How to Say Hard Things to Good People at Work

If you’re a leader of people, projects, or processes, there will come a time when you’ll have to know how to say hard things to good people at work. It’s inevitable. The hard things might be issues that emerge in your company’s regular performance management process. But more often today, we have to find a […]Read the full post >>

How to Assess Risk in Your Career (Free Worksheet, Too)

Whether you take action or stand still, there’s risk in your career. Yup, RISK is definitely a four-letter word for most of us. Like FEAR. Or PAIN. Truth is, we live in a world where risk is inevitable. But taking a risk in your career gets confusing. How do we assess it, evaluate it, and […]Read the full post >>

Four Leadership Strategies To Build More Trust (Psst: They’re Unexpected)

What if I had a magic pill that would instantly make you a better leader? You know, the kind people talk about, fondly, for years –even long after they’ve left the organization? Well, that magic pill exists. It’s called TRUST. We all know when we don’t trust someone. But we don’t always know when someone […]Read the full post >>

Make the Most of Change: 3 Meaningful Actions to Take Now

If there’s anything I know for sure, it’s that the past is gone and the future’s not fully here yet. So what can we do to navigate through our work and lives right NOW? How can we make the most of change that’s happening around us? It’s easy to slip into a confused, wandering state […]Read the full post >>

Here’s Why Making Career Decisions Is Hard (& How To Make Them Easier)

Let’s face it: when it comes to making career decisions, even the sharpest among us can struggle. Yes, even when we’re lucky enough to choose between something great and something equally great, we swirl and spend endless joules of human energy worrying about our decisions, sometimes giving up and just deciding to make none at […]Read the full post >>

“My Skills Are Not Being Utilized” (& What to Do If That’s You)

I’m always asking my readers and speaking audiences to tell me their real-world, real life questions about decisions and choices you need to make in your life at work. Here’s one I hear all the time: “What do I do if my skills are not being utilized?” (Personally, I hate the word “utilized” for anything […]Read the full post >>

How to Deal With a Bully at Work: Surprising Strategies to Use Now

Let’s be honest: if you have to deal with a bully at work, it’s exhausting. Whether it’s a boss who constantly critiques, a colleague who dismisses your ideas, or even a direct report who undermines your leadership, the emotional labor it takes is real. But here’s something we don’t talk about enough: most traditional advice […]Read the full post >>

My Year Without TV*, and Lessons Learned Along the Way

(*Update: the “year” has now become ten; and counting.) It happened again the other night—this time at a neighborhood party. “Did you see ________ on TV last night?” And I have to smile quietly and answer “no. ” I believe “no” is a complete answer, but in this case, it’s not exactly a fair one. […]Read the full post >>

Doing Good While Doing Well with Angel Investor Marcia Dawood

In my work as an executive coach, I see how often we hear ideas that interest us but we stop, thinking “that would be too hard” or “it’s not for people like me.” Angel investing is one of those ideas for me, but I’ve found that today’s “angels” aren’t all Silicon Valley bros. In fact, […]Read the full post >>