Must-Read Insights

Thought Leadership for Today's Business Leaders

Dive into understanding how our philosophy can help you along the path to prosperity.

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Is Teachership the New Leadership?

Jun 1, 2022

Two things are true about leadership: if you’re a leader, you’re a teacher—and great leaders are great readers. Many of the world’s top CEOs credit their success to constant learning. Warren Buffett reads hundreds of pages a day, Bill Gates finishes about 50 books a year, and Mark Cuban spends hours daily reading. The reason is simple: leaders who continue learning are better equipped to guide and develop the people around them.

But learning alone isn’t enough. Real leadership impact happens when knowledge is shared. Psychology calls this the protégé effect—we understand and retain information better when we teach it to others. When leaders coach, mentor, and share what they learn, they strengthen both their teams and their own mastery.

Great leaders intentionally create teaching moments—whether through mentorship, discussion, or everyday conversations. By committing to continuous learning and passing that knowledge forward, leaders build stronger teams, develop future leaders, and create a culture of growth within their organization.

conflict

Is There a Right Way to Fight with my Coworkers? Oh Yes.

May 2, 2022

Conflict at work is inevitable—but it doesn’t have to be destructive. In fact, research shows that when handled the right way, disagreement between coworkers can actually improve creativity, collaboration, and performance. The problem is that many of us avoid conflict altogether because our brains interpret disagreement as a threat, triggering what psychologists call an “amygdala hijack.” In those moments, our instinct is to fight, flee, or shut down—rather than engage productively.

Great leaders understand that innovation requires healthy conflict. When teams feel psychologically safe to question ideas, challenge assumptions, and offer different perspectives, better solutions emerge. The key is not eliminating conflict, but learning to “fight better.”

By modeling respectful disagreement, encouraging diverse viewpoints, and framing conflict as curiosity instead of confrontation, leaders can transform tension into collaboration. When teams learn to fight the right way, they don’t fall apart—they grow stronger and more united.

strategic planning

The Value of a Strategically Built Soft Skill Development Plan

Apr 27, 2022

There is a talent crisis occurring right now in today’s workforce. Give yourself and your team an advantage by taking the time to set up a developmental plan around soft skills. The investment now will pay off later. With a strategically built soft-skill development plan that accounts for an organization’s key values and the needs of its workers, organizations set a strong foundation for employee growth, productivity, and satisfaction that will help to ensure long-lasting success.

empathy

Human First, Employee Second: 7 Random Acts of Kind Leadership

Apr 4, 2022

“I always remember human first, employee second.” One of my clients recently shared this simple but powerful leadership philosophy—and it highlights a major gap in many workplaces today. While 60% of CEOs believe their organizations are empathetic, only 24% of employees agree. That disconnect has real consequences, with many employees leaving their companies in search of more compassionate environments.

Empathy is not something that can be mandated through policies or written in an employee handbook. It’s a leadership skill that must be developed intentionally. Psychologist Daniel Goleman describes three forms of empathy—cognitive, emotional, and compassionate—each playing a role in how leaders understand, connect with, and support their teams.

Great leaders practice empathy by listening deeply, recognizing the human challenges their employees face, and creating genuine connections. When leaders see their team members as people first and employees second, they build trust, strengthen engagement, and create workplaces where individuals—and organizations—can truly thrive.

balance

Stop the “Life Balance” Thing

Mar 10, 2022

We hear about work-life balance all the time—but according to leaders like Jeff Bezos, the concept itself may be flawed. The idea that work and life exist in perfect opposition creates pressure to constantly trade one for the other. Instead, many successful leaders embrace a different concept: work-life blending.

Rather than treating work and personal life as separate blocks competing for time, blending recognizes that the two are deeply interconnected. Research shows that modern work environments—especially with remote and hybrid models—naturally blur the lines between professional and personal responsibilities. The most effective leaders acknowledge this reality and create environments that support flexibility, wellness, and healthy integration.

Great leaders understand that their habits influence their teams. When leaders model healthy routines, encourage flexibility, and support employees as whole people—not just workers—they build cultures where productivity, well-being, and engagement can thrive together.

EGO

Is Your Ego Preventing You from Being a Better Leader?

Feb 14, 2022

Many leaders talk about leading change, but far fewer succeed at getting others to truly buy in with their hands, heart, and mind. Often the biggest barrier isn’t the team—it’s the leader’s own ego. When leaders become overly attached to their ideas, they can fall into a psychological trap known as escalation of commitment, continuing to invest time, energy, and resources into a failing path simply because they’ve already committed to it.

Research shows this happens for several reasons: sunk costs, fear of regret, the desire to finish what was started, and the threat to one’s ego if they admit they were wrong. But great leaders understand that changing direction isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom.

The most effective leaders stay aware of this bias, check their egos, and remain flexible enough to pivot when new information emerges. By openly admitting mistakes, encouraging critical thinking, and celebrating lessons learned, leaders create a culture where smart adjustments—not stubborn persistence—drive better results.

givers takers

3 Part Blog Series: The Job Interview – Part 3: Let the Wrong People Pass By You! Find the Givers and Pass on the Takers

Feb 14, 2022

When hiring new employees, many leaders focus on experience, skills, and credentials—but they may be overlooking one of the most important qualities: humility. Research from organizational psychologist Adam Grant highlights three types of people in the workplace—givers, takers, and matchers—and shows that organizations thrive when they screen out the “takers.” Even a single taker can have a disproportionately negative impact on team culture and performance.

Great hiring processes look beyond résumés and probe deeper into how candidates view success and relationships. Questions such as “To whom do you owe your success?” or “Who has influenced your career the most?” can reveal whether someone recognizes the contributions of others or focuses primarily on themselves.