“We’ve never been here before.” This comment is a common one from organizational leaders. The COVID-19 pandemic abruptly ushered in a “new normal.” Circumstances have become unpredictable, and “best practices” have become largely irrelevant. Consequently, organizations have had to reimagine what they do and how they do it — sometimes in a matter of days.… Continue reading Leading Through Uncharted Territory: The Power of Distributed Authority
The other day, a headline in my inbox threw me for a loop: “McKinsey to pay $573 million for role in opioid crisis.” It wasn’t the headline itself that surprised me. The idea that the most prestigious management consulting firm in the world helped its client “turbocharge” sales of an addictive painkiller that claimed over 450,000… Continue reading McKinsey & the Opioid Crisis
2021 is here! I don’t know about you, but I have never felt more ready for a fresh, new year! I am connecting with my family, colleagues, and community to savor this time of reflection and possibilities–to do the satisfying work of imagining who we are going to be this year. And, I would be remiss… Continue reading Prepare to Lead in 2021
The numerous physical and emotional benefits of gratitude are well-documented. In particular, researchers like Robert Emmons and Martin Seligman have demonstrated the link between gratitude and happiness. That link makes intuitive sense. As the saying goes, “you are what you pay attention to.“ If you’re focused on and grateful for the blessings in your life,… Continue reading Creating a Culture of Gratitude for Your Stakeholders
How to Get Out of the Office Without Things Falling Apart Everyone “needs” a vacation. We say it all the time. And, just saying the word may evoke images of beaches, mountains, or narrow cobblestone streets. All of the things we work for, right? Don’t we “work to live”? Isn’t it obvious that taking care… Continue reading Take Your Vacation–Things Will Be Fine!
How to Overcome Breakdowns Without the Drama “I’m looking forward to partnering on what our contract will look like for next year,” you say. “But before we go any further, I just need to know…do you love those Godiva chocolates as much as I do?” “Sorry?” the client replies. “What do you mean?” “Oh,” you say,… Continue reading The Chocolates That Never Were
The notorious performance review has become a modern-day torture tactic somehow accepted into the canon of corporate best-practices. Year after year, millions of employees file into their annual review with an enthusiasm befitting a dental cleaning. Here’s how you measured up. Here’s where you did well, and here’s where you fell short. Now get back out… Continue reading How to Do Performance Reviews Better
The other day, I was in a meeting with my colleagues. It was our Monday all-staff call that I really look forward to each week. But on this day, I noticed I was a little distracted and anxious. At first, I wasn’t sure what was going on with me. Then, toward the end of the… Continue reading HOW TO ELEVATE YOUR MEETINGS AND ACCOMPLISH WHAT MATTERS
Your shirt is drenched. Beads of sweat trickle down your face. You just took your pet labradoodle for a walk around the block. But with the summer heat climbing into the 90s, you may as well have gone for a stroll on the sun. The moment you cross the threshold of your home, though, you’re… Continue reading THE HIDDEN COSTS ARE KILLING YOU
Oh no, I thought. This is no good. He’s upset. He’s really upset..and openly challenging my boss in front of 90 people! This is going to undermine the whole program—and we’ve barely gotten started! There I was. My first month on the job. My first time observing our leadership development work in-person. (Remember when we used to do things in-person?) The goal… Continue reading MY BOSS IS DRIVING US OFF A CLIFF!
