Have you ever sat in your desk chair, looked over at the nameplate on your door, and thought, "Any minute now, they're going to realize they've made a terrible mistake hiring me"?
If so, welcome to the not-so-exclusive club of successful leaders battling imposter syndrome. Trust me, I’ve spent more nights than I care to admit staring at the ceiling, wondering when everyone would figure out I was making it up as I went along. That nagging voice with all the lies—"You don't belong here"—doesn't discriminate. It whispers to new managers and seasoned executives alike, including yours truly and pretty much every accomplished leader I've worked with over the past two decades.
I still remember taking over as Education Division Chief in 2018 as if it were yesterday. I was suddenly responsible for a team spread across the entire state of Arkansas—a place I barely knew. Every morning, I'd walk into the office juggling impossible tasks: learning an unfamiliar culture, finding my way around the building, memorizing dozens of names, and somehow projecting confidence about a job I was still figuring out. Talk about feeling like the imposter in the corner office!
Each evening, I'd drive home with The Fray's Over My Head (Cable Car) blasting through my car speakers—the song isn't about leadership, but the lyrics Everyone knows I'm in over my head, over my head... became my personal anthem. 🎵
What kept me going? A simple daily practice. During that same drive home, I'd force myself to mentally list everything I'd done that day to help my team succeed—even the smallest wins. "I connected Kelly with a resource she needed." "I cleared that administrative roadblock for Grant." "I gave useful feedback that helped improve that presentation."
This little ritual didn't magically cure my imposter feelings, but it did something powerful: it shifted my focus from what I didn't know to the actual value I was bringing, even while feeling completely out of my depth.
The Real Cost of Feeling Like a Fraud
According to Harvard Business Review, imposter syndrome can sabotage your leadership in several critical ways:
- It erodes your self-confidence. Despite your accomplishments, you struggle to internalize success, creating a cycle of self-doubt and hesitation.
- It cranks up your anxiety. The constant fear of being "found out" creates unnecessary pressure and fast-tracks you to burnout.
- It kills your ability to be innovative. When you're terrified of making mistakes, you stick to safe, conventional approaches rather than taking calculated risks.
- It undermines your presence. Your feelings of uncertainty leak into how you interact with others, making you appear less decisive and authentic.
- It clouds or slows your decision-making. When you're second-guessing yourself constantly, making clear, confident, timely decisions becomes nearly impossible.
This Week's Leadership Code Word: AUTHENTIC
Being an authentic leader doesn't mean you have all the answers—it means being honest about what you know and don't know, and confident in your ability to figure things out. When you drop the exhausting fraud act and lead with transparency, you not only feel better, you actually become more effective and trustworthy in the eyes of your team.
Unlock Your Authenticity: Start These Strategies Today
Recent insights from the Forbes Business Council confirm what we've all experienced—imposter syndrome is universal in leadership, but conquerable.
The secret that transformed my own leadership journey? Embracing authenticity. When I stopped worrying about how to be the "perfect leader" and started showing up as my real self—someone with both strengths and growth areas—something remarkable happened. I slept better. And, my team trusted me more, not less. They felt permission to be authentic, too, creating a culture where real innovation could happen.
Authenticity doesn't mean oversharing or abandoning professionalism. It means acknowledging when you don't have all the answers, being transparent about challenges, and demonstrating genuine curiosity about solutions. It's sharing credit generously while taking full responsibility. It's leading from a place of truth rather than pretense.
Here's your path to more authentic and less imposter-y leadership starting today:
📝 Document your wins daily. Create a "Leadership Wins" folder where you record accomplishments and positive feedback. As leadership expert Egor Kirin notes, "When you define the benefits you bring, there will be no room left for doubts." List three leadership actions you took this week that made a positive difference.
👥 Activate your support squad. Identify two people this week who can become your "reality checkers"—peers or mentors who understand leadership challenges. Schedule a coffee with one of them and be brave enough to share your imposter feelings. I think you will be relieved to find that nearly everyone you talk to will resonate with your experience.
🔑 Join forces with other leaders. Don't battle imposter syndrome alone! Leaders who invest in coaching and training programs with built-in communities overcome self-doubt faster. When you hear peers confess the same fears you've been hiding, that "I don't belong" feeling starts to dissolve, replaced by practical strategies that actually work.
The next time imposter syndrome creeps in (and it will), practice this 3-step process:
- Recognize: "I notice that I'm having deceptive thoughts that are causing me to feel like I don't belong in this role."
- Challenge: "Despite feeling uncertain right now, I know this isn't true because I've successfully led my team through [specific accomplishment]."
- Reframe: "This discomfort is normal, and it means I'm becoming a stronger leader."
And if all else fails, take comfort in leadership researcher and neuroscience expert Dr. David Lenihan's advice: "Keep going. Eventually, that persistent feeling of guilt, uncertainty, and insecurity that follows you around will gradually fade away." Sometimes, leadership is simply about staying in the game long enough for your confidence to catch up with your capabilities.
The most dangerous imposters aren't the leaders who occasionally doubt themselves—they're the ones who never do. A healthy dose of humility combined with earned confidence is the sweet spot of authentic leadership.
