Why Blog About Leadership? As the executive director of a small nonprofit agency for over 21 years, I came to realize that three things are true. ·         You can't have friends at work. ·         You are responsible for everything that happens. Every. Single. Thing. ·         It's lonely at the top! ​About midway through my career, this realization prompted me to begin the task of writing down an endless collection of stressful, frustrating, hilarious and sometimes mind-bog

As the new year begins, I find myself reflecting on a journal entry from years past - a moment when I questioned my decision to step into leadership. That day was a vivid reminder that leadership is a constant journey filled with both triumphs and trials. Leaders are called to wear many hats, and each day brings a unique set of challenges. Sometimes the victories shine brighter than the setbacks, and other times, the scales tip the other way. On that particular day, the morni

As new executive director who suffered through a long six months of the former director staying on as a consultant to “help” with the transition, my advice is--don’t let it last long--if you need to let it happen at all. You may live to regret it! The transition of leadership within an organization can be challenging, and while retaining the previous leader for a transitional period can be beneficial, extending this period too long can hinder the new leader's ability to estab

At first it may seem irritating or even somewhat amusing when an employee starts exhibiting behaviors that are out of the norm - but recognizing that these changes in performance could be a sign of something more serious is vital to their well-being and the productivity of the team. If you suspect that a staff person is struggling with their mental health or nearing the edge of sanity, here are some signs to watch out for: 1. Consistent Tardiness: Chronic lateness, despite wa

Receiving a promotion at work is a goal for many high performers but one must recognize that promotions bring more than just higher salaries, they can pose major challenges when those around you maintain their positions as you work your way to the top. Moving from intern to manager and then to executive director proved to be quite a challenging endeavor. A former superior who never liked me in the first place liked me even less when I became her boss. She wanted me fired and

Why you must now be a model citizen. You would think that once you become the boss, life at work might get a little easier for you – NOT. In fact, it’s just the opposite, at least in my experience. Come in a minute late? Take an extra five minutes at lunch? You had better believe staff will notice. Taking personal calls all day long is okay for the inhabitants of the cubicles next door, but don’t you do it – you’ll be the talk of the office. I find myself coming in early and