Blog

It all began with a phone call on the afternoon of January 7th, 2025. A friend’s urgent voice from Northern California asked, “Are you evacuating?” I was caught off guard. I had been coaching all day with notifications turned off.“What are you talking about?” I asked.“ The Pacific Palisades fires—haven’t you heard?” she replied, surprised at my lack of awareness.

Leadership demands a delicate balance of compassion, assertiveness, delegation, and accountability. Even leaders with the purest intentions can inadvertently fall into traps that hinder their team's growth and effectiveness. Let's explore four critical mistakes well-meaning leaders often make and how to gracefully sidestep them to nurture a more vibrant and resilient team dynamic.

After spending three decades in the fast-paced corporate world, I transitioned into executive coaching. For 30 years in that high-pressure environment, I had carefully cultivated a reputation as a driven, results-oriented leader who could propel initiatives across the finish line. While I achieved success, I realized I had focused too much on achieving results and lost touch with the person I am most proud of - someone who creates trust and connection with others.

Assuming the best in people, also known as a positive or optimistic outlook in human interactions, has been the subject of various studies and research in the fields of psychology, sociology, and management. When we look for positive intent, we give people the benefit of the doubt and we give ourself the chance to learn the details of the situation.

Change can be difficult, but it is necessary in order to create a happy and more fulfilling life. Remember, change is an opportunity for growth and transformation. Embrace the change and see what amazing things happen as a result.

The Future will be different. Command and Control worked well in a predictable world. Disruptive change is now becoming the norm in a more unpredictable world. Enjoy the change, enjoy the ride, value people more than tasks, support vs. advise, assume positive intent, be patient and vulnerable, admit to your short comings and mistakes. This makes you a great human being. Become the leader you wanted to have when you were climbing the ladder.