Insights

by Neal Eisenstein These days, I spend much of my time working with senior teams navigating uncertainty, growth pressure, lack of alignment, and constant change. No matter the industry, personalities at the table, or presenting challenges, the same question eventually surfaces: "What can I do to strengthen my team, raise performance, and improve collaboration?" My response is usually simple: Start with yourself. That may sound counterintuitive. Many leaders assume the solutio

by Sarah Shell Strategic planning is one of the most important - and most misunderstood - leadership activities. Every year, executive teams step away from day-to-day operations to craft bold visions, define priorities, and align around a roadmap for the future. Flip charts are filled. Slides are refined. Retreats are energized. The language is inspiring. And then… six months later, very little has changed. The truth is uncomfortable but consistent across sectors: most strate

By: Salima Hemani, President & CEO, SZH Consulting Each year, I choose a single word to focus my intention and leadership practice. This year, that word is clarity . Not simply because it is elegant or aspirational, but because clarity is one of the most powerful, and most underestimated, drivers of personal effectiveness, organizational health, and strategic progress. In fact, when I reflect on the work we do at SZH Consulting, clarity is the throughline. It is the capabilit

The world feels extra right now. We've been treading (and sometimes drowning in) messy waters for a while, but somehow, the waves keep getting bigger. Disruption is constant, fear keeps our hearts lurching, and the impact seeps into every corner of our lives—including the workplace. At work, we’ve gone from the chronic stress of nonstop firefighting and pivoting to utter overwhelm and befuddlement comas from relentless chaos. And let’s be real—in the chaos, we don’t always

The way we make meaning of people, information, and the world around us shapes, guides, and even determines the decisions we are able to make and the decisions we do make. If you want to make different or better decisions, you have to work on how you're making meaning of the world around you. The Complexity and Uncertainty Challenge This is a good news, bad news situation. The world is only getting more complex, and the demand for leaders who are critical thinkers and ca