Dear Coach
Dear Coach: I’ve Lost Control of My Calendar!
What’s the Problem? Dear Coach, I’m a creative leader who has been at my company for 25 years. I have been responsible for some of the most iconic marketing campaigns in the company’s history. One would think that my seniority and success have opened the doors for me to do what I do best, even […]
Dear Coach: I’m Afraid of My Blind Spots
What’s the Problem? Dear Coach, I’m a VP at a Fortune 100 company and have always prided myself on being an empathic, inclusive leader. However, giving direct feedback has always been a challenge for me, and over the past few years, I’ve especially struggled to give feedback to women and employees of color. As a […]
Dear Coach: I Feel Out of Step
What’s the Problem? I was a Chief Marketing Officer at a global technology company, and rather than take an early retirement, I decided to devote this last lap of my career to supporting a start-up. And…whoa..it was not at all what I expected. Of course, I realized there would be many differences, but I had […]
Dear Coach: I Got Fired
What’s the Problem? Dear Coach, I can’t believe I’m writing these words, but… I got laid off. Ridiculously, I assumed I was protected because of my function, seniority, and tenure in the organization and because of the buzz and gossip I had heard swirling in the halls. I’ve been with the company for more than […]
Dear Coach: Do I Have to Take One for the Team?
What’s the Problem? Dear Coach, I have always had a plan in place for my career, and I know exactly what I’d like my next move to be, so I was thrown for a loop when the CEO of my company offered me a different role – a lateral move that will do little to […]
Dear Coach: Sometimes I Gotta “Play Favorites” to Get Things Done
What’s the Problem? Dear Coach, I’m an executive under tremendous pressure from the board to boost my organization’s revenue. Our stock is plummeting, and we’re quickly running out of wriggle room, so the pressure is on to hit our numbers—and fast. With this level of stress, I’m left with no time for the bigger-picture conversations […]
Dear Coach: Layoffs at My Company Have Me Floundering
What’s the Problem? Dear Coach, Like many others these days, my company just underwent a major restructuring, cutting almost 15% of the workforce. Rumors suggest there is more to come, and the situation feels hard on multiple levels. Not only do I no longer understand what my full body of work is, but I’m also […]
Dear Coach: Do I Beat Them or Join Them?
What’s the Problem? Dear Coach, I have a problem that I can’t seem to resolve. My workplace is very competitive and siloed. Since joining the team, I have tried to bring in a different way of working, one that is closer to my style. I’ve been transparent with my colleagues and tried to make my […]
Dear Coach: I’m Tired of Having to Prove the Value of My Work
What’s the Problem? Dear Coach, I was hired into my company to lead our newly established digital business, and I have met what feels like a lot of resistance from the beginning. I’ve been at it for about 18 months, and I find myself very frustrated that people seem not to understand what it is […]
Dear Coach: My Coworkers Aren’t Happy About My Promotion
What’s the Problem? Dear Coach, I just had a major promotion. It was competitive, with several of my peers and external candidates also vying for the role, and everyone—including myself—thought other candidates were more likely to get it. But, alas, I ended up with the job (!). I’m excited about the opportunity, but now there’s […]
Dear Coach: My Coworkers Love to Party
What’s the Problem? Dear Coach, I recently started in a senior role at a new company and participated in two separate offsites as part of my assimilation. While the offsites were very productive, I was incredibly surprised by the after-hours consumption of alcohol. I enjoy an alcoholic beverage on occasion and have no problem with […]
Dear Coach: My Feedback Isn’t Getting Through
What’s the Problem? Dear Coach, I have someone on my team who overcommunicates in all contexts. His emails and texts are too long, his presentations ramble on and on, and when he speaks, he circles around for minutes before landing on a point—if he ever does at all. He doesn’t create confidence because he doesn’t […]
Dear Coach: How Do I Figure Out My Next—and Probably Last—Move?
