Leadership isn’t just about decisions — it’s about awareness. Often, the way we react in the moment shapes more than the outcome of a meeting; it shapes trust, team dynamics, and long-term engagement. I’ve noticed in my coaching that many leaders operate from a place...

At the beginning of this year, I bought a small, trailerable Com-Pac 16 sailboat. Cheap. Turns out there’s a reason for that — and it’s not that I’m a good negotiator or hunter of fabulous deals. It turns out it was in need of far more work than I expected — work...

I know — I mentioned the word “politics,” so I will have a rash of unsubscribes. And I get it; we’ve been told not to talk politics at work. And sure, in many — heck, most — cases, that advice can help avoid unnecessary conflict. But what happens when political...

Psychological safety has become a buzzword lately, but I think we often miss the nuance of how it actually works. In my recent post, From Pensions to Psychological Safety: Rethinking Retention in Today’s Workplace, I talked about safety as a cornerstone of retention...

Over the last few weeks, we’ve talked about understanding others, stepping back from over-fixing, and separating identity from mistakes. Sometimes, though, the challenges a leader faces go deeper than coaching can reach. Leadership behaviors are often tied up with...

In my last post, we explored the dangers of taking on responsibility that belongs to others. Today, I’d like to go a step further: how do we relate to our own mistakes and internal narratives? How do we prevent the very mindset that drives leaders to over-fix from...

In my last post, Understanding Before Fixing: A Leadership Shift, we explored the power of slowing down to truly understand others’ behaviors before rushing to solve a problem. That shift in perspective is foundational, but what happens when we turn that lens inward?...

In the rush to resolve issues, many leaders move too quickly toward fixing a problem before they fully understand it. But clarity comes before resolution. In a recent coaching conversation, I asked a client what his goal was going into a difficult meeting. His answer:...

In my last post, I talked about how retention has shifted. Once upon a time, companies leaned on pensions to keep people around. Today, it’s culture and psychological safety that anchor loyalty. But here’s another layer we don’t talk about enough: sometimes the best...

Once upon a time, loyalty was rewarded with pensions and a gold watch after 40 years of service. That world is gone. Today’s workers aren’t just chasing paychecks; they’re seeking purpose, autonomy, and flexibility in their lives. The challenge for leaders is this:...