Articles for people who lead, work and grow.

Leadership & Management

Know what you own.

Responsibility is the work you carry out. Accountability is owning the result. When people understand the difference, managers can lead and employees can contribute with clarity.

Leadership & Management · Communication & Emotional Intelligence

Empathy, sympathy & compassion

Empathy, sympathy and compassion are related, but they are not the same. Understanding the distinction helps managers lead with both care and accountability.

Leadership & Management

Managing up, down, and across

Most of us manage relationships in more than one direction. Learn how to manage up, down, and across with clarity, responsibility, trust, and sound judgment.

The honest power of a well-placed cuss word

My jar runneth over. I love a good cuss word. But mainly it is because I love words. I might even call myself an amateur logophile. It turns out that people who genuinely love words often love the full spectrum of them, from the elegant to the earthy. Cuss words, when used intentionally rather than habitually, have an undeniable vitality. They carry rhythm, punch, and emotional honesty. They can puncture pretense, express frustration with precision, or even create a kind of poetic emphasis that

World Gratitude Day meets summer’s last light

Today, September 21, 2025, is doubly significant. It is World Gratitude Day, a global invitation to pause and give thanks. It is also the last full day of summer before the equinox tilts us into autumn. The overlap feels auspicious, a moment to harvest memory, joy, and lesson, and carry them forward.

Closed mouths don’t get fed: the power of simply asking

Not long ago, I was reminded of a lesson that many of us know but often forget.Several years ago, I had enrolled in a professional development program. Like so many things in life, it was something I intended to complete, but circumstances changed. Shortly after enrolling, I faced unexpected health challenges that required my full focus. The program was set aside while I navigated far more pressing concerns. Eventually, time passed, life moved on, and that unfinished program sat quietly in the b

Assessments: the best thing since sliced bread

Assessments: The Best Thing Since Sliced BreadNo one asked for sliced bread. But once it arrived, we couldn’t imagine life without it. That’s how I feel about assessments in my coaching practice.Most people don’t realize how much clarity they’re missing until an assessment gives language to what’s been sitting just under the surface. StrengthsFinder. Everything DiSC. VIA Character Strengths. Emotional Intelligence. They don’t put people in boxes — they reveal patterns. And once you see those pat

The search for meaning: why pleasure never satisfies

We live in a world flooded with distractions. Pleasure surrounds us. Entertainment. Food. Social media. Shopping. Busyness. People chase pleasure, hoping it will fill the emptiness inside. But pleasure can never replace meaning. Viktor Frankl said it clearly. When people lack meaning, they seek pleasure. That statement holds more truth than most people want to admit.I see it every day. People feel restless. Unsettled. Tired. Anxious. They work harder. They buy more. They binge-watch. They scroll

Fake productivity: the illusion of getting things done

Fake productivity often involves activities that seem important but don't truly contribute to meaningful goals. Consider meetings that fill hours but need more clear outcomes. Participants might feel they’ve accomplished something, but the real work remains untouched. The focus shifts from achieving objectives to merely being present.

Jung: the journey to authentic leadership

It was a pivotal moment when the CEO of a startup, grappling with a string of disappointing hiring decisions, had a profound realization. Despite his rigorous interviews and impressive resumes, his unconscious biases were steering his choices. He had been favoring candidates who mirrored his personality, inadvertently overlooking the diverse experiences that could enrich his team. This awakening marked a significant turning point in his leadership journey.With a resolute determination to change

Showcase success, stay humble

You’ve just finished a major project that delivered great results. You know the work you’ve done has made a significant impact, but how do you ensure your employer notices without coming across as someone who’s just looking for praise? This is a common situation, and the key is to focus on the tangible outcomes your work has achieved for the company. #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopmentHighlight the Results Clearly: When talking about your work, focus on specific, measurable outcomes. Instead

Leadership

News deserts: undermining leadership and democracy

As a Leadership Mentor, Coach, and Trainer, you might wonder why News Deserts matter to me. The principles of accountability, transparency, and integrity we champion in leadership are the same values a robust and free press uphold. Without a strong fifth estate, leaders lack a crucial mechanism for feedback and accountability, which can lead to unchecked power and misguided decisions. The health of journalism directly impacts the quality of leadership in our communities...and country.

Leadership

Leadership: Lucas’ journey

While often overlapping, leadership and management have distinct focuses. Regardless of their formal titles, leaders inspire, motivate, and guide others toward a shared vision. Dr. Donald Clifton's work emphasizes recognizing and leveraging individual strengths, an essential aspect of effective leadership. Informal leaders influence through personal example, fostering innovation and collaboration.

Leadership · Employee Engagement · Coaching

Becoming productive: from hard work to productivity

While hard work demonstrates commitment and effort, actual productivity maximizes efficiency and optimizes outcomes. This nuanced shift from merely working hard to working smartbright can transform organizational dynamics and improve employee satisfaction and business results.

