There’s a fancy restaurant in my village where one issue keeps cropping up in virtually every review, year after year. The picture is consistently the same: the food is excellent. The service is consistently substandard. [...]
A leader makes people feel safe. A boss makes people feel insecure. It sounds simple, but in practice you see how often things go wrong. I speak to many people who feel stuck in their [...]
You know how it is: that one negative team member who affects the whole atmosphere? The one who sighs deeply and loudly at everything, or responds to most things with a critical remark or look? [...]
“Has this been discussed in the MT?” “Are you going to bring this up in the MT?” “Has a decision already been made about this in the MT?” When I was a manager and part [...]
“I’m sorry you feel that way.” It sounds reasonable, almost caring. And yet, this is where it goes wrong. At first glance, it seems like an apology. But if you listen closely, you’ll hear that [...]
“This is my boundary, and you’re not crossing it either,” Astrid shouted at Harmjan in Season 1 of B&B Vol Liefde. Harmjan had used more spices than Astrid had specified. Looking back, she said, “I [...]
“You need to step out of your comfort zone. You play it too safe. Test your limits!” Comments like that from your boss. Ever heard them? You immediately wonder: do I want this? Does this [...]
Leadership is not a role you play (and has nothing to do with your position or title) In 2018, Nadia Murad and Dr. Denis Mukwege won the Nobel Peace Prize, each for their commitment to [...]
A young mother is sitting in a crowded café. Her baby is sleeping in a baby carrier, surrounded by piles of coats and bags. An older couple is trying to get past her chair with [...]
Change is inextricably linked to leadership. And precisely when that change is intended to improve things, it often causes initial unease. In teams, this manifests as doubt: Why are we doing this? What does [...]
