Psychological Safety - Lisa D. Foster, Leadership Coaching & Training

An executive practicing self-reflection as he looks out of the window

What the Best Leaders Do During the Quietest Week of the Year | Dec 29

December 29, 2025

Self-Reflection for Leaders Quietly separates strong leaders from stuck ones. Strong leaders understand something many people overlook: self-reflection for leaders is not downtime. It’s a performance skill. For some leaders, the quietest week of the year feels… strange. Meetings slow down. Decisions pause. Some people are fully offline, while others are half-working from home. For leaders accustomed to a fast pace, this lull can feel uncomfortable—or even unproductive. If you find yourself restless during this quiet time, it may be…

Confident decision making in leadership starts with listening and staying grounded under pressure.

Why Confident Decision Making Helps Leaders Perform Better Under Pressure

December 19, 2025

Decision Making Under Pressure

Strong leadership decisions depend less on having the right answer and more on confident decision making when the stakes are high. During disruption, crisis, or uncertainty, there is always an emotional reaction. That is human. But effective leaders know how to steady themselves, control their impulses, and create just enough space to respond clearly rather than react emotionally. They reconnect with their values. They consider the impact on their team, stakeholders, and customers. Then they move forward with clarity. That…

Trust in leadership improves team performance through open communication and collaboration.

Why Trust in Leadership Is the Fastest Way to Improve Team Performance

December 16, 2025

Trust and Building Teams

Trust isn’t a “nice to have” in leadership. It is one of the fastest and most reliable ways to improve team performance. When leaders focus on trust in leadership, work moves faster. Conversations become more honest. Problems surface earlier, when they are still small and solvable. Teams spend less time protecting themselves and more time actually doing the work. That is not idealism. It’s efficiency, and it’s based on years of science proving that trust is the essential element of…

service based leader listening building respect and motivation

Why Service-Based Leadership Is One of the Most Effective Leadership Skills

December 15, 2025

Trust and Building Teams

Service-based leadership is about making work easier, clearer, and more human for the people around you. Service-based leaders inspire the most effort, loyalty, and follow-through.They aren’t the loudest or most dominant. They’re the ones who consistently remove friction for their teams — who listen, anticipate obstacles, and step in to help without making it about themselves. That kind of leadership doesn’t just feel good.It works. Key Takeaways Why service-based leadership gets results Why Service Inspires People to Do Their Best…

Confident leader in naval uniform standing at attention, embodying calm, steady leadership presence.

How Leadership Presence Brings Your Values to Life — Especially on the Hard Days

December 12, 2025

Trust and Building Teams

Leadership presence is tested when pressure rises, emotions run high, and people look to you for steadiness. Key Takeaways When things are calm, leadership presence is easy. Most leaders show up as their best selves. Values feel clear. Decisions feel rational. Teams feel steady. But leadership isn’t measured by the easy days. Who you are as a leader—and how others see you and respond—is defined by how you handle the hard stuff. Leadership presence is what allows you to live…

Person journaling beside a winter window, reflecting on personal leadership values.

A Simple Exercise to Define Your Signature Leadership Values

December 10, 2025

Trust and Building Teams

Leaders make their biggest leaps when they plan who they want to be when things get hard — and dedicate themselves to those values. Key Takeaways Why defining leadership values matters: Leadership presence isn’t charisma, confidence, or polish. It’s the steadiness that comes from knowing what you stand for and being able to return to those values in the moments that matter most. Your values shape the culture your team experiences every day — how people communicate, raise concerns, solve…