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 navigate those tricky moments with clarity and compassion.
This page is your starting point. Whether you’re managing people for the first time or recalibrating after burnout, I’ve collected a few key entry points to help you sort out what you need right now.
1. “I’m afraid of being too direct.”
→ You want to be kind, but something has to change.
✨ “As much as I try to get the messaging to come out as a supportive message, I’m kind of hearing that it can come across like ‘you need to take care of this now.’”
✨ “I want to be able to share ideas they can receive as gifts, not criticism.”
Start here:
2. “I’m trying to advocate without sounding confrontational.”
→ You know you need to be assertive, but you don’t want to trigger defensiveness.
✨ “It comes across like I am trying to argue when it’s just simply advocating.”
✨ “I want her to feel like she’s supported, but I also want her to have autonomy.”
Start here:
- Radical Candor: A Guide for Building Stronger Relationships
- An Essential Checklist for Effective Crucial Conversations
3. “I need to support someone struggling—without lowering the bar.”
→ You want to offer support—but still expect results.
✨ “We spend all of our recognition only on seeing the gap narrow… instead of recognizing how far they’ve come…”
✨ “I want to influence him without making him feel bad—honoring him while encouraging small steps.”
Start here:
Not quite what you’re looking for?
Here are a few more popular posts that might meet you where you are:
🌟 Self-Promotion Can Be Both Accountable and Empathetic
🎯 An Essential Checklist for Managing Up
🧠 The Self-Aware Leader: Mastering Empathy & Accountability
🔧 Empathetic Accountability Done Right Prevents Leader Burnout
💬 How to Navigate Difficult Conversations with HR Without Losing Your Voice
🔄 An Essential Checklist for Leading Change
⚖️ It’s Time to Reboot the PIP
Tip: Bookmark this page. New guides and checklists are added regularly—and you’ll always have a place to return when the next leadership challenge arrives.
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I’m in your corner.
—Amy Kay