P.S. If you know a colleague who might be silently battling imposter syndrome, forward this article their way. Sometimes knowing we're not alone in these feelings is the first key to overcoming them. 🔑
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Have you ever had a moment when an employee breaks down in tears during a meeting, and suddenly you're the proverbial deer caught in their emotional headlights?
I'll never forget when one of my toughest team members—a retired SWAT officer built like a brick wall—collapsed into tears in my office after losing his beloved dog. For a split second, I panicked. Should I look away? Offer a tissue? Pretend it wasn't happening? And then I remembered that all I needed to do was be there. And really listen while he shared his heartache. Because in tragic moments like these, we all need someone to listen and care that we are hurting inside, right?
Times like these are a great reminder that being human isn't a leadership weakness—it's our greatest superpower.
The Truth About Bad Days
Let's get one thing straight: humans have bad days. All of us. It’s part of the deal—there is no “only good days” option. Even those Instagram-perfect leaders with their polished exterior, color-coded calendars, and spotless offices wake up in a bad mood or have a craptastic day on occasion.
As leaders, we can't prevent emotions—good or bad—from happening in the workplace. What we can control is how we respond to them and the environment we create around emotional expression. The real skill isn't shutting down emotions or letting them run wild—it's finding that sweet spot in between.
Great leaders understand that emotions are data, not distractions. When emotions arise, you get to put your Sherlock hat on—they're telling you something.
Your Mood Sets the Tone
One of the heavy burdens of leadership is that your emotional state ripples through your entire team.
According to the Harvard Business Review, a leader's mood:
- Sets the emotional tone for everyone else
- Influences team dynamics and productivity
- Impacts motivation levels across the board
- Shapes organizational culture over time
I learned this lesson the hard way, one particularly rough morning after a sleepless night. My team was laughing together when I walked in, and instead of joining their moment of connection, I grumbled about the noise and retreated to my office. The energy instantly deflated like a punctured balloon. My bad mood wasn't about them, but they spent the day walking on eggshells, wondering what they'd done wrong.
It's unfair that leaders live under this emotional magnifying glass, where our normal human reactions get amplified across our team like ripples in a still pond. But it's the leadership contract we signed in invisible ink when we accepted the role. It's hard work—sometimes exhausting—to maintain this emotional awareness. That morning, when I inadvertently shut down the fun, was a powerful reminder—I was probably sending these invisible signals all the time without realizing it. Leaders, let's be honest: your mood walks into the room about ten minutes before you do. How is your emotional weather system affecting your team today?
When Your Team Gets Emotional
Now, for the trickier part, when your team members are the ones experiencing intense emotions and standing in front of you, the worst thing you can do is shut them down with statements like "There's no crying in business" or "Leave your feelings at the door."
When they are sharing struggles in their personal life:
- Acknowledge their challenge without minimizing it
- Be flexible where appropriate
- Check in with genuine concern, not micromanagement
- You do not need to have answers or know what to say - listen and ask what they need
For work-related emotions:
- Use coaching questions (I love the ones in The Coaching Habit by 📚Michael Bungay Stanier ) to help them process productively
- Maintain appropriate boundaries and expectations
- Hold them accountable while showing empathy
- Keep your feedback constructive, even when it's tough
About Those Tears Though...
Let's talk specifically about tears, since they tend to create the most discomfort for leaders.
When an employee tears up in your office, remember this isn't a crisis to solve—it's simply a moment of trust. They feel safe enough to be vulnerable with you. That's an honor, not a problem.
Your job isn't to stop the tears or feel awkward. The person in front of you is not broken; they are showing human emotion and feel safe enough to do so in your presence. Simply hand over a tissue, give them space, and be present. Once the moment passes, then you can have the conversation that needs to happen. After all, you and I both know that in moments of overwhelming emotion, people don't make great logical decisions.
Tears don't mean someone is broken, manipulative, or unprofessional. They signal courage, authenticity, and a depth of caring that our workplaces desperately need. When you respond with calm compassion rather than discomfort, you're not just handling the moment—you're modeling what truly powerful leadership looks like. The best leaders don't fear emotion; they create space for it, knowing that's where genuine connection and breakthrough performance begin.
(Side note: In rare cases, tears can be manipulative - like the employee who burst into theatrical sobs when asked to remove an inappropriate social media post, even saying "I bet you want me to stop crying..." My response? "It sounds like you need a good cry." I acknowledged her feelings without backing down, and miraculously, the waterworks dried up instantly. Trust your gut when something feels off, but don't let your discomfort around genuine emotion keep you from being a compassionate leader.)
Leading With Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence is your ability to recognize, understand, and manage your own emotions while skillfully navigating the emotions of others, like having both an internal compass and an external radar that guides your leadership decisions and relationships.
As a leader, you have a unique opportunity to model healthy emotional intelligence:
- Be authentic about your own emotions
- Demonstrate effective emotional regulation
- Show how to name and acknowledge your feelings
- Illustrate how emotions can inform decisions without dictating them
When your team sees you navigating emotions skillfully—acknowledging feelings without letting them derail you—they learn to do the same.
This Week's Leadership Code Word: Presence
Presence means that you are fully engaged in the moment, including being able to recognize emotions without being swept away by them.