Coaching · Leadership

Quiet leadership: silence speaks

n any challenging dialogue, the silence between words can be just as telling as the words themselves. Yet, its value should be more recogniz

Leadership · Culture · Employee Engagement

Leadership: how to fix the “hero to zero” culture

In many organizations, new hires are often seen as the silver bullet that solves all problems. However, the honeymoon phase quickly fades, and these once-celebrated new team members are under immense pressure to perform without adequate support. This "hero to zero" dynamic not only dampens morale but also stifles growth and innovation within the company

Leadership · Team Work · Culture

Leadership: credit where credit is due

In a revealing chat, a phrase struck me: "You can't make yourself a star on someone else's back." Wow! This fabulous quote has resulted in introspection and thoughts on a current, relatable workplace issue—where credit is claimed undeservedly, highlighting the fine line between genuine leadership and undue credit-taking.

Productiviy · Employee Engagement · Culture

Balance: the unapologetic joy of work

Finding deep satisfaction in work isn't something to apologize for. It's about loving what you do, where long hours are not a burden but a joy. This perspective values passion-driven work, advocating for a unique balance where professional fulfillment and personal happiness are intertwined, celebrating work as a vital part of life.

Productiviy · Leadership · Culture

Turn failure into fuel: a 5-step guide

Fear of failure is like invisible quicksand, holding us back from taking steps toward our dreams and aspirations. It whispers doubts and con

Leadership · Productiviy · Culture

Job drag: 6 steps to get back your spark

Hitting a rut at work is as common as a flat tire on a long road trip. Here’s the kicker: you’ve got more control over this than you think.

Leadership · Coaching · Employee Engagement

Manager conflict: strategies for workplace harmony

In the nuanced dance of professional relationships, facing a decision by higher-ups that you disagree with is a common, albeit challenging, scenario. It’s a moment where you've voiced your concerns, yet the decision remains, stirring a blend of frustration, disappointment, or outright disagreement within you. Moving past this while maintaining your professional standing and inner peace is nuanced, requiring a delicate balance of understanding, strategy, and personal resilience.The first step is

Assessments · Productiviy · Coaching

EQ-i: if you’re happy and you know it

The 2024 World Happiness Report has been unveiled, revealing Finland once again as the globe's happiest country, a finding that echoes last year’s report. This comprehensive analysis, a collaborative effort by Gallup, Oxford University, and the United Nations, provides fascinating insights into the global state of happiness. As someone deeply intrigued by the pursuit of understanding what makes us happy, the report’s findings reinforce my belief in the power of emotional intelligence (EI) as a c

Leadership · Coaching · Mentorship

International Women’s Day: Florence Scovel Shinn

International Women's Day has always been a struggle for me. Recognizing the complexity of women's rights, the generations of struggle, and the awkward conversations of today, I decided to forgo the usual celebrations. Instead, I am reaching into the past to reflect on the life of an incredibly influential woman, yet many of us do not know—Florence Scovel Shinn.Florence Scovel ShinnFlorence Scovel Shinn was born in 1871 and died in 1940. During those years, her pioneering work in the realm of s

Leadership · Coaching · Mentorship

Happiness: simple steps to happiness, seriously

Discover simple steps to happiness and emotional well-being. Learn to manage emotions, build meaningful connections, and make mindful decisions.

Leadership · Coaching · Emotional Intelligence

Talkaholism: finding the balance

Struggling with talkaholism? Talking too much? Lessons on how to manage the chatter. Find the balance between oversharing and under-communicating.

Coaching · Mentorship · Emotional Intelligence

The stark impact of sleep deprivation on mind and productivity

With competing priorities, sleep often takes a backseat on our list of priorities. Yet, the consequences of neglecting a good night's sleep extend far beyond mere physical fatigue. Sleep deprivation drastically alters our personalities and hampers productivity, casting a long shadow over both personal and professional lives.

Leadership · Emotional Intelligence · Coaching

Forget work-life balance: go for “balance”

I struggle with the term "work-life balance". he truth, as many of us intuitively understand, is that balance in life transcends the work-life dichotomy. It is about achieving harmony in all facets of our existence. In essence, when we talk about balance, we are seeking a state of equilibrium where no single aspect of our lives overwhelms the others, leading to a fulfilling and contented existence.

Leadership · Productiviy · Employee Engagement

The blame game: from “they” to “we”

Discover the antidote to a blame culture in our latest blog post. Fostering an environment of collective accountability and collaboration is key...shifting from "they" to a"we" mindset.

