Blog
Blueprint for Managing Abrasive Leaders Effectively
Is Managing Abrasive Leaders Costing You Great Employees? High-performing employees drive results, but when their behavior is abrasive, the cost to morale, engagement, and retention is undeniable. Many leaders hesitate to address the issue, after all, these individuals bring in revenue, lead projects, and deliver results. But at what cost? When employees feel disrespected, they…
3 Ways to Say Goodbye to Gossip: Embrace Direct Communication Today!
Say goodbye to gossip to minimize conflict and divisiveness within your team. Imagine this scenario → During a team meeting, one employee shares a new idea, as two others roll their eyes. They say nothing in the moment, but after the meeting, they criticize and dismiss their colleague’s idea behind their back. Gossip. It’s like…
How to Remove Yourself from Workplace Drama: Breaking Free from the Victim, Persecutor, and Rescuer Roles
After a recent workshop that addressed how to remove yourself from workplace drama, a woman approached me with excitement and gratitude. She shared how our discussion seemed to speak directly to her experience in workplace dynamics. The workshop, based on my book How Did My Family Get In My Office?!, delves into what Karpman described…
3 Ways Baking and Conflict Management Mix to make the Holidays Happy
What do holiday baking and conflict management share in common? First—what’s your favorite holiday cookie? While I’m not much of a baker (or cook), I’ve had the privilege of learning from friends and family who are true artists in the kitchen. My good friend Donna, for example, once taught me how to make homemade crescent…
Feedback Done Right: 3 Tips to Avoid Abrasive Feedback & Create Psychological Safety
To avoid abrasive feedback while maintaining psychological safety, it’s essential to communicate in a way that fosters growth without causing discomfort or offense. Many leaders think they can’t give constructive feedback and maintain psychological safety at the same time. Just last week, during a leadership training, a leader asked me, “How do I give feedback…
The Impact of Abrasive Behavior on Employee Well-being
Addressing the impact of abrasive behavior of top-performing talent often takes a backseat. As an executive leader, the complexity of balancing outstanding results with a harmonious work environment can leave you wondering “Do I prioritize operational excellence over interpersonal harmony?” 4 Facts About Abrasive Behavior Leaders Should Know 1. Decreased Ability to Be Productive “Why…
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…
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 Managing Transitions: Making the Most…
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…
Why self-control is the engine of your success
Do you have a goal you’ve been striving for but haven’t yet reached? Whether it’s finishing a project, addressing team dysfunction, or having a tough conversation, self-control is the engine of your success. It’s the driving force that keeps you focused and persistent, and tools like the If-Then Plan can help you harness that power…