Tag: Collaboration
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Creating Psychologically Safe Workplaces Amid Uncertainty
In times of heightened uncertainty, people look to their workplaces not just as places to earn a living, but as safe havens where they can express themselves without fear. Yet many workplaces fall short when it comes to fostering a true sense of psychological safety, especially for those already facing marginalization or increased vulnerability. In…
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When Your Colleague Isn’t Human: Rethinking Leadership for the Age of AI Agents
It’s hard to ignore all the talk about AI these days. It’s in the news, in our tech, and, more recently, in our dinner conversations. Just last weekend, a friend—a nurse by profession, deeply rooted in earth-based spirituality and about as non-technical as you can get—told me with total sincerity that she believes AI may…
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Unmasking Professionalism: Toward a More Courageous Way of Working
There’s a moment that happens, quietly and almost imperceptibly, at the start of the workday. Maybe it happens in the car, or in front of the bathroom mirror, or during the familiar click of a Zoom login. It’s the moment we put the mask on. Not a literal mask, but the one we’ve been trained…
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The Hidden Chaos of Undefined Roles
Ever feel like your organization is spinning its wheels, stuck in endless discussions, or bogged down by frustration and mistrust? You’re not alone. Many teams struggle with a lack of clarity around roles and accountabilities, and the symptoms show up in subtle but corrosive ways. If these signs sound familiar, it may be time to…
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I See You, Leader. Yes, I’m Talking to YOU!
There’s a quiet myth lurking in workplaces everywhere. It tells us that leadership is reserved for a select few—the ones with the titles, the corner offices, the decision-making power. It whispers that unless you’re a manager, director, or executive, leadership isn’t for you. I’m here to tell you that’s nonsense. Leadership is not a position.…
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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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Creating Impactful Products and Services
What makes a product impactful? It’s a question that stretches beyond the basics of market research and profit margins. When I talk about impactful products and services, I’m talking about creations that resonate with people, solve real problems, and align deeply with a purpose that goes beyond the balance sheet. Impactful products don’t just happen…
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Agile Isn’t Dead – We’re Just Doing It Instead of *Being* It
I keep hearing that Agile is dead. Honestly, I’ve been hearing this for years, and lately, it seems louder than ever. But I have to disagree—and not just because I’m an Agile practitioner. You might think, “Of course, you’re going to say that. You’ve been in this game for 15 years.” And yes, Agile has…
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A Startup Scaling Crossroad: Self-Management vs. Hierarchy
Startups are exciting, fast-paced environments where people wear multiple hats, collaborate at high speed and work closely together to bring a vision to life. But there’s a pivotal moment—right after launching a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)—when things begin to change. You need to grow, scale, and bring more structure to how work gets done without…
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Horizontal Leadership: A Gateway to Self-Management
If you’ve ever felt stuck in a bureaucratic organization, trapped by rigid hierarchies, or stifled by an “it’s not my job” culture, you’re not alone. Many of us have experienced the limitations of traditional top-down leadership—where decisions are made far away from the real work, and agility is a far-off dream. But what if I…