What’s the Problem? Dear Coach, I am a 53-year-old woman—a senior VP—and I feel like I have one more big push left for my career, but I don’t see an obvious path forward at my current company. I feel loyalty to this place that has given me so many opportunities; on the other hand, I’m […]
Dear Coach: Are My Colleagues Racist & Sexist or Am I the One Missing Something?
What’s the Problem? Dear Coach, I am a woman of color who has been climbing the ladder in corporate America for the last 20 years. When I first became a manager, a mentor told me that, given my race and gender, I need to make myself visible in every room I’m in. I should take […]
Dear Coach: Do I Fit in With the Culture?
Dear Coach, I’m someone who is driven by achieving business results, which is my reputation as well. I have deep knowledge of the industry, and I’m passionate about pushing our business to achieve our aggressive targets. I move fast and try to solve problems as quickly as possible. Last year I moved into a new […]
Dear Coach: I’m Surprised by My Team’s Negative Feedback
Dear Coach, The results of our annual organizational survey just came back from my team, and they aren’t good. Answers point to burnout, disengagement, and a sense that team members feel under-resourced. Our reputation within the organization is as a top-performing team, and that’s always been my number one aspiration: to deliver exceptional results. My […]
Dear Coach: My “Rockstar” Employee is Creating a Toxic Workplace Culture
Dear Coach, I have somebody on my team who has deep expertise in her field and is the one I can always count on to get sh*t done. She’s a very senior leader, heading the business unit responsible for close to half of the company’s revenue. She’s hardworking, and the company really needs people with […]
Dear Coach: Should I Listen to Other’s Opinions?
Dear Coach, There’s been a reorganization at my company, and I’ve been presented with an opportunity for a new role; however, the manager is someone who has a reputation for being difficult to work with—demanding, micromanaging, and really hard-driving. Everyone I talk to has cautioned me about working for her, whether directly or indirectly. All […]
Dear Coach: Should I Walk Away from My Family Business?
Dear Coach, My family has been running a business for 100 years. My grandfather started it, and each generation has taken the mantle. For the last 15 years, I’ve been president & CEO. Last year, we got bought by a large company, and now I report to the CEO of the parent company—and let’s just say, […]
Dear Coach: I Think I Stepped In It
Dear Coach, I’m a 50-year-old man, currently Vice President of Sales at a company where I’ve worked for 25 years with consistently excellent feedback—zero complaints or problems on my record. Now, however, I find myself in a world of trouble and completely unsure how to handle it. I recently hired a terrific account manager for […]
Dear Coach: A Bad Manager Is Threatening My Dream Job
Dear Coach, After paying my dues for many years while growing the requisite skills for my dream job, I finally got promoted into a role that felt like a perfect fit. In addition to it being a great role with opportunities for a significant amount of visibility, I was working for a super-sharp leader who […]
Dear Coach: My Anger Is Rising and I’m Finding it Hard to Do My Job
Dear Coach, I am a senior leader in a large, successful company that’s well-known and well-regarded; our CEO was recently voted one of the top 10 CEOs in our industry. Yet nobody would believe how much inefficiency and ineptitude abound here. We’re affected by the same headwinds that others are feeling, and consequently, in the […]
Dear Coach: People Can’t Connect With Me
Dear Coach, I’ve climbed the ladder to a position of top expertise in the male-dominated tech field, and to get here I’ve had to keep my head down, keep driving, and not take sh*t from anyone. My “tough girl” attitude has taken me far for many years, but since my promotion last year I keep getting […]
Dear Coach: I Can’t Stop Rambling
What’s the Problem? Dear Coach, I’ve gotten feedback from my managers that I take too long to get to the point; I tend to ramble and, therefore, often lose my audience. I know that when I’m under pressure or stress, I can talk too much but I’m not sure what to do to change that. […]
Dear Coach: How Do I Not Tank with Senior Leaders?
