Here are a few ideas we explored together this year.

I work with senior leaders across a wide range of sectors, and there’s one challenge almost all of them quietly struggle with, but rarely admit out loud: the higher you rise, the less candid feedback you receive.

Most organizations now give everyone access to each other’s calendars. It’s efficient in theory, but in practice, it can be highly dysfunctional, because it allows anyone to drop something onto your day without your input.

Unresolved conflict within your team or company is uncomfortable and costly. In fact, it’s the number one cost for organizations, outweighing market conditions or competition. If left unaddressed, conflict leads to productivity dips, absenteeism, staff turnover, diminished employee wellness, and even legal action.

How can you maintain peak performance into the fall? If you’re a regular reader of my newsletter, you’ll know that I’m a big believer in energy management. 

Let’s look at some standard energy zappers and the solutions to overcome them. 

In my opinion, one-on-one meetings are the backbone of organizational relationships. They help staff stay connected to their role, to the organization, and their manager.

These meetings don’t have to be long, but they are essential, and they need to happen consistently. When employees feel heard and valued, it fosters trust and loyalty, and enhances employee performance and well-being.

I am always surprised by the number of leaders who don’t take vacations. This tendency appears to be most prevalent among mid- to upper-level managers who are still seeking to establish their credibility.

 Regular counselling helps leaders maintain their mental health, sharpen their leadership capabilities, and achieve sustainable success in their roles.

Over the years, I’ve noticed a trend among the best leaders I work with: A deep commitment to staying fit.

Yet many of them assume that committing to regular exercise only benefits their personal health and well-being. Many don’t realize that those regular workouts also boost their professional performance. Staying fit doesn’t just benefit the body; it also sharpens the mind.

Meetings are essential for communicating with your team. The time spent together allows them to ask questions, contribute ideas, brainstorm, problem-solve, team-build and be on the same page.
However, some meetings are unnecessary or poorly managed, leaving attendees feeling that their time could have been better spent doing other work.

When employees feel recognized, heard, and appreciated, their performance improves. They become more engaged, more motivated, and more loyal. It starts with simple conversations.

 Asking employees about their job duties, learning goals, frustrations, and career aspirations benefits both the individual and the organization.

here are 10 practical strategies leaders can adopt during their workday to better manage energy and well-being:

I want to re-share my list of tips and strategies that have worked for me over the years. I shared this list in last December’s newsletter and added a new bonus tip on kindness for 2025!   

My commitment this holiday season is to say yes to a few more things and be present, enjoying connecting with new folks and old friends and finding ways to spread and experience joy.

Recently, I worked with a client who needed to build a team from scratch—an intimidating task, but she quickly assembled a stellar group. Her approach? She prioritized people she genuinely liked and believed would connect well with the team. 

Top performers across various fields invest in private coaching to gain an edge, hone skills and grow. So why don’t more business leaders get executive coaching to achieve long-term success?

Happy employees are more productive. That’s a fact, according to Forbes and Oxford studies that concluded that happy employees outperform their gloomier counterparts by up to 20%.

What if you experimented during your summer vacation with creating new daily habits and rituals that you could bring back to the workplace to enhance your well-being and productivity all year?

As a leader, you can create and nurture your organization’s culture.

I like the quote, “Your company culture is not words on your website or posters on the wall. It’s how your people feel on a Sunday night.”

Transparent leaders build thriving, creative organizations that retain star employees and attract new talent. By sharing information, you empower your team. Here are some reasons why well-informed teams are primed for success.