We’re awash in complaints about toxic workplaces and toxic bosses. Some of it is legitimate. Much of it is an alibi. There are lousy leaders, weak culture, and real harassment. But toxic has become the universal excuse for people who don’t want to confront their own performance, courage, or contribution. When everyone shouts “toxic”, the […]
The pendulum has swung too far. We’ve gone from tolerating abusive leaders to tolerating fragile employees—and we’re calling both “toxic.” Of course there are genuinely toxic workplaces. But today, anyone who sets expectations, standards, and accountability risks being labeled “harmful.” Feeling uncomfortable has become the trump card for mediocrity. Here’s the line no one wants […]
Corporate DEI has become a Broadway show: big opening, great lighting, no lasting impact. We get the full production: Polished statements and branded “initiatives” Town halls, listening sessions, mandatory training Carefully curated images on the website Yet in many organizations: Decision‑making still happens in the same small circle The best ideas still struggle to surface […]
Crises aren’t endpoints; they’re stress tests that make us stronger. Too often I see clients freeze during times of crisis. Whether it’s the market or the broader economy, instead of asking, “How can we thrive?” they ask, “How can we survive?” You cannot do more with less, but many try in a crisis because it […]
Small businesses are the lifeblood of our local economies. But they don’t thrive in a vacuum. From March 2023 through March 2024: Small businesses created about 1.2 million net new jobs That was 88.9% of all net new jobs in the United States Over the last decade, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that small businesses: Employed roughly 46% […]
Most people handle adversity exactly backwards. They generalize the negative (“I lost this sale, I must be terrible at marketing”) and isolate the positive (“I won that deal, but I probably got lucky”). That’s a perfect recipe for a permanent crisis of confidence. Try this instead: Generalize the positives. When you make a sale, treat it as evidence that […]