Your leadership challenge:
- Notice how your mood impacts your team
- Create a psychologically safe environment where your team can be authentic
- Establish clear expectations around appropriate emotional expression
- Model healthy emotional intelligence in your leadership
Remember, tears don't break teams.
Emotional suppression and unchecked emotional hijacking do.
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This article is based on a lesson from the Leadership Locksmith System, designed to help leaders unlock their confidence, build exceptional teams, and find balance in leadership. For more information on this customized-to-you coaching and training program, message me!
We've all been there.
That awkward moment when you realize you've been rehearsing that difficult-but-clearly-needed conversation in your head for weeks but, you just haven’t followed through yet. You know, the one with the team member who consistently misses deadlines but is otherwise brilliant. Or it’s the excited new employee who dominates every meeting trying to prove themselves, unaware they're silencing others. Or maybe it's the office superstar whose prickly demeanor is turning your team dynamic toxic.
I will never forget the day I finally gathered my courage to address an issue that had been festering in my team for months.
John (not his real name, of course) was a technically skilled, experienced, and hard-working employee – good at his job, dedicated, and incredibly knowledgeable about our systems. He was also completely unaware that his gruff communication style and impatient sighs were reducing our newest team member to tears.
Emily (also not her real name), just 20 and still in college, would literally hide in the bathroom after their interactions. She’d emerge with red eyes, insisting everything was "fine." But it wasn't fine – not for her, not for the team dynamic, and ultimately, not for John either. He had no idea what impact his behavior was having.
As I prepared for this conversation with John, I felt that familiar knot in my stomach. I wasn't ending his employment – but I was potentially ending his self-image as "just direct" and "efficient." This conversation required surgical precision: address the behavior clearly without crushing his spirit or making him defensive. I needed him to change his approach while still valuing his considerable contributions.
This moment – when your palms sweat, and you question if you're cut out for leadership – is precisely when your leadership identity is being forged.
The Hidden Cost of Avoidance
When we avoid or put off those difficult conversations, we're not being kind—we're being cowardly. And the cost is staggering.
The silence created by avoiding conversations creates a workplace where:
- Your top performers watch mediocrity, bad behavior, or even harassment go unchallenged, quietly losing respect for you.
- Your struggling employees miss crucial growth opportunities.
- The misunderstandings deepen past the point of return.
- Team trust erodes as everyone notices the elephant in the room, and you purposefully ignore it.
- Minor issues grow into career-limiting problems or, worse, disengagement and loss of essential team players.
As Kim Scott powerfully states in her book Radical Candor, when we avoid challenging directly (while caring personally), we fall into "ruinous empathy"—where our desire to be nice actually harms the person we're trying to protect. If you haven’t read her books or watched her videos - I highly recommend you look her up today!
Gallup data shows that employees who receive meaningful feedback are significantly more engaged, with 80% of employees who received meaningful feedback in the past week being fully engaged (McLain & Nelson, 2023). Even more striking, employees are 3.6 times more likely to be motivated to do outstanding work when their manager provides daily feedback versus annual feedback.
According to Gallup, meaningful feedback needs to be:
- Frequent - delivered at the moment, not saved for annual reviews
- Focused - specifically tailored to the individual's contributions and talents
- Future-oriented - emphasizing growth rather than dwelling on past mistakes
When we master giving feedback with this approach, we don't just solve problems—we transform our leadership impact.
The Brave Leader's Advantage
The leaders who master difficult conversations aren't just checking a leadership box—they're transforming their effectiveness and their team's performance.
When you become a leader who addresses issues promptly and skillfully:
- Trust multiplies exponentially—your team knows you'll be straight with them always.
- Minor issues stay small instead of growing into something major.
- Your culture becomes one of growth and excellence.
- Your own leadership confidence compounds with each successful conversation.
- Team members actually thank you for the clarity and guidance to help them improve.
That momentary discomfort of a difficult conversation is nothing compared to the lasting damage of silence. Your courage to speak up today could be the turning point in someone's career tomorrow.
This week's leadership code word is BACKBONE.
Not like a brittle and weak hunched-over backbone, but the strong, supportive, and flexible kind that helps you stand tall when it matters most. Having backbone in leadership means finding the courage to say what needs to be said, even when your hands might shake. The most meaningful conversations aren't going to be easy— but that's exactly what makes them worthwhile. When you develop this kind of backbone, you don't just solve problems—you build trust that transforms your entire team.
To help you strengthen your leadership backbone, I've created this Brave Talk Blueprint—a simple framework to turn those dreaded conversations into opportunities for growth and connection:
Have That Talk—This Week
My challenge to you is simple but powerful: Identify one conversation you've been avoiding and commit to having it within the next week.
Remember, the perfect moment won't arrive. Your perfectly rehearsed script will likely go out the window.
However, your genuine care for your employees, your clear focus on the issue (not the person), and your solution-oriented approach will carry you through. And in the end, the benefits will quickly overshadow any discomfort.
As Brené Brown puts it, "Clear is kind. Unclear is unkind." Avoiding the truth doesn't protect your team members—it robs them of the opportunity to grow.
