Posts by Bonnie Artman Fox
3 Subtle Ways You May Be Undermining Your Work Culture
It doesn’t always take a major disruption to damage work culture. Sometimes, all it takes is letting things slide, over and over again. In my time as a family therapist and now as a workplace conflict expert, I’ve seen it too often: issues are ignored in the name of empathy or avoidance, and by the…
Read MoreLeadership Isn’t About Comfort – It’s About Courage
In every workplace, there are moments that test your leadership. Moments where the right decision is clear, but uncomfortable. Leadership isn’t about comfort – it’s about courage. When faced with an employee who mistreats others, a high-performer who crosses boundaries, or a peer whose conduct is damaging trust…what do you do? Do you step in?…
Read MoreWhen the Storm Passes, What’s Left Behind?
What Leaders Can Learn from Unresolved Conflict and Fallen Trees Recently, a powerful storm swept through Pittsburgh, PA. Roads were blocked, power lines were down, and shingles were torn off rooftops. The next morning, while walking through my neighborhood, I couldn’t help but notice the stillness, not just in the weather, but in the impact…
Read MoreAvoid power struggles with your employees like you would with a teenager
What can leaders learn from parenting a defiant teenager? How to avoid power struggles with your employees. Ever been caught in a power struggle, whether at home or in the workplace? I recently witnessed a moment between a parent and their teenager that was a masterclass in emotional regulation. The teen was refusing to get…
Read More3 ways to Shift Team Culture from Blame to Responsibility
How do you shift team culture from blame to responsibility when you notice a team member struggling to take ownership of their actions? Maybe when a project doesn’t go as planned, you hear a range of reactions, blame, excuses, minimizing, or deflecting, that ultimately stall progress and block accountability. As Dr. Henry Cloud wisely put…
Read MoreHow Do You Stay Level-Headed When Demands Exceed Your Inner Resources?
How do you stay level-headed when leadership often comes with high-pressure situations, difficult conversations, tough decisions, and unexpected challenges? Some leaders seem to navigate these moments with ease, staying calm even when tensions are high. But the reality is that level-headed leadership isn’t a natural trait, it’s a learned skill. The ability to remain composed…
Read MoreFinding Common Ground: The Journey of Difficult Conversations
The Journey of difficult conversations is a reality for every leader, manager, and professional. They can feel like climbing a steep mountain, challenging, uncomfortable, and sometimes overwhelming. These are the conversations that make your stomach churn, your palms sweaty, and your heart race. And yet, avoiding them doesn’t make the issue disappear. Lately, I’ve been…
Read More3 Tips to Turn Humor into Healthy Conflict and Bring Your Team Together
Are you the one on your team who brings comic relief to difficult conversations in an attempt to bring your team together? When things get tense, do you crack a joke to lighten the mood? While humor can break the tension and provide a temporary laugh, it can also prevent teams from addressing real issues.…
Read More3 Scripts to Set Boundaries & Elevate Your Leadership Credibility
I have three scripts to support you if you’re a leader looking to elevate your leadership credibility. Dear {Name}, “I’m a people pleaser. Growing up I was the one in my family who tried to make everyone happy when my parents argued. I wanted everyone to get along. I know this is affecting how I…
Read More5 Ways People-Pleasing Undermines Leadership Credibility
Have you ever considered how people-pleasing undermines leadership credibility? Of course, being considerate, respectful, and approachable are admirable traits in a leader. But what if being “too nice” is promoting artificial harmony on your team? When conflict arises, do you avoid difficult conversations for the sake of keeping the peace? If so, the result can…
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