Blog

7 Ways to Be a Terrible Boss (And Why You Should Do the Opposite)

By Bonnie Artman Fox / September 4, 2025
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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…

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How to Deal with Employee Resistance to Change

By Bonnie Artman Fox / August 7, 2025
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The company faced a new rollout. Employees learned a new computer system and it changed the daily workflow. The manager got frustrated with employees who complained about the changes and didn’t appreciate how the system boosted the company’s efficiency and long-term competitive advantage. When your employees resist change, it has a negative impact on work…

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How to Shift from Reacting to Responding in High-Stakes Moments

By Bonnie Artman Fox / July 31, 2025
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You’re the leader. You’re expected to model professionalism, stay level-headed, and bring out the best in your team, even in high-stakes moments. If we’re being honest…some moments test your leadership more than others. Whether it’s sarcasm in a meeting, passive-aggressive behavior, or outright defiance, it’s natural to feel the impulse to snap back. And yet,…

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3 Subtle Ways You May Be Undermining Your Work Culture

By Bonnie Artman Fox / May 29, 2025
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It doesn’t always take a major disruption to damage work culture. Sometimes, all it takes is letting things slide, over and over again. In my time as a family therapist and now as a workplace conflict expert, I’ve seen it too often: issues are ignored in the name of empathy or avoidance, and by the…

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Leadership Isn’t About Comfort – It’s About Courage

By Bonnie Artman Fox / May 22, 2025
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In every workplace, there are moments that test your leadership. Moments where the right decision is clear, but uncomfortable. Leadership isn’t about comfort – it’s about courage. When faced with an employee who mistreats others, a high-performer who crosses boundaries, or a peer whose conduct is damaging trust…what do you do? Do you step in?…

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3 ways to Shift Team Culture from Blame to Responsibility

By Bonnie Artman Fox / March 27, 2025
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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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Blueprint for Managing Abrasive Leaders Effectively

By Bonnie Artman Fox / February 6, 2025
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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…

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3 Motivators to Turn Around Abrasive Behavior and Improve Your Leadership Credibility

By Bonnie Artman Fox / October 17, 2024
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To effectively turn around abrasive behavior, leaders must develop self-awareness and be open to feedback. In this post, you’ll discover how one COO recognized her abrasive leadership style, took action to change, and replaced harsh tactics with respect and interpersonal skills, ultimately transforming her leadership credibility. It was a comment I never thought I’d hear,…

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Setting Boundaries with an Abrasive Boss: A Story of Courage and Change

By Bonnie Artman Fox / October 1, 2024
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Setting boundaries with an abrasive boss is essential for maintaining your self-worth, as illustrated by the story of Anna, a client who bravely navigated the challenges of an unpredictable work environment. Anna worked with a leader whose behavior became increasingly unpredictable and abrasive.  One day, everything seemed fine; the next, Anna was walking on eggshells,…

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5 key considerations when setting boundaries and addressing abrasive behavior

By Bonnie Artman Fox / August 15, 2024
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Addressing abrasive behavior in the workplace is crucial for fostering a respectful, productive environment. Tell me, have you ever overheard a conversation like this at work? “I wouldn’t go in there if I were you.” — “What do you mean?” “He’s in one of those moods.” — “The wrath of Jim mood?” “Yes.” — “Thanks…

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