See! I Told You So! (And Other Ways Confirmation Bias Can Trip You Up)
Have you ever caught yourself saying those words — even just in your head? See? I knew it. I was right all along. There is something deeply satisfying about being right. And that satisfaction is exactly what makes confirmation bias so tricky to spot, especially when you are the one in charge. What Is Confirmation […]
The Danger of Dismissing Feedback
Not long ago, I was brought in to work with an executive who had a problem he couldn’t see clearly, though everyone around him could. I almost declined. When coaching is assigned rather than chosen, resistance usually follows, and resistance rarely leads to real change. This individual, though, understood something important: doing the work wasn’t […]
Did You Do Your Best? How One Question Can Reframe Regret and Build Resilience
When we were kids, the adults around us often asked, “Did you do your best?” As children, the question was simple: Did you try your hardest? As adults, though, I think we underestimate the power of that question for ourselves because the answer has grown more layered. Doing your best now takes into account not […]
What’s Going to Get in Your Way? How to Spot Obstacles Before They Stop You
You have a clear, compelling vision. You know exactly where you’re headed. So why aren’t you there yet? Here’s what most ambitious professionals miss: a vision, on its own, isn’t enough. Neither is willpower. The moment you get clear about what you want, obstacles appear…almost as if on cue. Clarity of intention doesn’t clear your […]
The Duck Paddling Syndrome: When Success Looks Seamless But Feels Exhausting
So many of the professionals I work with make every effort to make their success look seamless. The problem is, in reality, they are like the duck: frantically paddling away to make it all work. Another way to think about it is the circus performer who is running from pole to pole trying to keep […]
When Success Stops Feeling Like Success
You’ve done everything right. The promotions came. The salary increased. Your LinkedIn profile looks impressive. And yet there’s this quiet, persistent feeling that something’s off. That you’re running hard but not toward anything that truly matters to you. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Most of us were handed a definition of ambition early […]
Are You Living a Life Aligned with Your Values? Here’s How to Find Out
I often hear from leaders who feel frustrated, stuck, or stretched too thin — only to discover the real issue isn’t workload or circumstance, but a misalignment between how they’re living and what they truly value. Sometimes, they don’t even realize it. And many believe there’s nothing they can do. Take Cameron, for example. When […]
Why Moving the Finish Line May Be Holding You Back
Have you ever worked hard toward a big goal — only to immediately set your sights on the next one without pausing to celebrate? You’re not alone. In my From SORE to SOAR program, participants reach out to people who know them well and ask two questions: What is one superpower of mine that you think I […]
The Gap Between Where You Are and Where You Want to Be
I was talking with a client last week — let’s call her Sarah — who’s been stuck in the same role for three years. She’s incredibly talented, gets great reviews, and has a crystal-clear vision of where she wants to go next. She can tell you exactly what VP role she’s targeting and why it […]
Midyear Momentum: 4 Smart Ways to Use the Summer ‘Slowdown’ Strategically
If you’re like many of the leaders I have spoken with recently, your calendar for the next 6 weeks is a bit lighter than usual. July and early August often bring a rare gift in leadership: fewer meetings, slower inbox traffic, and a bit of breathing room. Several leaders I’ve spoken with have used this […]