What’s the Problem? Dear Coach, I am a great presenter and communicator with my peers and direct reports, but I tank whenever I get in front of senior leaders. Obviously, these types of presentations are incredibly important, and I can’t quite pinpoint if it’s nerves, situational, or a more deeply rooted issue. How do I […]
Dear Coach: How Do I Make My Career A Priority In The Face of Daily Demands?
What’s the Problem? Dear Coach – I am a Senior Director in a large company, and until now my career has progressed quite naturally, always being tapped for my next role up the ladder. However, I’ve now been in the same position for a few years, and that natural progression has stalled. I know I […]
Dear Coach: How Do I Set Communication Boundaries With My Boss?
What’s the Problem? Dear Coach – I have a new boss who prides himself on needing only three hours of sleep. Because of this, I often get texts and emails after 9:00 pm, and then wake up at 5:00 am to an inbox already full of messages. He reassures me that he’s just getting his […]
Dear Coach: I’m Being Pigeonholed
What’s the Problem? Dear Coach, I’m someone who is often ready and willing to call out the “undiscussables”—the topics and problems that no one else wants to talk about, like the proverbial elephant in the room. I’m good at confronting what others ignore, and while this is one of my superpowers, I don’t want to […]
Dear Coach: Should I Confront My Peer?
What’s the Problem? Dear Coach – My peer’s direct reports frequently approach me for guidance on dealing with her sometimes harsh and critical behavior. They’ve tried bringing it up with her directly but consistently get shut down. She’s a close colleague of mine and we have a long history of collaboration. However, she can get […]
Dear Coach: How Can I Affect Change?
What’s the Problem? Dear Coach – I was brought into my role to create change for my organization but when I try, I get pushback. I’m told, in not so many words, “That’s not how we do things here,” or “You should probably take it slower.” How can I affect any meaningful change if I’m getting stopped […]
Reflection Fridays
Reflection Friday: How Your Morning Affects Your Night
We work with uber-busy people. And something we frequently hear are complaints about end-of-day habits–too much Netflix or wine, staying up too late, being caught on email all evening, late-night snacking, or just not spending enough time with their loved ones. They always resolve to do better–go to bed earlier, drink less wine, spend more […]
Reflection Friday: Be Careful What You Wish For
Oscar Wilde once said there are two tragedies in life: not getting what you want and getting everything you want. The latter, he believes, is much worse. We strive for things, work hard at things, and wish for things—then, once we get them, we feel fearful and overwhelmed by what’s in front of us. It’s […]
Reflection Friday: Managing Bad News
Picture this: You’re going about your morning, checking things off your to-do list, in and out of meetings, and moving through your day with relative ease. Then, something happens that knocks you off your center—perhaps an email complaint, bad news about the business, a family crisis, health issue, conflict with a colleague. It often doesn’t […]
Reflection Friday: Your Personal Resources
We all only have three things: time, energy, and focus. And how we allocate those three things determines the outcome of everything important to us. All too often, however, we drift. We stop making intentional choices on how we allocate these most precious and non-renewable resources, and it messes with the balance of our personal […]
Reflection Friday: Embracing Fear
Picture this: you have a great idea for a new project at work, but it’s super bold, a little risky, and you’ve never done anything at this scale before. You know it could be amazingly successful, but you’re afraid even to pitch it to your boss, let alone put it into action; you’re feeling fearful, […]
Reflection Friday: Avoiding Unfinished Business
While we specialize in leadership development, today we are unpacking something a bit different—death, grief, and unfinished business. And while it may seem odd, many of the learnings here apply to all relationships, even business ones. Death, and therefore grief, is an inevitable part of the circle of life. And yet, even though we know […]
Reflection Friday: Falling into the Expectation-Experience Gap
Spring is finally in full swing, with longer days and new life bursting through. Although… if you’re like a lot of us, the bright and shiny ambition you felt in January may be starting to fade. Perhaps you feel like your goals—whether personal or professional—are only 50-70% to where you thought they’d be by now, […]
Reflection Friday: Unintentional Gossip
Imagine this scenario: You’re a manager, and you’re wanting to help a direct report with a conflict he has with another colleague. You listen to him vent about the other person, trying to let him “blow off steam.” He continues venting to you for several weeks, as the situation remains unchanged. One day, the colleague […]
Reflection Friday: Imposter Syndrome or Just Evolving?
