The Relationship We Often Neglect

So many of us look outward—seeking validation, striving to contribute, giving endlessly. It’s natural. We want to belong, to make an impact. But in that pursuit, we often neglect the most important relationship: the one with ourselves. I see it all the time—leaders, business owners, and high achievers pushing so hard they become depleted, even […]

READ MORE

“A mistake is not a mistake if we can learn from it.”

We’ve all heard “there’s no such thing as failure, only learning.” But how that lands really depends on the culture you create. If we treat failure punitively, we: Undermine confidence and belonging Demotivate others Create fear Disempower ideas and perspectives Stifle creativity, productivity, and growth It’s a heavy toll to pay. But when we view […]

READ MORE

“Change management is all about loss management.”

When we reality-check the people side of change management, we see a grief process unfold. Change means losing what’s familiar—some embrace it, while others feel threatened or saddened. As leaders, we can either acknowledge and support this emotional journey or ignore it. Uncomfortable with emotion, especially when leading others through it? That’s part of change […]

READ MORE

Gossip Versus Processing: How To Tell The Difference

Did you talk about someone today who wasn’t there to hear what you had to say? Was it constructive, or did it veer off into the gossip terrain, offloading hurt or stress? Themes I’ve noticed of those who are processing with constructive intent: ·       They’re processing to seek clarity or solutions. ·       They’re discussing something with a […]

READ MORE

Why Are We So Afraid of Conflict at Work?

“Conflict is inevitable”, they said during my Conflict Dynamics training at Mediation Training Institute at Eckerd College. I felt a weighted acceptance normalizing conflict as not only unavoidable but essential for trust, creativity, diversity, better decision-making and a call for us to step further into emotional intelligence. Many of us fear conflict. In comes narrative… […]

READ MORE

Emotions at Work: What Are They Telling Us?

Crying at work happens. I’ve been there in my first career, and thankfully, I’ve had peers and leaders who made space for it without shame. Often, the tears came from frustration, stress, or overwhelm. In the past, I’d leave work, embarrassed. Now, I see tears as information that can sometimes lead to new awareness and […]

READ MORE

Timely Feedback: Building Trust vs. Fractures

Avoiding a feedback conversation at work? Tension building? Ask yourself—what’s beneath the hesitation? Many leaders struggle with giving feedback to direct reports, peers, or even their own leaders, often fearing upsetting the other person, conflict, or not knowing how to navigate the conversation. No shame! Fear is real, it’s information, and often rooted in past […]

READ MORE

The Blank Page: Navigating Low Motivation

The blank page stares back. Energy and motivation are wavering. I’m hearing this from some of my leadership clients just days into a new year. They’re perplexed, asking themselves, “Why? There’s so much to do!” What’s at the root of this? For some, it’s lingering burnout, finally noticed after a break, sparking questions about life and career. […]

READ MORE