The conversation you're dreading is the very one that could transform someone's career trajectory—and your leadership legacy.
What conversation have you been putting off that needs to happen this week?
This framework is from the Leadership Locksmith System, designed to help leaders unlock their confidence, build exceptional teams, and find balance in leadership. For more information on this customized-to-you coaching and training program, message me!
Did you catch the news this morning? Every headline screams CHANGE at us - political shifts, economic twists, technological revolutions, climate transformations. It's enough to make anyone's head spin!
And there you are, sitting in your leadership chair, knowing that every one of these massive global shifts will eventually ripple into your organization, team, and individual responsibilities. The question isn't if change will come knocking - it's when and how prepared you'll be when it does.
After 20+ years in management, I've seen leaders handle change in two distinct ways:
Reactive leaders wait for change to happen, then scramble to respond. They treat each change like a surprise thunderstorm without an umbrella.
Proactive leaders anticipate change, prepare their teams, and navigate the inevitable disruption with purpose. They've checked the forecast, packed umbrellas, and mapped out shelter locations before the first raindrop falls.
Which approach sounds less stressful to you? (Hint: it's not the first one!)
Why Change Leadership Matters Now More Than Ever
Let's talk about what you'll gain by mastering the art of leading through change:
- Higher Success Rates: While 70% of organizational changes fail, teams with skilled change leaders see dramatically better outcomes
- Maintained Productivity: A proactive approach minimizes that dreaded performance dip
- Talent Retention: People don't leave organizations because of change - they leave because of poorly managed change
- Adaptable Culture: Your team becomes naturally resilient rather than change-resistant
The Change Curve: It's a Journey, Not a Light Switch
One of the biggest mistakes I see leaders make is treating change like flipping a switch - announce it Friday, expect perfect adaptation Monday. But humans don't work that way!
Change follows a predictable pattern that looks something like this:
Notice something important: that dip in performance isn't failure - it's a natural part of the process. Understanding this curve gives us tremendous power as leaders.
When resistance and chaos emerge (and they always will), remember it's not irrational or negative. It's a human response rooted in legitimate concerns:
- Fear of the unknown: "What will this mean for me?"
- Loss of control: "I was good at the old way!"
- Concern about competence: "Will I succeed in the new system?"
- Workload anxiety: "This means more effort when I'm already stretched thin"
- Past scars: "The last change was a disaster."
Resistance isn't your enemy - it's valuable information telling you exactly what needs addressing. And it's never personal, just deeply human.
Your Own Emotions Have a Multiplier Effect
Here's an uncomfortable truth: your reaction to change has a ripple effect throughout your team. If you approach change with anxiety or frustration (even if you think you're hiding it well), that energy spreads like wildfire.
This doesn't mean faking positivity. It means doing your internal work first. Process your reactions with peers or mentors before addressing your team. Your people don't need you to be perfect - they need you to be steady, thoughtful, and genuinely committed to navigating change together.
This Week's Leadership Code Word: ANTICIPATE
Being a proactive change leader means developing your ability to anticipate - not just the change itself, but the human responses to it.
Three powerful mindset shifts can transform how you lead through change:
- Adopt a Learning Orientation: Approach change with curiosity rather than certainty
- Embrace Both/And Thinking: Acknowledge both the potential benefits AND the legitimate challenges
- Focus on Influence, Not Control: You can't control the change, but you can influence how you and your team respond
Your Leadership Challenge
Before your next team meeting, take 10 minutes to reflect on a change you're currently navigating:
- Where are you personally on the change curve? Be honest with yourself.
- Where do you observe different team members on the curve? (Remember, they won't all be in the same place)
- What specific support does each stage require?
Then, choose one action to support your team through this change better. It might be as simple as acknowledging the challenges more openly or creating space for questions and concerns.
Remember, true leadership isn't about avoiding the storms of change - it's about helping your team navigate them with confidence, resilience, and even a sense of adventure. 🌊
🔑 This change management approach is just one piece of the Leadership Locksmith System, where we unlock your leadership potential step by step. Ready to level up not only your change management skills but your entire leadership approach? Contact me and let's start transforming how you lead through life's inevitable changes.
I heard some doozies from exhausted leaders this week:
"No one in this generation wants to work anymore!"
"I can't keep anyone more than a few months before they jump ship."
"People just job hop constantly now—it's what they do."
"Haven't had an employee last a whole year."
Sound familiar? If you're nodding along, your organization isn't just stuck on the hiring merry-go-round—it's watching precious dollars vanish with every resignation letter.
When I hear statements like these, my leadership coach heart doesn't just sink—it sees dollar signs flying out the window. These aren't just casual observations; they're expensive warning signals of a communication breakdown draining thousands of dollars from your organization with each resignation letter.
Let me be straight with you (because after 20+ years as a manager, I've earned the right to be blunt): Every time your team overhears you say, "Nobody wants to work anymore," or “No one sticks around for more than a few months,” you might as well be signing their resignation letters—and writing off thousands in replacement costs.
This week's Leadership Code Word: MIRROR 🪞
Just like a mirror reflects reality without filter or flattery, let's reflect on some cold, hard numbers for a moment.
