
19
Feb
Feb
Compassion is more than just a feeling—it’s an active force that shapes workplace culture, builds trust, and strengthens organizations. Inspired by Awakening Compassion at Work by Monica C. Worline and Jane E. Dutton, this checklist provides actionable steps for fostering a compassionate work environment. Use it to assess and enhance how you respond to suffering,
08
Feb
Feb
Effective leadership requires emotional strength, self-differentiation, and a calm, non-anxious presence. Friedman argues that leaders often fail because they succumb to the anxiety, emotional pressures, and reactive behaviors of those around them. The book advocates for leaders to stay grounded in their principles, resist the contagion of anxiety, and embrace the courage to confront challenges directly. By maintaining emotional resilience and clarity, leaders can inspire confidence, drive meaningful change, and avoid the pitfalls of over-functioning or reactive decision-making.
07
Feb
Feb
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
