And get specific about what they can do to change that — I know plenty of people who think they’re ready to be promoted. The only problem? Their bosses disagree. I know this, not because their bosses told them so, but because their bosses haven’t promoted them yet. Actions speak louder than words, right? Some leaders avoid the topic altogether, while others…

The dichotomy of reactive vs. responsive leadership. — I am a highly-driven, albeit anxious, person. My drive for achievement is inextricably tied to a demanding impatience and, at any given time, I’m probably worried about something. We take the good with the bad, right? Now, imagine that I’m your boss at a time when the stakes are high…

“They just don’t realize your value” isn’t one of them. — As another year comes to a close and performance appraisals commence, many young professionals are walking out of their annual reviews feeling deflated and defeated. Another year over — and another opportunity for a promotion missed. Not being promoted when you think you deserve to be promoted is frustrating. But…

4 things you should be talking about with your boss each week. — Every company calls these meetings something different. Whether you call them ‘check-ins,’ ‘touch bases,’ or ‘one-on-ones,’ the goal remains the same across the board. These meetings are a chance to sit down with your boss each week to talk about how things are going at work. But, beyond that, they…

Employee engagement surveys can be simpler than you think. — I recently spoke with a small business owner who said, “I’d love to do an employee engagement survey, but that seems like a lot of work to take on right now. Maybe when things slow down.” Spoiler alert — things never slow down. He understood the importance of measuring employee…

Influence is the ability to have a positive impact on others which garners buy-in from key people. — I have only ever formally asked someone to be my mentor once in my career, and it was straight out of the gate. As an early-in-career 20-something, I was eager to make my mark on the company, and I saw the potential he had to help me do that. He…

The difference between coaching and feedback. — Your boss walks into your office, sits down, cocks his head to one said, and says, “Hey, can I give you some feedback?” How do you feel at that moment? What kind of emotional response does this question elicit for you? Most of us aren’t particularly looking forward to what…

And inspire confidence in your potential to achieve great things — I remember the knot in my stomach like it was yesterday. An executive passed me in the hallway on his way to another meeting. “Have you heard about the email your trainee sent to the man in the corner office?” he asked with a smirk. My heart started racing as…

The best leaders ask more questions and give fewer answers. — Great leaders inspire teams, influence colleagues, and develop strengths in others. But before leading others in practice, the best leaders master the art of thinking like a leader long before formally leading a team or having a ‘manager’ title bestowed upon them. Before starting my own talent consulting firm, I…

I know it’s hard, and I’m here to help. — I don’t like telling employees they’re not doing a good job any more than I like being told that I am not doing well. Delivering this news is arguably the worst part of being a team leader. Eventually, the time will come when someone on your team isn’t pulling their…