According to the Work Institute's 2020 Retention Report, the minimum cost of employee turnover is approximately 33% of a worker's annual salary. For many positions, Gallup research places this figure much higher—between 50-200% of annual salary, depending on role complexity and seniority. Even for entry-level employees making $15/hour ($31,200 annually), you lose at least $10,300 each time someone quits. For a $50,000 employee, you're looking at $16,500 to $100,000 walking out the door—per person! Multiply that by your turnover rate, and the figure becomes downright terrifying.
But wait, there's more! Gallup's State of the Global Workplace report reveals that the employees who stay but are disengaged cost organizations through:
- Significantly lower productivity (18% lower than average)
- Higher absenteeism (37% higher)
- Lower quality output (15% lower)
- Decreased customer metrics (10% lower customer ratings)
And what's the #1 driver of engagement? You guessed it—how leaders communicate with their teams.
The Hidden Costs of Leadership Communication
Imagine you work at a restaurant making food. The pay is standard, hours fit your life perfectly, and you genuinely enjoy cooking. What would make you quit and start new at the restaurant down the street? Easy—the people. Especially the boss who never clearly communicates expectations, treats you with respect, offers recognition, or discusses growth opportunities.
Remember that jaw-dropping statistic from the Global Leadership Report I shared in an earlier issue? Employed people are nearly as likely to name someone from work (34%) as they are to name a family member (44%) as the person who has had the most significant positive impact on their lives.
Let that sink in.
Your influence on the people working for you today rivals that of family members. That's not just power—it's a profound responsibility that demands clear, consistent communication. When you fail to communicate with respect and clarity, you're not just losing e
mployees—you're watching thousands of dollars walk out the door with each resignation.
From Conversation Landmines to Leadership Gold
Here's the good news: If you're struggling with this, you're not alone. Nearly every leader I've coached has faced some version of this challenge. The better news? This is absolutely a fixable problem, and it starts with the one thing you can control—yourself.
This week, I encourage you to pay attention to your language about your team. Write down how you describe your employees when talking to:
- Your boss
- Your colleagues
- Your friends
- Your employees themselves
Notice any discrepancies? That's where the communication breakdown begins.
Working with a coach can be transformative here because we often can't see our own communication blind spots. I've helped leaders identify their subtle language patterns that were unconsciously telling their teams, "I don't expect you to stick around"—and then watched as retention dramatically improved once those patterns shifted.
And, if you're ready to take it further, try this mindset shift: Start communicating with your team as if each person carries the irreplaceable keys to your success.
In reality, each employee walks around with thousands of dollars in training investment, invaluable institutional knowledge, vital customer relationships, and pieces of your culture that can't be quantified on a balance sheet.
Notice how your words change when you view your team not as replaceable parts but as essential keepers of your organization's past, present, and future—human beings whose value extends far beyond the staggering financial cost of replacing them.
Ready to transform your communication approach and stop the exodus? Book a leadership game plan session, and let's get started.
I thought I was crushing it. A full-time job and a graduate school program perfectly aligned with my work - I was the poster child for career dedication. My evenings? Filled with coursework and projects that were connected to my job. Weekends? More of the same. My friends, family, and hobbies? Well, I missed them. But, I loved what I was doing so much that the line between work and study blurred into one endless loop of productivity with little time to miss out on the other things that made me... well, me.
But here's the plot twist you probably saw coming a mile away: By graduation, I wasn't just tired - I was completely burned out. Within months after graduation, I left a job I had once truly loved because I had nothing left to give. What I needed then (but didn't know it) was a coach to help me create sustainable success strategies. Someone to challenge my "more is more" mindset and help me design a better way to create balance in my leadership. And someone to help me create a recovery plan to get me back to the place where I loved my work and still had a life away from the job.
That burnout experience revolutionized my approach to leadership: Work-life harmony isn't a perk - it's a survival skill. I started my next role (a bigger position with more responsibilities) with boundaries as solid as bank vault security. Why? Because I'd learned the hard way that sustainable leadership requires sustainable practices. And I never, ever want to feel burnout like that again. Now, I get to show other leaders how to achieve more by doing less - and actually enjoy their lives along the way.
Here's the thing - my story isn't unique. And unfortunately, for many of us, it is all too common. In 2021, the World Health Organization released findings that should make every workaholic sit up straight: Working more than 55 hours per week is now the leading occupational hazard. Let that sink in. We're not just talking about being tired - we're talking about 745,000 deaths in 2016 from stroke and heart disease related to overwork.
Still thinking about checking those emails at 9 PM? Consider this:
- Your stroke risk jumps 35% when working over 55 hours
- Heart disease risk increases 17%
- Men are particularly vulnerable (72% of cases)
Those extra hours? They're probably wasted anyway. Stanford research showed that output at 70 hours barely differed from 56 hours. Those extra 14 hours? They are just expensive window-dressing.
🔑 Leadership Code Word of the Week: RECHARGE
Because let's face it - you can't pour from an empty cup, and your leadership battery needs regular charging to keep your strategic superpowers at full strength. Here are four proven strategies I use with my coaching clients to help them maximize impact while minimizing burnout:
- Conduct Your Hours Audit: Track every working hour this week (including those "quick" evening email checks). Be ruthlessly honest. Why? Because awareness drives change. When you see those hours in black and white, it becomes harder to justify that "just one more thing" mindset. Plus, research shows your cognitive function drops significantly after 50 hours of work. Want to make better decisions? Start by knowing where your time really goes.
