How seeing systems reduces your overwhelm and increases your influence Dear Change Leader, “I kept thinking there had to be one key thing causing our retention problem,” explained David, a department head at a consulting firm. “I’d tackle communication, then discover it was workload. I’d address workload, then find out it was career development. […]
Seeing the Systems that Enable Everything Read More »
Dear Change Leader, “I thought I understood what was happening until I talked to someone in HR,” Marcus shared during a recent conversation. As Director of Operations for a growing tech company, Marcus had been wrestling with persistent delays in product launches. For weeks, he’d been focusing on what seemed obvious: the development team needed
The Perspectives that Shift Everything Read More »
Dear Change Leader, “I think I’ve been asking the wrong questions,” Sarah confided during our coaching session last week. As VP of Operations for a mid-sized company, Sarah had been struggling with an impossible challenge: her team consistently missed deadlines despite working long hours. For months, she’d focused on one question: “How can we get
The Questions That Change Everything Read More »
How overwhelmed leaders can develop strategic priorities and regain executive focus through intentional leadership calibration Dear Change Leader, “I’m being pulled in 1,000 directions, and I feel that I should be responsive to everyone and everything,” a CEO shared with me last week, her voice carrying the weight of six months of relentless disruption.
Recalibrating When Everything Feels Urgent: Moving From Distraction to Focus Read More »
Dear Change Leader, I’m writing this newsletter shortly after the summer solstice, almost at the midpoint of the year, as people traditionally prepare for their summer holidays. Given this transition point, I’d like to explore the benefit of pausing in the midst of what continues to be a hectic year. Imagine that you are
Appreciating The Clearing: Finding Perspective in the Midst of the Journey Read More »
Dear Change Leader, Picture this: A small dinosaur stands at the edge of a cliff, its body covered in what we now know were primitive feathers—originally evolved for warmth and display, not flight. Below stretches an unfamiliar landscape, changed by shifting climates and new predators. The old hunting grounds have dried up. The familiar food
Dear Change Leader, Ready. Fire. Aim. Sound familiar? If you’re wincing right now, you’re not alone. This all-too-common approach to change initiatives might be the most expensive three-word sequence in business. As one veteran change leader noted in Bent Flyvbjerg’s “How Big Things Get Done”: “Change Projects, not only do they often
Dear Change Leader, Would you fly on this airline? “We will no longer perform regular maintenance on our aircraft.” “Due to our hiring freeze, there will only be one pilot on the flight deck.” Imagine an airline making these announcements in the name of cost-cutting. Your reaction would likely be a mix
Dear Change Leader, Has anyone ever spoken to you like this? “Don’t you dare challenge me again.” “That’s a stupid idea” “Who asked you?” Ouch. That hurts. Think back to a time when you heard words like these. Notice how, even now, just remembering might make you feel unsettled. There’s a reason for that: emotions
When Leaders (Over) React: The Hidden Cost of Unmanaged Emotions Read More »
I’d never witnessed this before. A national election was threatening to tear a country apart. A high risk of violence by supporters of the losing party. Uncertainty about how the work of our organization would be impacted by the new government. I was unsure who I could trust in the workplace to speak about my