Author: Erika Bjune
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The Power to Resist: How Self-Managed Teams Offer an Alternative to Oppression
The world is shifting, and not always in the direction of progress. We are watching, in real time, as command-and-control leaders attempt to consolidate power, erode protections, and enforce top-down compliance–both in government and in organizations. Oppression thrives in rigid hierarchies, where those at the top dictate the fates of those below and where fear…
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Employee Engagement Decline: The Alarm’s Been Going Off for Years
Last week, Gallup released its annual report on employee engagement, and the findings are hard to ignore. Employee engagement in the U.S. has dropped to its lowest level in a decade, with only 31% of employees engaged and 17% actively disengaged. This continues a troubling downward trend over the past few years and highlights the…
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From Complexity to Clarity: Integral Theory for Modern Leaders
In a world that often seeks to confine and categorize us, both in business and society, integral theory offers a breath of fresh air. It’s an invitation to step back, broaden our perspectives, and embrace the full complexity of the systems we live and work within. For me, integral theory resonates deeply with the idea…
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New Year, New Team: Micro-Experiments to Grow as a Leader
The start of a new year often feels like a fresh chapter—a chance to reset, reflect, and embrace growth. For new managers or leaders looking to strengthen their skills and connect more deeply with their teams, this moment offers an opportunity to experiment with new leadership approaches. Leadership isn’t just about authority or decision-making; it’s…
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Resolutions for Resilience: Exploring Self-Management in 2025
As the new year approaches, it’s tradition to reflect on the past twelve months and set resolutions for the year ahead. These resolutions often focus on our personal growth—getting healthier, saving more, learning something new. But what if we extended this practice to our organizations? What kinds of resolutions could our teams and workplaces make…
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Making the Leap: How to Prepare Your Organization for Self-Management
The idea of self-management can feel both inspiring and intimidating. It promises greater autonomy, shared accountability, and a workplace where trust, transparency, and collaboration replace rigid hierarchies. But how do you get there? If you’re contemplating this transformation in 2025, you’re not alone. Organizations across industries are realizing that traditional power structures often stifle creativity…
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Reflecting on Organizational Purpose: Is It Guiding Your Growth?
As the calendar inches closer to its final pages, it’s natural for organizations to shift into reflection mode. Leaders take stock of the year’s successes and challenges, employees look back on what worked and what didn’t, and teams gather to plan for the road ahead. In purpose-driven organizations, this season of reflection is an opportunity…
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The Power of Positive Framing
For many of us, there’s a heavy sense of uncertainty hanging in the air right now. Challenges—big and small—seem to pile up, leaving us feeling unsteady. In moments like these, it’s tempting to focus on what’s going wrong or on everything that feels out of our control. This mindset isn’t just personal; it often seeps…
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The Power of Gratitude in Organizations: A Thanksgiving Reflection
Around the world, different traditions emphasize giving thanks—whether it’s the harvest festivals of Southeast Asia, the Autumn Moon Festival in China, or the Ubuntu philosophy in parts of Africa, which centers on interconnectedness and mutual care. Thanksgiving is this week in the United States—a holiday where many of us gather to eat too much, tell…
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Embedding Sustainability in Agile Teams for a Greener Future
We’ve all seen the headlines: companies buying carbon credits while continuing environmentally harmful practices or launching marketing campaigns that overstate the positive impact of their sustainability initiatives. This isn’t the kind of change that will significantly slow the climate crisis, nor is it the kind that will motivate a team to feel proud of their…