Blog
What to Do When Replacing a Leader is Costly and When NOT Replacing a Leader is Costly
Managing abrasive leaders can be a daunting challenge, especially when replacing them proves costly, but understanding the underlying dynamics can lead to healthier workplace relationships and better outcomes. Several years ago, I was in the play The Dining Room, a dramatization of several different families as they grow, as people...
Helping Teams Through Transitions: 4 Effective Strategies
Are you in a leadership role where you find yourself helping teams through transitions? Perhaps a new initiative was recently launched and your employees are struggling to adjust. As a result, morale is down and you're concerned about the success of the new initiative. According to William Bridges, author of...
The Art of Gaining Perspective in Leadership and Seeing the Bigger Picture
Many years ago, I read a story written by an unknown author about two men who shared a hospital room. Both men were confined to their beds. Every day, the man whose bed was next to the window described to his roommate what he saw as he looked out the...
The Mindset Shift to Let Go of Negativity in the Workplace
Is it time to let go of negativity in the workplace? Just as I cleared my space by shredding outdated documents, letting go of emotional baggage—resentments, grudges, unresolved conflicts—can free up space for positivity and growth in life and leadership. During a move several years ago, I found boxes of...
Socks, Shoe Laces, and Leadership Fundamentals
With March Madness around the corner, I’m reminded of legendary coach John Wooden, who prioritized foundational leadership skills as the head coach of the UCLA Bruins. Known for his attention to detail, Wooden focused on basic skills that many overlook, like putting on socks properly—a simple but powerful lesson in...
5 Ways to Stay Calm When Addressing Abrasive Behavior
You’re a leader responsible for addressing the abrasive behavior of one of your top performers. In the midst of telling her you’ve received complaints about disrespectful treatment of employees, you remain calm. Your tone conveys that you genuinely care about helping her overcome negative perceptions about her leadership style. Moreover,...
5 Steps to motivating abrasive leaders to change
If you are on the verge of losing valued employees because of a top-performing leader’s abrasive behavior, you'll appreciate the following 5 steps to motivating abrasive leaders to change. Perhaps you’ve heard complaints from employees as they head for the door: TEAM MEMBER A tells you she’s leaving because of...
What is a Fixer? The Costs and Benefits of Taking Charge
Have you ever found yourself stepping into a situation at work or at home, and taking on the task of solving other people’s problems? Perhaps at the expense of your time, energy, and even money, you tend to step in to save the day? Do you ever feel overwhelmed by...
How self-awareness optimizes your leadership and decreases your blind spots
Welcoming difficult feedback from a colleague can be uncomfortable, but it’s a critical step toward personal growth and improving your leadership impact. Self-awareness in leadership fosters personal growth and decreases your blind spots. Despite how uncomfortable it is to hear, were you actually grateful that someone on your team had the...
Does the look on your face create psychological safety with your employees?
Most leaders don't learn how to create psychological safety until it's too late. The skillset necessary to strategize your business plan, create systems, and monitor metrics is not the same skillset necessary to retain employees to run your day-to-day operations. That's why having interpersonal skills that create psychological safety with...