In all my years in HR, I’ve seen promotions used for the wrong reasons: to keep someone from leaving or reward long tenure that “felt right" or to make a team look stronger on paper (and the leader more successful) even when the person promoted wasn’t ready. None of this helps the employee and it certainly does not help the #team. Now, don't get me wrong - I wholeheartedly believe in development. It is one of the strongest motivators we have. It sits together with sense of pu

Gossip exists because humans need social information. Evolutionary psychologists describe gossip as a bonding mechanism, a norm setting tool, and a way for people to understand “who is safe” in a group. In the workplace, the instinct stays the same but dynamics are more complicated. When people do not understand what is happening around them, they fill the gaps with stories. The conditions that fuel gossip inside teams Research from MIT Sloan and Gallup points to the same pat

Everyone talks about “investing in people.” But when it comes to actual learning and development, too many leaders tick a box and move on. Maybe you have a learning budget or maybe your #team even attended a workshop last year. That's a great start but not a real investment. Especially not when McKinsey’s research shows that demand for advanced #tech #skills could rise by almost 90% by 2030. And it’s not just technical know-how but social, emotional, and critical thinking ski

As I head off for a summer break, I'm taking a moment to reflect on a year in leadership that has been as rewarding as it has been challenging. It’s been a year of guiding teams, offering solutions, and being the steady presence everyone can count on. But in moments of quiet honesty, I'll admit there were times when my energy was completely gone. It's tempting to see this as a failure but, in reality, I was just feeling the emotional toll of constantly wearing the "leader mas

Ah, summer. For many, it's a time for sandy toes, slightly more relaxed schedules, and... quiet reflection on their #career path. While...

Let’s talk about that unsettling feeling when you notice a team member who used to be a firecracker is now just… fizzling . They’re here,...

We all say we want high performers on our teams. But what is high performance? Is it about hitting targets? Working long hours? Being...

Have you ever been hiking with a group? If so, you probably know that one of the first rules of hiking is to only bring what you can...

A manager wears many hats - coach, mentor, expert - but one thing they aren’t is a mind reader. Even the best leaders can’t support you...

According to a Predictive Index survey, 70% of middle managers would prefer to return to individual contributor roles if they could...

Emotional regulation is the ability to manage one’s emotions effectively - modulating their intensity, duration, and expression in a way...

If there’s one lesson 2024 taught me—painfully, but powerfully—it’s the importance of forcing myself to look for the positives, even when...

As the year winds down, it’s time for my annual tradition: a cup of tea, some festive jazz music and a reflection on what helped me grow...

The 2024 Olympics were packed with both glorious and entertaining performances but Cole Hocker's magnificent win really stood out for me...

If you're scrolling through your LI feed while sunbathing at a beach somewhere, then this is for you.  And, while your team may be taking...

According to DDI's Global Leadership Forecast, only23% of leaders rate their leadership development as high quality while 77% of...

You're probably feeling quite lost, confused, frustrated and stressed out by the whole situation. But, what did happen exactly? Career...