We frequently hear senior women mention imposter syndrome—and not just senior women, but senior senior women, women at the very top of their game. A recent study by KPMG found this to be true: 75% of executive women report having personally experienced imposter syndrome at certain points in their career. Imposter syndrome is the internal […]
Reflection Friday: When Things Don’t Change
We devote a lot of time to trying to change, and this time of year, it’s at an all-time high. While we’re certainly advocates of personal transformation, the reality is that certain things (many things!) don’t change easily—sometimes, it even feels like not at all. Things cycle, we cycle, and just when you think you’ve […]
Reflection Friday: Finding Purpose in the Day-to-Day
Life often feels like we’re just swimming in the shallows—moving from one thing to the next based on obligations or habits. You might find yourself in meetings or in conversations with people thinking to yourself, “Why am I here?” Here’s the answer: you’re there because you’re letting yourself be just another noodle in the noodle […]
Reflection Friday: The Value of Community
James Clear, an author and habit expert, likes to talk about how context affects our daily habits. He says that people who have more willpower are in environments that tempt them less. If keeping to your good habits (or avoiding bad ones) means constantly fighting against friction in your environment, you’re losing energy that could […]
Reflection Friday: “Overfunctioning”
If you’re a leader and a hard worker, your work is likely all gas and no breaks—you’re moving on all cylinders all the time and left with little time to breathe. Your goal: get it done. And your tendency might be to jump in and do the job even when it isn’t yours, time and […]
Reflection Friday: Bettering Others
There’s a lot of focus on self-improvement—leadership development at work, self-care outside of work, healthier eating and exercise habits, and the list goes on! Of course, we support and encourage this! But today, we want to shift the focus from ourselves to others. Even if we have not fulfilled our goals for ourselves, we still […]
Reflection Friday: How Does Your Garden Grow?
It’s that time of year—crops are nearly ready to be harvested, farmer’s markets are overflowing, weeds are taking over, and the yellow and orange hues of autumn will soon be upon us. This moment on the calendar always makes us think about growth; specifically, what goes into growth? What factors support our personal and […]
Reflection Friday: Relinquishing Control
We’re living in such a time of complexity and volatility. Each week we’re met with a new crisis—one after another—and this disruption is, sadly, the new normal. The result? We’re so used to it, that we often don’t realize the cost to our bodies and well-being. In many corporate environments, this is only amplified by […]
Reflection Friday: Are You Creating a Psychologically Safe Space?
There’s a social cost to speaking up. Will I be listened to seriously or mocked? Will my ideas be considered or dismissed? Will I fit in or sound like an oddball? From the playground to the workplace, this calculation is one we have constantly made, and continue to make, in every setting and with […]
Reflection Friday: Navigating Loss & Resilience
Like many of you, we’re feeling distraught by the news of the Russian invasion into Ukraine—yet also, moved and inspired by the acts of courage and resistance by people on both sides. Some of us may have already experienced war or other catastrophes in our lifetimes, or perhaps your parents or grandparents did. Others are […]
Reflection Friday: Remaking Yourself
It’s unlikely most of us imagined we’d still be in full-on pandemic mode at the start of 2022. Nearly two years have passed since those first fateful days and even though it feels like we’ve been on the same treadmill forever, who you were at the beginning of the pandemic is surely not who you […]
Reflection Friday: Are You Languishing, and What Can You Do About It?
