"Wait, wait, hold up," I said. She was blowing past something valuable she'd done like it was as easy as making ice.  Like so many driven, diligent leaders and high performers I work with, she was questioning her capability and feeling a touch of imposter syndrome, so I asked her to tell me about an example that sparked these feelings.  As she told me about a recent project, she was so focused on what she thought she was missing - highly technical skills in a particular area

As much as I don't want to admit it, the most powerful realization I came to this year is that I need to get better at feeling bad. I've decided that self-care isn't about feeling good all the time.  I'm going to feel more uncomfortable, uncertain, awkward, nervous and vulnerable in 2026. So I can have more real conversations, say what I really think, eat more real food, have more real experiences, create real community with genuine connection. Be REAL. That means less junk:

I’ve noticed three common time leaks in overwhelmed people’s weeks. Here's the first one: Equating availability with value. Believing this leads you to allow all kinds of interruptions. You actually invite them in because you think you're being helpful. Reliable. Responsible. "Got a minute?" "Quick question." "Can I pick your brain?" You say yes because: You want to be seen as a team player You don't want to seem difficult It really will only take a minute... right? Nope. Her

You're bad at disappointing people... ...at handling the discomfort of the possibility of disagreement, judgment or criticism about your decisions. ...at creating a solid foundation of confidence in your own judgment and decisiveness. And that's why the days run away from you. Why you can't find time to think and plan. Why you finish the workday feeling like you're not doing anything well. Why you have to drag your laptop out at 8 p.m. instead of enjoying some couch time with

There's a simple (not easy) recipe for respect and recognition.  You hold the key, and it's something most people discover by accident, if ever.  Permission.  Permission to protect your time. Permission to challenge a flawed process. Permission to say "I need to think about this" instead of reflexively saying yes. Here's what I've learned from coaching leaders for years: You don't need to be the most senior person in the room to have conviction about what matters. But you do

There's one thing that makes people stand out this time of year. It has nothing to do with what they're doing right now. Most people have been heads-down all year, cranking out deliverables, diligently attending back-to-back meetings, striving for inbox zero and indiscriminately putting out fires as they pop up. Working hard, for sure.  And not tracking their impact.  So now they're in panic mode, knowing they put in tons of effort but at a loss for how to demonstrate the val

Worried your manager thinks you're in over your head? Wondering if you really belong at the leadership table? Try this simple confidence-boosting habit.  Tracking your wins. When you step into a bigger role, your brain is looking for proof that you belong there. Without evidence, the old stories—"I'm not ready," "I got lucky," "I don't belong"—stay in charge. So you need to deliberately collect data: compliments received, problems solved, support offered, ideas advanced. You'

I was really surprised. It was 4:30 p.m., three days after we'd returned from vacation in Italy. And I felt ready for bed. "How long will it take for my body to realize we're back in the Eastern time zone?" I asked my cat, Jojo, the only one around. Jet lag lingered for almost a full week as my body and brain readjusted to the six-hour time difference. Thankfully, I had sunshine and clock time to guide me. But when you experience a similar effect at work, like my client Melis

I know that the thought of getting called out for being wrong or underprepared makes your stomach turn. But holding back until you're...

Most of what people know about your work comes from you. Here's why this is a problem... We're conditioned to minimize our successes......

Empathy made me a terrible listener and ineffective leader. Here's where I got it wrong - I cared so much that I wanted to solve every...

Here's why self-promotion is one of your most important responsibilities: What if you're the answer to someone's biggest problem and they...

I wish you'd stop trying to be more confident. Here's why... It's creating a lot of overthinking, self-doubt and second-guessing. All the...

"How do I get rid of this anger, Lisa?" What I said next surprised her. "The anger is there for a reason. Listen to it, learn from it,...

An incredible client, a longtime VP, was 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐄𝐎 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫...

If you want to change the game, you have to be in the game. So don't dismiss office politics.  I worked with a dedicated corporate...

I used to lead crisis communications. The kind where cameras are rolling, microphones are shoved in your face, and reporters drill the same tough question over and over, waiting for you to flinch. I knew how to hold my own under pressure. Think on my feet. Manage the message. Tell our story clearly, confidently and memorably. That's why what happened later left me shocked and shattered. I was tapped to lead the first-ever social media team at a Fortune 150 company. Ten people

Being a good student stalled my career advancement big time. I loved school. I love learning and almost always got good grades (except...

Are you caught on the overthinker hamster wheel? No matter how much time you spend preparing to present your plan to leadership, there's...

Ever heard of popcorn brain? It's the effect of always looking at our phones. We're constantly checking for updates - in line at the...