Emotional self-awareness is the most important skill for leadership effectiveness.
Confidence at work isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room, the one with all the answers, or the person who never shows doubt. Real confidence at work is quieter—and stronger. Key Takeaways Real confidence is about knowing your strengths and leaning into them. It’s accepting your weaknesses instead of hiding them. And it’s leading from your values so you stay calm under pressure and make steady decisions. That’s what authority without ego looks like—the kind of confidence people…
Read More
Everyone wants influence at work, whether it’s with their boss, their team, or colleagues across the organization. The question is: what’s the best way to earn it? Influence is a subtle art. Sometimes even when you have the best advice, pushing too hard can backfire. In this post, I’ll explain what influence really is, how it works, and why it so often goes wrong. What Influence Is Influence at work is about advocating for an idea—not issuing a command. Many…
Read More
Validation in leadership is an often overlooked skill that builds trust and performance. Key Takeaways Validation at work is one of the deepest human needs—and one of the most overlooked leadership skills. Nothing motivates people more than feeling seen, heard, and valued. When managers learn to validate their team members’ feelings and experiences, they unlock hidden potential for trust, learning, and motivation. Validation isn’t just “being nice.” It’s a powerful, practical tool for leading people. Used well, it can transform…
Read More
If you’ve ever walked out of a meeting thinking, “Why am I doing all the thinking?” the GOOD model of conversation is for you. It’s a four-step coaching approach—Goals, Options, Obstacles, Do—that turns managers into coaches. When someone asks for advice, it’s tempting to tell them what to do. However, telling people what they should do is micromanaging and judgmental. Instead, the GOOD model offers an easy way to take a coaching approach, using questions to guide them forward. Why…
Read More
Nearly all of my clients want to appear more confident and speak with authority. Some want to look more confident; others want to feel more confident. These goals aren’t the same—but both are achievable. Key Takeaways Leadership Presence vs. Real Confidence: Why Appearance Isn’t Enough “Leadership presence” is a catchall term for behaviors leaders commonly exhibit. However, real confidence is more than a set of behaviors that you exhibit. It’s about being able to respond authentically in the moment, without…
Read More
If you want to get more recognition at work, “heads-down” excellence isn’t enough. Your boss is likely juggling fires; even strong work can fly under the radar. These six moves raise your visibility—without bragging or burning out. Causes of Low Recognition It’s likely you are feeling that your boss doesn’t appreciate you enough. Usually, this doesn’t mean that you have of a toxic workplace (although, of course, occasionally it does). More often, it’s because your boss is overworked and distracted…
Read More
