In any negotiation or team setting, establishing ground rules is common practice — and for good reason. When union and management sit down to bargain, for example, they start by agreeing on the basics: no cell phones, no foul language, no name-calling. This step is...

“Transparency” is a buzzword in today’s leadership vocabulary, and for good reason. People want to feel informed, involved, and respected in their organizations. But transparency is often more complex than it sounds.  One of the nonprofits I work with recently faced...

When an organization hits a major financial or operational challenge, there’s often a ripple effect that impacts everyone involved. Recently, I worked with a nonprofit that experienced just such a challenge — a startling budget deficit — leaving its leadership...

As human beings, we’re incredible designers. Heck, we designed our way to the moon. And when Apollo 13 failed, we designed a safe passage home. We design our homes, meticulously planning every detail before we begin a remodel. We wouldn’t just tear apart the kitchen...

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when I mention vulnerability?  We often think of vulnerability as a weakness, but in reality, it’s one of the most powerful tools for building authentic relationships. Whether we’re talking to a parent, partner, or co-worker,...

Lately, I’ve been sharing quite a bit about navigating interpersonal relationships by fostering empathy, collaboration, and personal growth. Our communication patterns — whether through questioning, generational differences, leading like we mean it, or offering...

In my last post, I shared how learning to ask questions that are rooted in curiosity — and encourage dialogue instead of defensiveness — can change the entire dynamic of our relationships. These sorts of questions also foster empathy and understanding. Defensiveness...

When was the last time you asked someone, “Why did you do that?” Did you get the response you wanted? Probably not. That’s because the simple act of asking “why” triggers a primal reaction: defensiveness.  Whether we mean to or not, questions that begin with “why”...

In the traditional sense, leadership is often tied to titles and positions of power, but true leadership is a behavior. Whether you're in middle management, a dispatcher, or even navigating tricky relationships with family, the influence you wield is not limited to...

In a recent conversation with a team I coach, we delved into the nuances of unintentional behavior, a topic I talked about a few weeks ago. But during this latest conversation, I was struck by a critical aspect we often overlook — the flip side of the coin. One one...