Coaching · Culture · Leadership

Leadership: nobody rises to low expectations

"Ever heard someone say 'You expect too much from me'? It's more than just a cry of overwhelm; it's a step towards growth and excellence. High expectations push us out of our comfort zones, leading to skill enhancement, resilience, and uncovering our true potential. Yes, they're challenging, but with the right balance of support and realism, they drive us to achieve what we once thought impossible. Let's embrace high expectations as a powerful tool for personal and professional growth.

Coaching · Emotional Intelligence · Culture

Quick on the draw: reactive leadership

Discover the 4 steps to overcome reactivity and become a more thoughtful and empathetic leader. Learn from personal experience and transform your leadership style.

Leadership · Culture · Coaching

Reactivity is killing my business: 3 strategies to thrive

Reactive leadership is often a well-intentioned response to urgent problems. Leaders jump in to fix issues to maintain workflow and productivity. However, this approach can hinder the development of managerial skills, create dependency, and lead to burnout for both the leader and their team. Leaders inadvertently prevent their managers from learning critical problem-solving skills by constantly providing solutions.

Coaching · Culture · Emotional Intelligence

Intuition versus instinct: mastering the art for business success

ntuition is often a quiet, persistent feeling that brings clarity and calmness. Unlike the urgent push of emotions or instincts, it's a gentle nudge, offering insight without a logical trail. For instance, imagine deciding whether to take a new job.

Leadership · Emotional Intelligence · Coaching

Loneliness kills: 7 ideas to thrive

Loneliness isn’t just a feeling; it’s a condition that can have serious implications for our health and longevity. Research indicates that loneliness can be as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, highlighting its potency as a silent killer. As we age, experience death, and/or witness family members moving away, the challenge of combatting loneliness becomes increasingly significant. But it’s not just a problem for older people; loneliness can affect anyone at any stage.

Leadership · Productiviy · Coaching

Running your business like a beehive: embracing agile structures

Discover the buzz around 'Running Your Business Like a Beehive'. Learn how embracing agile structures can lead to a more resilient and communicative business.

Developing self-confidence in achieving goals

Unlocking Self-Confidence in Developing Goals: Embrace the power of self-efficacy, learn from mistakes, and overcome societal pressures for a fulfilling 2024.

The best way to set goals: embracing the power of a single word

A single powerful word can act as a lighthouse, guiding us through the year's storms and calm seas. It's about setting an energetic tone, a beacon that illuminates our path in every decision.

Productiviy · Coaching · Culture

From “being busy” to being productive

Like many others, I often talk about my “busyness”. When the words leave my mouth, I cringe. I ought to know better. But, sadly, busy habits often fill my days. The key word is “habits”. These habits, bad habits, often create artificial urgency.Artificial urgency is a pervasive challenge that can leave individuals and teams feeling perpetually rushed, leading to a cycle of unproductive busyness. This environment not only hampers team performance but also has profound implications on individ

Trust: the heart of thriving teams

As much as we talk about targets, deadlines, and ROI, we must never forget that businesses are built on people. Real, living, breathing humans who bring their unique perspectives, emotions, and experiences to the table every single day. And humans, as we all know, thrive on connection.

Unlocking your potential: beyond the shadows of doubt

In business and leadership, many overlook a profound truth: The pinnacle of your potential, the very best version of yourself, is often concealed just beyond the veil of your doubts. It is a tantalizing promise, waiting patiently for you to grasp it. Nevertheless, the journey to reach it is paved with challenges, introspection, and growth. Believe, strive, and achieve are words and a mantra for transformative success.At some point, every executive, every leader, every individual grapples with se

Embracing life’s canvas: a symphony of courage, kindness, and passion

By Madelyn HamiltonEvery sunrise presents us with a blank canvas, an untouched expanse of possibilities waiting to be explored. It's an invitation, a beckoning call to pick up our brushes and paint the story we wish to tell. But what colors do we choose? What strokes do we employ? The answer, my dear readers, lies in the heart of courage, the touch of kindness, and the fire of relentless passion. #madelynhamiltonImagine waking up each morning with the realization that today, right now, is your m

Scorpion vs. frog: the case for emotional intelligence

Findlay felt a sharp sting in his back, and out of the corner of his eye saw the scorpion remove the stinger. A deadening numbness began to

Growth through adversity

Alone in his misery, Larry continued to moan – the pain of living was becoming too much. But, the fear of doing what he needed to be done w

Get “happy”

With subjects ranging from an Indian rickshaw driver to a family of crab-fishing Cajuns in the Louisiana bayou to an aging Brazilian surfer,

What stops you?

His mother said, “Freddie, it hurts because you brushed it. Next time grasp it boldly and it will be soft as silk and not hurt you.” The mor

Video etiquette: your presence

The list of YouTube videos teaching us how to dress or handle our make-up is extensive. It can be overwhelming. This new experience requires