Blog
How Self-Aware Leaders Turn Feedback Into Their Greatest Strength
“No one wants to tell me anything. They say I’m intimidating.” I’ve heard this from more leaders than I can count. And when I sit down with their teams, the employees tell me the same thing: “We don’t feel safe bringing up problems. Our ideas get dismissed. The leader gets defensive and condescending.” So I…
Is Your Childhood Conflict Pattern Showing Up in Your Leadership?
You’re in a tense meeting. A project has derailed. Emotions are running high. How do you respond? Do you take control and demand compliance?Avoid the conversation altogether?Smooth things over with excessive reassurance?Crack a joke to lighten the mood? What most leaders don’t realize is, the way you handle conflict today was likely learned by age…
The Uninvited Guests at Your Holiday Table (And How to Handle Them)
You’re sitting at the Thanksgiving table. The turkey is carved. The conversation is flowing. But there’s a heaviness in the air that no one’s naming. Your brother made that comment about your job… again. Your uncle is steering every conversation toward politics. Your mother-in-law’s passive-aggressive remarks are landing with precision. The table is supposed to…
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…
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…
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…
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…
The 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…
How 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…
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…