Ever work with a difficult peer? The kind of coworker who, no matter what you do, is never on the same page and seems to actively work against you at every turn? They always seem to have inflated credibility too, right? It’s human nature to try to avoid, diminish, or even counter-attack people we find…
Today I’m not writing about a client’s story or a general leadership principle. I’m sharing a personal experience that caught me by surprise. It took me some time to realize what was going on, and it turned out to be an emotional intelligence lesson. Heading into May, I noticed I wasn’t quite myself. I was…
Which comes first, driving for results or building relationships? Feel like a trick question? It is. If you’re an executive or senior leader who knows for sure results come first, congratulations! You are in the majority. And I’m sorry to be the one to tell you – you have it backwards. According to Gallup’s 2025 State of…
Uncertainty can be scary. Whether you are in the leadership seat or a team member, navigating without clarity brings out unproductive behavior. Research from the American Psychological Association shows that uncertainty at work negatively impacts mental health, job satisfaction, and performance, while additional studies link uncertainty directly to emotional exhaustion and negative organizational outcomes. Worry, fear, short…
Feeling overwhelmed by year-end demands? Being present may be the gift you need most right now.
Have you ever had to work with a leader who has a perpetually bad attitude? I have, and it negatively impacted my perspective of the company, my stress level, and my results. A leader’s attitude sets the tone for decisions, team dynamics, and performance. When a bad attitude is ignored – your own or someone…
One of the most extraordinary leaders I’ve worked for was my boss of nearly 20 years ago, Ed. He was smart, no-nonsense, with a dry, witty humor that surfaced at just the right moments. To some, he was intimidating—but as his direct report, I found him approachable and deeply thoughtful. Ed was an extraordinarily good…
Authored by Karen Pelot, Edited by Becca Whipple Attitude is Everything Have you ever worked with a leader who makes difficult things feel easy? What about a leader who made everything feel more difficult? Juxtapose those two. If you could choose, which would you spend time working with? Years ago, I was working with a…
Author: Karen Pelot, Edited by Becca Whipple Why do conflict styles matter? Did you know your go-to leadership conflict style could be costing you in your working relationships and results? As a leader, the opportunity for conflict is embedded in nearly everything you do: feedback, prioritization, boundary-setting, change management, and the list goes on. Leaders…
As an executive coach, I’m often brought in to work with leadership teams when they need successful change. Regardless of the nexus, I’ve learned the real change needed – the one that will make the change stick – is usually tied to the organizational culture. Candidly, culture shifting is not easy, but leaning on the…
How Leaders Lose Their Edge — and How to Get It Back When was the last time you did something professionally that felt like a stretch? Looking back, did it help you grow? It’s an important question for leaders, especially in today’s ever-evolving landscape. Maybe there was a time when innovation, agility, and adaptability were…
Leadership Hats… More Than KPIs. Think about your favorite boss for a minute. What made that leader so effective? Chances are, it wasn’t just their strategy and ability to hit KPIs. More likely, it was how they showed up for you. As leaders, we have the privilege of playing pivotal roles in helping to shape…