Unclog the Drain
There’s a particular kind of disgust that comes from cleaning out a bathroom drain, which I had the pleasure of experiencing this weekend. I have two teenage daughters with long, curly hair. Despite new drain stoppers and persistent fussing, the drains still clog. Every few months, water backs up. Drano wasn’t cutting it anymore. Wading […]
I’m Done
If your people aren’t saying it out loud, they might be thinking it. Here’s what to do before disengagement spreads. How many times have you heard it lately, either out loud or in a colleague’s silence? “I’m done”. It’s not always a dramatic declaration. It’s the quiet resignation behind the camera-off meetings, the missed deadlines, […]
What I Got Wrong as A New Manager
I still remember my first management role. I had just been promoted after doing a great job as an individual contributor. And I did what a lot of people do when they step into leadership for the first time. I overcorrected. For me, that meant becoming hyper-professional. No personal stories. No small talk. No real […]
Knowing When It’s Time: Leadership, Liberation, and Life-Changing Decisions
June is my liberation month. It holds my birthday, Juneteenth, and the anniversary of one of the most pivotal decisions I’ve ever made. Three years ago, I sat on a quiet set of steps and said something aloud that I had been holding for far too long. I didn’t know exactly what would happen next. […]
Are You Being Too Nice at Work?
We all want to be kind colleagues. But sometimes our commitment to being “nice” keeps us from being honest. We avoid giving feedback, delay addressing harmful behavior, or smile through discomfort. And in the process, the problem festers and trust erodes. What looks like harmony on the outside is often resentment underneath. Here’s the truth: […]