In 2022, according to Gallup, only 20% of workers strongly agreed with the statement “I trust the leadership of this organization,” a 4% drop from 2019, and although in 2023 this figure had risen to 23% we still aren’t where we should be. When I first started speaking to audiences in 2010 about trust as … Read more
Executive ego dysfunction often has a seemingly contrary symptom. Although we may feel all-powerful, like complete masters of our domain who are always fully in charge, deep down many of suffer from bouts of imposter syndrome. It’s really two sides of the same coin. Imposter syndrome is often defined as the frequent or persistent feeling … Read more
The story that moved me most in Season II of chef Pati Jinich’s docuseries La Frontera is a conversation she had with a teacher in the Mennonite community; A conservative religious community primarily against the adoption of technology (they don’t use cell phones, TVs, or rubber tires). She listened as the town’s school teacher and … Read more
I’ve always admired the way leaders can identify a solution for linear-style problems so readily, and so confidently. Sure, that may have been based on experience, but what impressed me was the ability to instinctively solve these problems. When I was in junior technical roles, I remember being amazed by how readily leaders could solve … Read more
No one enters a relationship or initiative wanting it to fail. Yet sometimes the fairy-tale ending is out of your control. And when it comes to cofounders, statistics are not on their side. According to 2023 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 25% of new businesses make it beyond 15 years. Financial issues and market changes are the … Read more
You’re leading a team meeting when you notice Bryce, usually one of the most attentive team members, repeatedly glancing at their phone, furrowing their eyebrows, and clearly preoccupied. Later, they reveal that they’re stressed by an issue at home. You know firsthand that they are not alone. Life issues, from caregiving to household hassles, are … Read more
One of the downsides of traditional brainstorming sessions is that they favor extroverts. To participate, you need to interject ideas with lots of energy and enthusiasm. Nothing squashes introverts’ creativity quicker than being drowned out by the louder voices in the room. Traditional brainstorming also sets the stage for one or two people control the … Read more
Effective delegation is a vital skill for managers. However, many leaders and managers surprisingly find it challenging. Why? One common misconception is that delegation is merely about assigning tasks. It runs much deeper than that. Effective delegation is about empowering others and maximizing the potential of your collective team. By assigning decision-making authority and responsibilities … Read more
If you’re reading this article, you’re likely interested in gaining more visibility. Whether you’re looking to bring in more leads, be seen as a thought leader in your field or, well, “influence” people, I am sorry to break it to you, but you may be an influencer. Or perhaps a wannabe influencer. When I started … Read more
When the chairman of Royal Caribbean, whom I asked three times before I got my “yes” for the CEO role at one of our brands, said in an interview, “I wanted to see her fail. I wanted to see how she handled failure,” I realized two things. One was that he had obviously kindly blocked … Read more
