Blog
The Family Role You Can’t Escape at Work (And Why That Might Be a Good Thing)
Lee sat across from her boss and felt an oddly familiar feeling. Within ten minutes, her boss had gone from a verbal rampage about an unexpected vendor change to acting as if nothing happened. The team sat silent, waiting for the storm to pass. And that’s when Lee realized: This was exactly like sitting across…
What If the Conflict at Work Is Actually Teaching You Something You Need to Know?
April is Workplace Conflict Awareness Month. This is your invitation to ask: What is this conflict trying to teach me? There’s someone at work who makes your days unbearable. Maybe it’s the colleague who flies off the handle, or the one who withdraws into silence when you need to address a problem, or the person…
What If the Conflict You’re Avoiding Is Costing You Your Best Ideas?
April is Workplace Conflict Awareness Month. This is your invitation to ask: What is my conflict avoidance actually costing me? You’re in a leadership meeting, someone has an idea that challenges the status quo, it’s bold, and maybe even a little outlandish. Your first instinct is to shut it down quickly, and avoid the conflict…
Why Your Team’s Best Ideas Never Surface During Crisis (And the Brain Science That Changes Everything)
The next time you are faced with a looming deadline or project setback, try one of these counterintuitive strategies to enhance team problem-solving.
What Your Hot-Headed Leader Wants You to Understand (But Won’t Tell You)
You’ve tried everything. The “let’s talk about your communication style” conversation. The feedback about “managing emotions in the workplace.” The HR mediation. The leadership coaching. But your high-performing, hot-headed leader keeps exploding. The damage spreads, and good employees start looking for the exits. You’re left wondering: Is this person even capable of change? Let me…
6 Ways Your Family Dynamics Show Up In Meetings (And You Don’t Even Know It)
You’ve worked hard to build your professional life. You’ve earned degrees, climbed the ladder, developed expertise, you show up prepared, polished, and ready to lead. What nobody mentions in leadership training was that your family came with you. Not literally, of course. But the dynamics you learned growing up — how to handle conflict, when…
The Split-Second Realization That Changed How This Leader Handled Conflict
Your boss is ranting about missed deadlines. Your jaw clenches, your palms sweat and there’s a knot in your stomach you remember from childhood. In a flash, you’re 12 years old again, standing in your kitchen while your mom explodes over something you forgot to do. That familiar wave of panic washes over you, the…
Why “You Hurt My Feelings” Doesn’t Work at Work (And What Your Family Taught You About Conflict)
It’s happened again. An abrasive leader has exploded at one of your team members and now the team member is embarrassed, disengaged, and afraid to contribute when the leader is around. You know you need to address it, but when you imagine the conversation, you hear yourself saying things like… “You hurt the team’s feelings…
The Surprising Connection Between Family Dynamics and Leadership Conflict
You’re in another executive team meeting. The CFO is silent, again, even though everyone knows he disagrees with the proposed strategy. The COO is getting increasingly aggressive in her pushback. And you’re managing the tension in the room the same way you always do…crack a joke to ease the tension. Most leaders don’t realize →…
A Holiday Ritual That Changed How My Family Connects
The wrapping paper is about to fly. The kids are buzzing with anticipation. Everyone’s ready to tear into the presents. And I’m about to do the thing that makes my nephews groan… ask three questions. Several years ago, I started a holiday ritual with my extended family. After our Christmas Eve meal and before we…