- Delegate Like Your Health Depends On It (Because It Does): Choose three tasks to hand off this week. Yes, your team might tackle them differently - that's actually a good thing! When you trust others with meaningful work, two amazing things happen: they grow stronger, and you free up mental space for true leadership. Feeling unsure about what to delegate or how to let go? That's where leadership coaching makes all the difference. We help you develop the confidence and skills to know exactly when and what to hand off to your talented team.
- Set Your Non-Negotiable Boundary: Choose one firm limit - like no email after 6 PM or protecting your lunch break. Stick to it like it's mandated by law. When you respect your own boundaries, you model healthy work habits for your team. Plus, you'll show up fresher, sharper, and more creative. Those breakthrough solutions rarely come when you're running on empty.
- Schedule Joy (And Guard It Fiercely): Block time for something that energizes you - exercise, family dinner, a hobby - and defend it like you would a crucial stakeholder meeting. Why? Because you are a crucial stakeholder in your own success. Leaders who maintain interests outside work bring fresh perspectives and increased resilience to their roles. Your team needs you energized, not exhausted.
Remember: Every hour you reclaim isn't just an investment in your well-being - it's an investment in your leadership effectiveness. Your team deserves a leader who's present, focused, and modeling sustainable success.
Ready to unlock your leadership potential without sacrificing your sanity? Let's connect! Connect with me for more practical wisdom on leading without losing yourself in the process!
Full disclosure: I was terrible at Super Mario Brothers. Like, embarrassingly bad. I'd regularly fall into pits, get knocked out by the slowest-moving Goombas, and my timing on those jumping sequences? Let's just say Princess Peach wasn't counting on me for rescue. I never made it that far.
But here's the thing - I kept playing anyway. Even though I was terrible, I memorized every hidden block and power-up location in World 1-1 through sheer persistence. Because while I may not be a natural gamer, I discovered something crucial: the path to success, whether in Mario Brothers or leadership, follows the same pattern. You start small, gather new abilities, learn from those face-palm moments, and gradually level-up to bigger challenges.
In the game, tiny Mario hunts for mushrooms to grow bigger, grabs fire flowers for new abilities, and collects stars for temporary invincibility. Each power-up transforms his capabilities for tougher challenges ahead. Leadership works the same way - though thankfully, there's less chance of being eaten by piranha plants. It's not about being perfect; it's about being persistent and knowing when you need that next power-up.
That's exactly what was on my mind last week when a client confided in our coaching session: "I've hit my leadership plateau. I climbed here through technical expertise, but now I'm facing challenges no amount of policy knowledge can solve." I knew exactly what they meant - they were like Mario stuck in small form trying to battle Bowser, technically in the game but critically underpowered for the level they were trying to play.
Here's why this matters:
According to McLean & Company's 2024 Future of Work Report, leadership skill sets will need to "change completely or almost completely" by 2030. That's not a typo - completely. The leadership game is being rewritten, and we need new power-ups to stay competitive.
The research reveals some eye-opening trends:
- 71% of professionals aged 18-29 would take a 10% pay cut to work for an organization creating positive social impact
- Traditional career paths are dissolving as workers prioritize work-life balance and role enjoyment
- Technical skills have a shorter shelf life than durable skills like analytical thinking and emotional intelligence
- Organizations are shifting toward skills-based models rather than rigid position descriptions
And here's where it gets even more interesting - Gallup's latest Global Leadership Report reveals what your team is really looking for in their leadership power-ups. Just like Mario needs specific power-ups for different challenges, your team needs four essential elements from you: hope, trust, compassion, and stability.
Here's the game-changer: Hope isn't just a nice-to-have power-up - it's the superstar of leadership abilities. A whopping 56% of attributes linked to influential leaders revolve around hope, leaving trust (33%) in second place. Think about that - hope is literally more powerful than trust!
And for all my leaders of young employees out there, this is especially crucial for your Gen Z team members. The data shows that 18-29-year-olds are particularly hungry for hope-focused leadership. (Remember that 71% who'd take a pay cut for meaningful work? They're looking for leaders who can paint a picture of positive impact!)
But here's the really wild part - your leadership power-ups have more impact than you might think. Gallup found that workplace leaders have almost as much influence on people's lives as family members (34% vs 44%). That's right - your leadership style isn't just affecting quarterly goals; it's literally shaping people's life satisfaction.
This week's leadership code: POWER-UP MINDSET 🌟
Just like Mario's power-ups multiply his abilities, each new leadership skill you gain expands your capacity to navigate these changes. But here's the twist - unlike Mario, you can't just stumble upon these power-ups. You need to seek them out actively.
Early in my career, I thought leadership meant:
🤦Doing Everything Myself - "If you want something done right..." (Plot twist: Delegation actually makes everything better!)
🔄 Saying Yes to Everything - My calendar looked like a game of Tetris gone wrong. (Proud graduate of People-Pleasers Anonymous now!)
