Let’s be real: dealing with a bad boss isn’t just “uncomfortable.” It can chip away at your confidence, drain your motivation, and make you question your entire career. I’ve been there — working under someone who tried to make me feel small, second-guess everything I did, and walk on eggshells every day. This isn’t going to be a fluffy list … Read More
What to Do If You’re the Culture Problem
Let’s have an uncomfortable conversation — the kind most people avoid: What if the real culture issue at work… is you? Not the toxic boss.Not the broken system.Not “the team that just doesn’t get it.” What if the friction, the misalignment, the tension you keep feeling……isn’t coming from the culture — but through you? Sound harsh? Maybe. But stick with … Read More
What to Do When Your Career Falls Apart: A Guide for When Everything Cracks
Ideally, the time for building identity and career definition is in the quieter moments — when your world isn’t on fire, and there’s space to reflect, reassess, and move with intention. That’s when the best career changes happen. Not in panic, but in clarity. But life doesn’t always give us that luxury. So if you’re here because everything went south … Read More
Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt (FUD): Why Smart People Make Bad Decisions
Most bad decisions don’t come from stupidity.They come from fear.Not the kind that screams — the kind that whispers. We often assume that poor decisions come from a lack of intelligence, experience, or even willpower. But in reality, the root cause is far more emotional than logical. It’s not about knowing less — it’s about feeling less certain. And when … Read More
How to Make a Great First Impression (It’s Not What You Think)
You don’t get a warm-up.First impressions hit fast — and they stick.In just a few seconds, people decide two things: Do I like you? Can I trust you? Not “Are you brilliant?”Not “Are you the most qualified?” Psychologists call this the warmth + competence model — and it explains almost every reaction people have to you in the first few … Read More
How to Handle a Toxic Employee Without Losing Your Team or Your Integrity
Let’s be honest — dealing with toxic employees is one of the hardest parts of leadership. Not because we don’t know what to do on paper, but because in real life, things get blurry: They’re high performers but create chaos behind the scenes They’re charming upward but corrosive sideways They cross lines without “technically” breaking rules Or worst of all … Read More
You Don’t Have a Culture Problem. You Have a Leadership Problem.
We’ve all heard the line:“Culture eats strategy for breakfast.”And it’s true. But what’s rarely said—at least, honestly—is what it actually costs to change culture. Because it’s not about posters, perks, or inspirational all-hands meetings. Transforming culture means living your values out loud, even when it’s inconvenient. Especially when it’s inconvenient.It’s not about what you say.It’s about what people see you … Read More
Don’t Ask for a Raise Unless You’re Ready to Walk
Most advice about asking for a raise is polite. Too polite. It tells you to build a case, pick the right time, rehearse your tone. But here’s the truth:If you need to ask for a raise, your company is already behind. Great managers—ones who value your work and want to keep you—adjust compensation before you have to bring it up. … Read More
Why Emotionally Intelligent Leaders Outperform Under Pressure
We’ve all seen it happen. A company hires a new leader with strong credentials and high expectations. A year later, they’re gone—pushed out after a string of missteps, missed targets, and a culture that never quite clicked. Then, a second leader steps in. Same company. Same challenges. Yet within the same timeframe, this leader earns the team’s trust, improves performance, … Read More