Blog

5 Ways People-Pleasing Undermines Leadership Credibility

By Bonnie Artman Fox / February 13, 2025
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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…

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Blueprint for Managing Abrasive Leaders Effectively

By Bonnie Artman Fox / February 6, 2025
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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…

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3 Ways to Say Goodbye to Gossip: Embrace Direct Communication Today!

By Bonnie Artman Fox / January 30, 2025
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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,…

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How to Remove Yourself from Workplace Drama: Breaking Free from the Victim, Persecutor, and Rescuer Roles

By Bonnie Artman Fox / January 9, 2025
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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…

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3 Ways Baking and Conflict Management Mix to make the Holidays Happy

By Bonnie Artman Fox / December 12, 2024
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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…

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Feedback Done Right: 3 Tips to Avoid Abrasive Feedback & Create Psychological Safety

By Bonnie Artman Fox / September 19, 2024
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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…

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5 tips to use curiosity to improve interpersonal skills

By Bonnie Artman Fox / August 1, 2024
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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…

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The Impact of Abrasive Behavior on Employee Well-being

By Bonnie Artman Fox / July 18, 2024
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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…

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Helping Teams Through Transitions: 4 Effective Strategies

By Bonnie Artman Fox / April 4, 2024
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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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