⏰Working 50+ hour weeks was my norm - That one month with only two days off? Let's file that under "Lessons Learned the Hard Way."
🙈 Avoiding Tough Conversations - My conflict management strategy? Hope it magically disappears! (Spoiler alert: It never did.)
📚 Neglecting My Own Growth - To my early-career team members: I owe you a coffee and a massive apology for learning leadership on the job!
Sound familiar? Don't worry - we've all been there. These aren't just confessions; they're battle scars that turned into wisdom. And now? They're exactly what NOT to do in your leadership journey!
Today's leaders need different power-ups
The Essential Four (According to Gallup):
⭐ Hope Power-Up (Your Star Power): The most crucial ability, driving 38% higher team thriving. Create an inspiring vision that gives work meaning.
🔥 Trust Power-Up (Your Fire Flower): Build credibility through consistent, transparent leadership - it's 33% of your leadership impact.
🍄 Compassion Power-Up (Your Super Mushroom): Create psychological safety where people feel valued and understood.
🛡️ Stability Power-Up (Your Shield): Provide clear direction and reliable support in a changing world.
But knowing what power-ups you need isn't enough - you need to know how to use them effectively. Here's how to deploy these power-ups in your daily leadership:
Create conditions for strategic and creative work: Think of this as designing your team's game level. With AI handling routine tasks, your role is to create space for innovation and strategic thinking. This means fewer status meetings and more brainstorming sessions, less micromanaging, and more empowerment.
Foster meaningful technology engagement: It's not enough to just have the latest tools - you need to be the bridge between human potential and technological capability. Like choosing the right power-up for each challenge, help your team leverage technology to enhance, not replace, their work.
Build psychological safety and belonging: Consider this your team's shield power-up. When people feel safe to take risks, share ideas, and be themselves at work, they perform at their best. Create an environment where mistakes are learning opportunities and diverse perspectives are actively sought.
Develop both technical and durable skills: Technical skills are like temporary power-ups - useful but time-limited. Durable skills (critical thinking, emotional intelligence, adaptability) are your permanent upgrades. Your team needs both to thrive in 2025 and beyond.
Manage diverse, multi-generational teams: Your workforce spans from Gen Z to Boomers, each with different motivations and work styles. Like a game requiring different strategies for different opponents, effective leaders adapt their approach while maintaining equity and inclusion.
Prioritize wellbeing and connection: This is your team's energy bar. McLean & Company's research shows that well-being isn't just about work-life balance - it's about creating meaningful connections and ensuring people feel valued. When the energy bar is full, everything works better.
The multiplier effect?
When you prioritize your own growth, you create ripples far beyond your immediate team. Remember that wild Gallup stat - your leadership influence is nearly equal to family members in shaping people's lives! By modeling continuous learning and deploying those essential power-ups (hope, trust, compassion, and stability), you're not just prepping your team for McLean's predicted 2030 leadership revolution - you're actively improving their whole life experience.
Think of it like throwing a Super Star in Mario - the invincibility spreads beyond just Mario to transform the whole game. When you show up as a powered-up leader, you create:
- A hope-filled vision of the future (that 56% leadership superpower!)
- Space for innovation and strategic thinking (crucial for McLean's 2030 forecast)
- Permission for others to prioritize their own growth and well-being
It's not just about leveling up yourself - it's about creating an environment where everyone can thrive. That's true leadership multiplication! 🌟
Your Next Power-Up Move: 🎮
Take a hard look at your current leadership approach. Are you still playing on basic mode when you could be Fire Mario? The future of work demands leaders who can adapt, grow, and create meaningful impact.
Remember: Every great leader was once just like Mario at the start of World 1-1. The difference? They kept collecting those power-ups.⭐
Feeling stuck in Small Mario mode? Your next leadership level awaits. Email me "POWER-UP"🔥 to discover how the Leadership Locksmith System can help you level up your leadership game while reclaiming your life outside of work.
You know that moment when everything seems to be falling apart, and you're supposed to be the calm one? The steady one? The one with all the answers?
Yeah, that moment. Let's talk about that – and, more importantly, how to get through it together.
Last week, I coached a leader facing one of those impossibly tough moments. Because she had support in her corner, she didn't have to figure it out alone. Together, we crafted a strategy that turned potential chaos into a leadership win. You see, her team's grant funding may be on the chopping block, and anxiety was rippling through the office like a tidal wave. Instead of hiding in her office (tempting, right?), she reached out for support and then gathered her team for honest conversations about adapting their mission. No sugar coating, just authentic leadership in action.
This reminds me of Nelson Mandela's extraordinary example of resilience. He emerged without bitterness after 27 years in prison and transformed a nation. "A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination," he said. While we may not face challenges of that magnitude, we can learn from his ability to combine strategic thinking with unwavering compassion to bounce back stronger.
It's those everyday moments when resilience matters most:
- Having that difficult conversation that you've been dreading
- Standing your ground against strong opposition
- Staying true to your values under pressure
- Leading your team through uncertainty
- Making tough decisions while staying human
But here's the thing - great leaders don't do it alone. They build support networks, seek guidance when needed, and know when to reach out for help.
