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You’ve probably been praised for being resilient. The one who can handle anything. But resilience alone doesn’t build momentum. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re thriving or simply surviving in your career, this question matters more than most: Is the leadership around you helping you grow or just relying on you to endure? In this week’s tip sheet, I break down what to look for in leadership environments that actually support growth and how to rebrand yourself by alig

“You should…” “If I were you…” “When are you going to…?” Unsolicited advice has a way of landing harder than it should. Not because it’s always wrong, but because it often crosses an invisible line. With holiday gatherings and Christmas just two days away, I wrote a short piece on how to navigate these moments without overreacting, over-explaining, or damaging the relationship.

“I think I have a condition.” That’s how one accomplished leader described her fear of presenting. What she actually had was a belief problem, not a diagnosis. Here’s how to reframe the fear of public speaking and lead the room with confidence. Read the full post →

“Got a Minute?” has quietly turned into a 45-minute therapy session for too many leaders. You walk in ready to talk strategy and performance, and walk out carrying everyone’s childhood wounds and workplace pain. In this tip sheet, Stephanie shows you how to say “I’m not your therapist” with gravitas and grace, while still being the leader people trust.

AI can analyze patterns, but it cannot read the room — and that’s where most leaders lose influence without realizing it. There’s one mistake people make in high-stakes meetings that instantly weakens their impact. This short read breaks it down, and once you see it, you won’t unsee it.

Leaders tell me all the time that “speaking up and voicing the truth that others hesitate to say” is the hardest thing to do. They’re not struggling with honesty. They’re struggling with risk management, emotion management, and power dynamics all at once. This is where gravitas is really tested. Not in a keynote, not in a town hall, but in that one quiet conversation where you tell someone above you that they are wrong, off, or becoming part of the problem.

Starting a new position should feel exciting, but for many leaders, it comes with quiet pressure. You want to make a strong impression, build trust quickly, and show the organization they made the right choice, all while navigating expectations you’re still discovering. Your Ideal Onboarding Plan breaks down the communication moves that make those early days easier. Here’s a 30–60–90 day framework to keep you focused and confident in your new role.

Have you ever wondered why some conversations create momentum while others stall? The answer often comes down to influence. Not pressure, not authority, but the subtle incentives that guide how people behave. Today's tip sheet breaks down three surprising lessons from The 48 Laws of Power that every modern leader should know. They will shift how you communicate, how you motivate, and how you build trust inside your team.

What if you’ve been rewarding the wrong things all year? Every leader talks about goals, but it’s what you reward that tells your team who you really are. When you praise speed, people rush. When you praise heroics, people wait for emergencies. When you praise curiosity, people start solving deeper problems. Learn how to make those incentives work for you, not against your culture. Read today’s Speak by Design Tip Sheet: “Incentivizing Behaviors: The Hidden Power of M

“I just don’t want this meeting to blow up,” a senior executive once told me. Most leaders try to avoid conflict. The great ones learn to expect it, and even invite it. Avoiding discomfort might feel safe but it costs you credibility, creativity, and connection. In this blog post, we explore how to reframe those tense moments as important conversations that move relationships and results forward.

Most leaders think their best work happens when everyone agrees. But real progress begins the moment someone disagrees, and you stay calm enough to listen. This article explores how increasing conflict tolerance strengthens trust, speeds up decisions, and helps teams work through tension instead of around it.

The best leaders don’t say “I’m sorry” as often as you think. Learn when an apology strengthens trust, and when it quietly undermines your authority. This is the foundation of increasing conflict tolerance: staying steady when tension rises instead of rushing to smooth it over.

Few leaders balance authority and approachability as naturally as Lara Hodgson. Her communication style blends energy, structure, and authenticity, skills every speaker can master. This week, we’re featuring Lara Hodgson in our Best Public Speakers series. See what makes her presence so memorable.

It only takes senior leaders seconds to decide whether your message matters. Learn the 90-second strategy that gets their attention - and their approval - fast.

Some leaders change companies. Others change how we think about people. Laszlo Bock, former Google CHRO and now Co-Founder of Gretel.ai, is redefining what it means to lead with both innovation and humanity.

Build a Voice You Actually Like: The 7-Minute Vocal Warm-Up That Changes Everything. In just minutes a day, posture, breath, resonance, articulation, and confidence drills can transform your tone, clarity, and authority—helping you show up with more control, confidence, and presence.

We included Larry Fink on our Best Speakers list because he is one of the most powerful and influential leaders in the world. His journey, from a career-defining loss to building the world’s largest asset management firm, is a masterclass in resilience and vision.

What are the Communications Skills Every Professional should MASTER for Career Growth? To stand out, you must learn to communicate in a way that inspires action, sparks emotion, and creates lasting impact. Creativity is the answer.

Every team develops a tone over time. It’s shaped by what gets celebrated, how meetings feel, and how people respond when things go wrong. That tone is culture. And communication is what shapes it. Every single day. You need Creative Communications.

Most teams aren’t struggling because they lack information. They’re struggling because they’re uninspired by how it’s communicated. In 2025, the best leaders won’t just be clear. They’ll be compelling. Here are 7 Creative Communications techniques you can start using right away to lead with greater impact.