Blog
What Does Your Face Say About Your Leadership? How Nonverbal Communication Creates (or Destroys) Psychological Safety
Most leaders don’t learn how to create psychological safety until it’s too late. The skillset necessary to strategize your business plan, create systems, and monitor metrics is not the same skillset necessary to retain employees. That’s why having interpersonal skills that create psychological safety is so critical. What I know from working with many leaders…
How to Stay Level-Headed When Demands Exceed Your Inner Resources
How do you stay level-headed when leadership often comes with high-pressure situations, difficult conversations, tough decisions, and unexpected challenges? Some leaders seem to navigate these moments with ease, staying calm even when tensions are high, but the reality is that level-headed leadership isn’t a natural trait, it’s a learned skill. The ability to remain composed…
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…
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.
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…
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…