Blog
What an Airline Captain Taught Me About Building Team Cohesion
Our plane had just arrived late, making our departure likely to be delayed. Several passengers were going to miss their connecting flights. You could feel the tension in the air. Then something unexpected happened. The captain, a woman who clearly knew how to lead, came out to the gate, took the microphone, and calmly described…
Choose Your Mindset Before Addressing Employee Behavior: An Emotional Intelligence Approach
Before having a candid conversation with a difficult employee, choose your mindset to optimize the likelihood of a positive outcome.
How To Build Inner Resources, Resolve, and Resiliency Through Emotional Intelligence
What inner resources, resolve, and resiliency will help you cope with demands, distractions, and disappointments at work? During one of my workshops, I asked managers to share their experiences with the challenges they face in today’s workplace. Their answers revealed the emotional toll of unresolved organizational conflict: “We are expected to do more in less…
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…
Why Acknowledging Your Efforts Matters More Than Their Responses
When was the last time you took the initiative to repair a conflict with a colleague, even when you weren’t sure how they’d respond? October is Emotional Intelligence Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to reflect on the courageous conversations that define effective leadership. At a recent Interpersonal Success Circle session, one of my…
Transform Scars into Leadership Strengths
Are there certain stories you turn to when you need inspiration? One of mine is the story of Princess Eugenie. As a child, she had surgery to correct a curvature of her spine called scoliosis, leaving a long scar down her back. Years later, on her wedding day, she chose a gown with a deep…
7 Ways to Be a Terrible Boss (And Why You Should Do the Opposite)
A fun guide to leadership fails, and how to turn them around. Ever wonder what separates great leaders from the ones employees complain about around the water cooler? Sometimes it’s easier to spot what not to do than to figure out the right approach. So let’s have some fun with it. Here’s a list of…
How Leaders Turn Conflict Into Growth
Leadership isn’t just about strategy, performance metrics, or vision casting. At its core, leadership is about people. And where there are people, conflict is inevitable. Even the strongest leaders find themselves caught off guard: If you’ve ever been there, you’re not alone. These challenges are part of the real-world side of leadership that no business…
How Leaders Can Defuse Gossip Before It Spreads
We’ve all seen it happen. A comment that starts out as a genuine concern about a co-worker quickly turns into whispers, assumptions, and half-truths. Gossip may feel harmless in the moment, but over time it quietly erodes trust and chips away at your team’s culture. As a leader, your role isn’t just to keep projects…
Why Empathy is the Leadership Skill that Motivates Change
Hank was angry. He couldn’t get his employees on board with the new computer system. From his perspective, he did all the “right” things. He provided reasons for the upgrade and training to enhance efficiency, but employee resistance persisted. What you resist, persists The more you push for change without understanding what’s behind it, the…