Blog
What Emotionally Healthy Leaders Have in Common with Great Parents
Emotional intelligence in leadership isn’t just about managing your own emotions, it’s about creating an environment where others feel safe, seen, and valued. As we observe Emotional Intelligence Awareness Month this October, it’s worth reflecting on a powerful parallel: emotional intelligence in leadership mirrors the essential qualities of effective parenting. Think about it. The best…
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How to Lead with Empathy When an Employee Is Difficult to Like
“It’s hard to stay calm when an employee is condescending.”“Some team members are just… harder to like.”“I know I should respond professionally, but the way they speak to me makes it tough not to react.” If you’ve had these thoughts, you’re not alone. Even though you’re a leader and have the responsibility to model professional…
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3 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…
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3 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 MoreThe Tru Leader Podcast – An Interview with Bonnie Artman Fox
Have you ever thought about how your family upbringing and life experiences impact your leadership development? I joined Tracy Christopherson, PhD, MS, BAS, RRT and Michelle Troseth, MSN, RN, FNAP, FAAN on The TRU Leader Podcast to discuss my journey from oncology nursing to family therapy and leadership coaching, and how early family experiences can…
Read MoreHow Interpersonal Skills Improve Interpersonal Relationships
Recently, while camping (actually – glamping) with our grandsons, we had a moment that showed how interpersonal skills improve relationships and how important they are for building good relationships. One of our grandsons was playing with the fire, poking it with a big stick and then swirling the stick with the burning tip in the…
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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 die, as life happens, all…
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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 repeatedly being yelled at in…
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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 the demands of constantly trying…
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How one leader learned to deal with an angry boss
Learning to deal with an angry boss can be challenging, but it’s often influenced by how we handled conflict growing up. For Lee, a senior leader featured in How Did My Family Get In My Office?!, her childhood experiences with an unpredictable and angry father shaped the skills she now uses to navigate workplace challenges with…
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