The Feedback Leaders Never Get (And Why That’s a Problem)
The gist Upward feedback is the honest signal most leaders never hear — not because their teams don't have opinions, but because the cost of speaking up feels higher than the cost of staying quiet. Here's why your team isn't telling you the truth, and how to make it safe enough that they do. My […]
Practicing What You Preach Isn’t as Easy as It Sounds
The gist Leading by example sounds simple until the moment it costs you. Here's how the best leaders stay consistent when the easy choice runs counter to what they preach — and what to do when you catch yourself drifting. I tell my coaching clients the same thing all the time: turn off your phone […]
Managers Make the Difference
Leadership conversations keep circling the same territory: strategy, vision, the bold declaration from the top about where the organization is headed. The data point somewhere else. It’s not the executive suite that determines whether a strategy succeeds. It’s the layer of management closest to the work: the people translating direction into daily decisions, having the […]
Managing “Difficult” Employees? Start Here.
The gist Managing difficult employees rarely starts with the employee. The leaders who handle these situations best ask themselves three questions first — about clarity, consistency, and curiosity — before they ever walk into the conversation. Here's how to start there. Before you label someone as the problem, pause. That label is easy to apply […]
Your Team Needs More Than Accountability. They Need Recognition.
The gist Employee recognition is the half of accountability most managers forget. Teams given accountability alone burn out; teams given recognition alone drift. Here's how to lead with both at the same time. I had a meeting with a client recently, several months into a broader project alongside my coaching work. I opened with a […]
Every Interaction Matters. Are You Showing Up the Way You Think You Are?
The gist Leadership presence isn't about charisma — it's about consistency in every interaction. Most leaders think they show up better than they do. Here's how to close the gap between how you intend to lead and how your team actually experiences you. Leadership challenges don’t come with a manual. The pressure to deliver results […]
Are You Avoiding Real Risk, or Just Discomfort?
The gist Leadership and risk taking get conflated with discomfort, but they're not the same thing. Real risk has consequences worth weighing; discomfort is just a feeling. Here's how to tell which one you're actually avoiding — and what to do about it. I almost switched my cell phone carrier this week. After more than […]
Your Strategy Is Only as Good as the Managers Executing It
The gist Manager performance is the variable most strategic plans ignore. A brilliant strategy with weak managers underperforms a mediocre strategy with strong managers — every time. Here's where execution actually breaks. Everyone talks about strategy. Vision. Transformation. The big picture. The bold plan that’s going to move the organization forward. And yet, the data […]
Why Leaders Lost It, and What to Do Before It Happens Again
The gist Staying calm at work isn't about hiding stress — it's about recognizing the signals before pressure builds. Here are the three patterns that lead even seasoned leaders to lose it, and how to interrupt them. Even coaches have their moments. I lost it recently, and it reminded me exactly how leadership derail actually […]
Spring Is a Natural Reset Point. Are You Using It?
The gist A mid-year leadership reset can be more powerful than any January resolution. Spring offers a natural inflection point to recalibrate priorities, refresh your team's focus, and address what isn't working. Here's how to use it. There’s a moment every year when something shifts. In New York City, I know spring has arrived when […]