Hey Reader Earlier this week, I shared a quick update about the book I’m reading, and honestly? I figured it might get a couple of likes, maybe a comment or two. But what I got was completely unexpected. The post blew up—not just with comments, but with real recommendations. People weren’t just dropping titles; they were sharing books that actually matter to them. Stuff that’s making them think differently, work smarter, or just see the world in a new way. Fiction, nonfiction, deep dives into...
12 days ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader This Tuesday, I had a fantastic conversation with Marianna Inozemtseva, LinkedIn strategist and founder of Linkifyo, about a topic that more of us should be thinking about long before we need it: building your personal brand. I remember myself in my corporate days only dusting off my LinkedIn profile when I was job hunting or plotting my next career leap. But, like for many in a similar situation, by then, the game is already in motion—and you’re starting from behind Marianna and I...
19 days ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader Startups are messy. Add government clients, multiple time zones, and a major leadership transition, and you’ve got a recipe for drama. But that’s exactly the situation I walked into when I was asked to help mediate at a B2G startup selling complex software in emerging markets. When the “Perfect Fit” Isn’t Enough On paper, Jim looked like a dream hire. A young, energetic executive with a proven track record in complex sales. The founder, ready to step back, handed over the reins and...
26 days ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader This week was full. But not just busy—it was productive, too. And let’s face it: those two don’t always go hand in hand. We’ve all had those weeks where activity doesn’t equal progress. But this time things just clicked. Here are a few things I’m excited to share with you: 🎧 Self-Managed Organizations: A Model That Works I had a fascinating conversation with Veiko Valkiainen—leadership coach, podcast host, and one of the most thoughtful voices on self-managed organizations. These...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader A few months ago, I was talking with Ivy, a coaching client of mine who was applying for a leadership promotion. She had all the right ingredients: a great team, a strong track record, and a strategic mind. But she wasn't sure if she was ready for it. "I'm worried about playing politics," she told me. "Isn't that what it takes at the top? I just don't want to lose who I am." For many high performers, the phrase corporate politics is like nails on a chalkboard. It conjures images of...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader Let’s talk about something we’re all chasing—but few truly prepare for: Growth. Whether you’re a scrappy startup or a mature company eyeing market dominance, chances are you’re hearing some version of this at leadership meetings: “We want double-digit growth by 2025.” But after working with dozens of fast-scaling leaders, I can tell you—this kind of ambition comes with landmines. One of the CEOs I worked with told me once, “I don’t recognize people in the corridors anymore. How can...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Hi, Reader What could a startup founder and a seasoned global HR leader have in common? As it turns out, quite a lot—especially when it comes to building great teams. I recently spoke with Sebastian Gerhardt, Co-Founder & CEO Flea, and Simon Mulder, Executive Leader, Chief People Officer. Their perspectives were different, but their core lessons? Uncannily similar. Here are five no-BS leadership and teamwork lessons straight from our conversations: 1. Open Communication is the Foundation of a...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Hi, Reader Let’s talk about something we all struggle with: getting things done. We all have endless to-do lists, competing priorities, and distractions coming at us from every angle. So what’s the real secret to making progress? It’s focus. One of my clients, Jill, was all over the place. As the general manager of a struggling office, she had a lot on her plate—reviving operations, re-engaging a demotivated team, and turning the branch back into a profitable business. It was a lot. At first,...
2 months ago • 2 min read
Hi, Reader I once coached a general manager in a regional unit of a global software development company. He had big goals. "I want our unit to be Number 1 across all other units,” he told me. “I know psychological safety and well-being are important, but we just don’t have the luxury of letting our standards drop." Sound familiar?I hear this a lot from ambitious leaders. They set sky-high expectations for their teams, pushing hard for performance, engagement, and productivity. And sometimes,...
2 months ago • 2 min read