How to Stop Fixing Symptoms and Start Solving Problems
Have you ever been in a situation where a decision in one area creates ripple effects far away? This is when a linear, “fix-the-symptom” approach to problem solving falls short. As organizations grow more complex, technology evolves, and teams become more interconnected, a different mindset is required. This is where systems thinking comes in, which […]
Holiday Cheer, Fewer Fears: A Leader’s Guide to Today’s Office Party
Office parties have always been equal parts celebration and social experiment. They can connect workers from different parts of the company, deepen trust, heal team rifts, and create memories that make hard work feel worthwhile. Alternatively, they can introduce legal and reputational risk at the speed of an open bar. Handled well, corporate social events […]
Make Your Year-End Performance Reviews Meaningful
End-of-year performance reviews (and mid-term reviews, for that matter) are one of corporate life’s least loved rituals, typically despised by workers and managers alike. While it would be wonderful to get rid of them altogether, how would leaders determine pay, promotions, and developmental priorities? Back in 2016, when abolishing performance reviews was all the rage, […]
How to Keep a Tough Crowd From Derailing Your Meeting
Facilitation is generally considered the secret weapon to leading a productive meeting. The planning that comes with facilitation can help even a novice lead a meeting like a seasoned vet and alleviate many of the issues that arise when a meeting lacks preparation and thoughtful design. And it doesn’t take a certified facilitator to accomplish […]
Avoid Leading a Meeting That “Could’ve Been an Email”
You’ve probably been in that meeting — the one where the agenda looks promising, but the conversation drifts, time runs out, and nothing truly gets decided. You leave wondering, “What did we actually accomplish?”. We run meetings because that’s what we’ve always done. But somewhere along the way, we’ve confused “holding a meeting” with “making […]
How Limiting Remote Time for New Hires Raise Job Satisfaction and Performance
Most leaders agree the “where” of work should follow the “why,” meaning the best workplace strategies don’t start with location—they start with purpose. Yet there’s a persistent myth that any limit on remote work will tank morale, particularly among Gen Z employees (those born between 1996 and 2012). The data tells a more nuanced story. […]
How to Make Your AI Strategy Work
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is both over-sold and under-used. Some are dazzled by demos and new tools; others are tired of promises without payoff. The truth sits somewhere in between: organizations that adopt AI with focus, clear guardrails, and continual learning are unlocking real advantages. If you’re not seeing bottom-line improvements yet, though, you’re not alone. […]
Top 5 Drivers of Job Satisfaction in 2025—and What to Do About Them
After 15 years of incremental improvements, job satisfaction among U.S. workers reached a historic high in 2025. According to The Conference Board’s latest Job Satisfaction survey, satisfaction and engagement jumped a remarkable 5.6% since 2023—marking the largest single-year increase since the survey began in 1987. Taking into account both worker satisfaction and employee engagement, the […]
Beyond Applause: Designing a Recognition Culture That Actually Works
Companies pour millions of dollars into engagement surveys, leadership development, and performance tools — all chasing the elusive goal of a thriving, high-performing workforce. These efforts are often necessary; yet, one of the most potent drivers of employee motivation remains deceptively simple and sometimes overlooked: effective recognition. While this may sound like flashy awards or […]
Routine to Results: How Habits Drive Business Success
Habits are pivotal, whether you are talking about individual success or organizational performance. Understanding and strategically influencing habits, or automatic behaviors can transform professional effectiveness by significantly enhancing productivity, improving decision-making, and even helping to create a positive workplace culture. This blog distills core insights about the power of habits based on perspectives from leading […]
