We’ve crossed the AI threshold. Now the question is: who are you on the other side? AI is here and it’s woven into workflows, decisions, customer experiences, performance reviews, and knowledge work. Tasks once considered “strategic” have been automated. Judgment we once thought uniquely human is simulated with startling accuracy. In this moment, leaders are … Read more
Every leader I know, whether in a five-person business or a 400,000 multi-site employee system, feels the pressure to “drive engagement.” In a small business, that pressure feels personal—every person matters, every attitude shapes the atmosphere.In a large organization, it comes from dashboards, survey scores, and top-down goals. It’s a noble goal, an important goal—and … Read more
For years, I’ve worked with leaders, teams, and organizations across industries. One insight has remained constant: sustainable transformation doesn’t begin with new tools, new strategies, or new metrics. It begins with identity clarity. That’s why I coined the term identity-first leadership and have expanded it to a training offering, “Identity-First Teaming: From Me to We”. … Read more
Leadership isn’t just about what you do. It’s about who you are—and who you’re becoming. For decades, leadership development has focused on skills, competencies, and behaviors: how to delegate, how to communicate, how to strategize. These matter—but they don’t explain why many highly skilled leaders still end up burned out, disconnected, or on autopilot. The … Read more
Most leaders don’t wake up and say, “Today I’ll lead on autopilot.”But if we’re honest, many of us slip into it without realizing: back-to-back meetings, urgent churn through emails, cuaght up in constant change. We keep moving, but not necessarily with awareness. Autopilot leadership feels safe and necessary—it keeps the wheels turning. But over time, … Read more
You’ve seen it before: A leader goes through a training. They learn how to motivate the team, engage a crucial conversation, delegate, hold one-on-ones, or communicate more clearly. For a few weeks, they try out their new skills. But soon old patterns creep back in. Or worse, the “new behaviors” vanish under pressure. Why? Because … Read more
In our relentless pursuit of productivity hacks, meticulously tracked performance metrics, and the latest leadership frameworks, we’ve inadvertently overlooked the very foundation upon which all of these rest: identity clarity. Not personality tests.Not style assessments.Not generic competencies. Who you are—and how congruently you lead from that place—is the most predictive variable of your leadership effectiveness. … Read more
We often think of leadership in terms of strategy, execution, and achieving results. But in today’s dynamic work environment, something more nuanced is required for the relationships you lead: emotional precision. At the heart of effective leadership lies the delicate art of balancing genuine human connection with clear professional boundaries – a “sweet spot” that … Read more
In my coaching work with leaders, I’m often asked how to become more confident, more effective, or more inspiring. And often we find ourselves backing up to a more foundational truth: you have to know who you are before you can decide how you lead. Leadership isn’t just a collection of skills—it’s an extension of … Read more
Empathy is an essential leadership skill, strengthening relationships, building trust, and improving team morale. Yet many leaders hesitate to lean into empathy for fear of seeming weak or overly accommodating. Striking the right balance between understanding and authority is key to maintaining leadership effectiveness. Empathetic leadership does not mean lowering standards or avoiding difficult conversations. … Read more
Commit to growth