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5 Ways People-Pleasing Undermines Leadership Credibility
Have you ever considered how people-pleasing undermines leadership credibility? Of course, being considerate, respectful, and approachable are admirable traits in a leader. But what if being “too nice” is promoting artificial harmony on your team? When conflict arises, do you avoid difficult conversations for the sake of keeping the peace? If so, the result can…
Read MoreBlueprint for Managing Abrasive Leaders Effectively
Is Your Top Performer’s Abrasive Behavior Quietly 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…
Read More3 Ways to Say Goodbye to Gossip: Embrace Direct Communication Today!
Is gossip fueling 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 a silent virus,…
Read MoreHow to Remove Yourself from Workplace Drama: Breaking Free from the Victim, Persecutor, and Rescuer Roles
After a recent workshop, 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 as the “Drama Triangle.” In this framework, people often…
Read More3 Ways Baking and Conflict Management Mix to make the Holidays Happy
It’s the time of year for baking—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 rolls, and she shared…
Read MoreFeedback 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…
Read More5 tips to use curiosity to improve interpersonal skills
We have two options when faced with a problem or personnel issue. We can either resolve it and figure out why it’s happening in the first place or ignore it, hoping it will go away on it’s own. The later usually leads to bigger problems down the road. The better way is to use curiosity…
Read MoreThe 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…
Read MoreHelping 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…
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