Insights

People development is more than performance reviews and promotions. Discover four common traps that prevent leaders from helping others grow, and learn how small, intentional actions can unlock meaningful development.

When busyness looks like progress, it’s time to pause. by Joseph Thompson I can’t think of a more important skill for leaders right now than reclaiming the space to think clearly in the midst of all the noise. - Dorie Clark, author and executive educator, 2026 Slow is smooth and smooth is fast. U.S. Navy SEALS mantra Image by author, Joseph Thompson, using MS Designer It is an all-too-common refrain from management teams: We’re too busy. “We’re too busy to plan for the fut

What changes when leaders move from setting expectations to creating agreements? Explore how shared commitments can strengthen accountability, trust, ownership, and team performance.

by Ashley Campana, PCC, PMP Every leader is carrying a rulebook nobody handed them. It got built a long time ago, a piece at a time. A first boss who never unplugged, even while on vacation. A performance review that stung. A comment you were never supposed to remember but did. The rules feel like values. Most of the time, they're just old habits masquerading as values. My client, a Program Director at a healthcare organization, wasn't overcommitted because anyone told her to

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 capability

Feedback on Your Feedback Giving and receiving feedback is a universal part of our daily lives and one that constantly shapes our growth and development . Whether in professional settings, personal relationships, or casual interactions, feedback plays a crucial role in communication and improvement. What is the last piece of feedback you received or offered, and how did that go? The experiences can range from frustration and confusion to gratitude and growth. Learning to give

By Lana Bader-Kodsi As John Donne noted in a 17th-century sermon: “No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.” Loosely translated into modern-day corporate-speak, the organization transcends the individual; we are all connected. Either we rise or fall together – the individual is an integral part of the whole. Applying this broadly to the ever-increasing volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environment confr

In the fast-evolving business landscape, the potential of a company's workforce remains its most vital asset. When employees flourish, so does the organization. "The greatest asset of a company is its people." – Jorge Paulo Lemann However, unleashing the full potential of your team members isn't merely about assigning more tasks or increasing workload; it’s about strategically empowering them to excel in their roles and beyond. Here’s how organizations can create environment