As we head into the last few laps of the year, many of us might be realizing we’re just not where we hoped we’d be. Perhaps we thought the pandemic would be in the rear-view window. Maybe we thought we’d be back in the office, or hosting big holiday gatherings, or sending kids to school […]
Reflection Friday: Making Your Leadership Style Work for Others
Knowing your leadership style is important for your development as a leader. It not only helps you identify your strengths but is also valuable for understanding differences across your team. In turn, this helps you lean into those differences and navigate strong teamwork and approaches to working with others. While it’s great to identify your […]
Reflection Friday: Finding Your Purpose
Today we’re reflecting on something that is essential to your leadership: purpose. Your purpose is your north star that informs your decisions, so without clearly identifying yours, you might feel like you’re floundering in your role. But first, let’s clarify: a purpose is not a goal. A woman we coached once stated her purpose was […]
Reflection Friday: Embrace the Old as You Push For the New
A while back we coached a leader who had pitched a radical new marketing angle to the company’s senior leadership team – an angle that spoke directly to millennials. Most everyone loved it, except for two of the older, more senior members who felt it was antithetical to their brand. They didn’t see the value, didn’t […]
Reflection Friday: Getting to the Outside of Conflict
On this Reflection Friday, we’re focusing on reflecting specifically when faced with conflict. This can be a challenging time to pause and reflect, when tensions are running high and your guard is up – but that’s usually all the more reason to encourage a moment of rumination. This post from Daily Stoic – one of […]
Reflection Friday: Being in the Right Room
We love this quote from James Clear’s “3-2-1 Thursday” newsletter: “It’s usually more important to be in the right room than to be the smartest person in the room. A person with great judgement and average intelligence will usually beat someone with great intelligence and average judgment. Judgment is knowing what room to be in.” […]
Reflection Friday: April Edition
Reflection is an essential ingredient for growth, whether personal or professional, and it’s a key component of the Power² Leaderlab programs. That’s why we’re excited to start a new monthly feature here called Reflection Fridays, at the suggestion of one of our brilliant graduates. We always say, “experience is the best teacher,” but only if […]
Articles
The Key To Delivering Critical Feedback
Of all the least-loved tasks of a leader, delivering critical feedback is right up there at the top. Many leaders ask us: Can I say that? Should I really say that? How can I deliver this feedback in a way that will have the impact I intend? Will it get results? And our answer is […]
The Secret to Long Term Success
The first time I saw Bonnie Raitt in concert was in 1973. It wasn’t until 1990–nearly 20 years into her career–that she won her first Grammy for Nick of Time. Bonnie Raitt epitomizes the Blues. But she’s also the epitome of perseverance. Bonnie Raitt worked her craft and doggedly pursued what she loved without reward […]
How to Overcome Job Interview Jitters
It’s the morning of a big job interview, a role you badly want. You start the day feeling good and arrive early to wait in the lobby. Some jitters sneak in, but you feel confident you’re the right person for the job–until you sit before the panel of interviewers and make eye contact with the […]
Leaders As Lifelong Learners: Are You Ready?
Every year companies spend approximately $366 billion dollars on leadership development, but when leaders aren’t in the right mindset and ready to learn, those dollars are wasted. The fact is, even when time is set aside for development, leaders are distracted, pressured, and overcommitted. The mindset for reflection and growth just isn’t there. No matter […]
Find the Power to Lead
When I was six, my best friend had been mean to me for no apparent reason. I came home from school crying, the injustice of her behavior leaving me hurt and confused. My mother comforted me and suggested that perhaps my friend might be jealous. I stopped crying long enough to contemplate this. Why would […]
How Women Can Get Comfortable “Playing Politics” at Work
Women are averse to playing office politics, even though it’s one of the ways we close the leadership gender gap and strengthen our organizations. Our article in Harvard Business Review explores women’s limiting beliefs about politics and identifies valuable mindset shifts they can make to use political skills to their advantage. Read the full piece […]