🔑 This Week's Leadership Code Word: BOUNCE
Because the ability to bounce back isn't just about surviving – it's about thriving with support. And the most unshakeable leaders? They tap into proven techniques that transform how they handle challenges.
Let me share a few of my favorite tools from my Leadership Locksmith System coaching and training program. These are only a few of the game-changers I've seen work magic with leaders just like you:
🔄 Your Bounce-Back Blueprint:
A. Start Your Day with a "Mission Moment"
Why: When the daily grind threatens to overwhelm you, connecting with your purpose reignites your passion.
How: Before opening your email, spend 2 minutes reflecting on 1-2 ways your work impacts real people. Maybe it's the family who can safely drink their tap water or the small business owner who got their funding.
B. Create Your "Victory File"
Why: Our brains are wired to focus on negative feedback. This counterbalances that tendency.
How: Start a shared folder with your team. Exchange wins, testimonials, and success stories. On tough days, you'll have a whole cheerleading squad in your corner.
Pro tip: In our coaching program, we call this your 'Leadership Legacy File' - it's incredible how this simple tool can transform your confidence.
C. Master the "Bounce Strategy"
Why: Every setback is a setup for a comeback, but only if you have a game plan.
How: Work through the B.O.U.N.C.E method with your coach or trusted advisor:
Breathe and step back
Observe the situation objectively
Understand what's in your control
Name your available resources
Create an action plan
Execute with confidence
D. Practice the "10-10-10 Rule"
Why: This tool helps you gain perspective when everything feels urgent.
How: When facing a challenge, ask yourself: Will this matter in 10 minutes? 10 months? 10 years? This mental framework helps you respond strategically rather than reactively. When you're not sure - check in with a circle of trusted peers to help you work through the answers.
E. Build Your "Circle of Trust"
Why: Leadership can be lonely, and perspective is priceless.
How: Join a peer affinity group or a leadership coaching program. Connect with 2-3 trusted peers who will tell you what you need to hear, not just what you want to hear. Meet regularly to share challenges, workshop solutions, and celebrate wins.
Here's what I see time and again: These tools are powerful on their own, but the real transformation happens when leaders combine them with personalized coaching support. Think of it like having a personal trainer for your leadership muscles - someone who knows exactly when to push, when to adjust, and how to help you achieve results faster than you could alone.
Remember: Your calm presence during storms isn't just leadership – it's a gift to everyone around you.
But you don't have to weather those storms alone.
Please share this article with a fellow leader who might need it today. Sometimes, the strongest thing we can do is remind each other that we're not alone in this journey.
Here's the truth: The world needs resilient leaders now more than ever. And with the right support? You've got this.
I'll never forget that March morning in 2020. My phone buzzed with an urgent message - I'd been tapped for our agency's COVID response team. My heart raced as I walked into my team meeting, knowing they'd look to me for answers I didn't have. But you know what? We got through it. Together. And you will, too.
Dear government leader, I see you. The weight of proposed federal changes, contract reviews, and grant uncertainties is heavy. Your people are looking to you, just like mine looked to me. And even though you might be processing your own worries, you're showing up every day with strength and grace.
This week's Leadership Code Word is HARBOR...
... because that's precisely what you are for your team right now.
Just as a harbor provides safety during storms, your steady presence is precisely what your team needs.
Here's how to be their harbor (while taking care of yourself too):
🌊 Listen with Your Heart
- Create space for concerns (including your own)
- Share "I hear you" moments
- Remember: you don't need all the answers to be supportive
🌊 Focus on Your Circle of Control
- Guide your team to focus on what they CAN influence
- Keep daily work moving forward - it provides stability
- Maintain team routines where possible - they're comforting anchors
- Remember: energy spent on things we can't control is energy wasted
🌊 Capture Your Team's Greatness
- Help each person articulate their unique superpowers
- Document team wins and project successes
- Celebrate the skills they've developed
- Remember: their talents and accomplishments don't disappear with organizational changes
🌊 Build Your Village
- Create lasting connections (team chats, social media groups)
- Encourage peer support networks
- Stay connected - community matters now more than ever
🌊 Lead with Grace
- Be present and visible
- Share what you know honestly
- Trust that your calm presence is enough
Here's what I want you to know: Leadership can be challenging on the easy days, and what you're navigating right now is especially tough.
But you're doing better than you think. Your steady presence, your thoughtful words, your quiet strength - it all matters more than you know.
You're not just managing change - you're showing others how to face uncertainty with dignity and hope. That's real leadership, my friend.
And hey - who's supporting YOU through this?
Leadership can feel lonely, but it doesn't have to be. I've created a special coaching package specifically for amazing government leaders like you. Because sometimes you need a safe harbor too.
You've got this. And I've got you.
Once upon my late 20's, I was sitting at an Improv show in Denver and had that thought... I could do that! Little did I know that decision would transform not just my evenings but my entire approach to leadership.
From there, I spent a few years in classes and on stage at a couple of small theaters in the Denver area. (And oh! What I would give to have that 20-something energy again - working full-time, performing downtown, and then somehow still having the energy to socialize until all hours at least five nights a week!)
But here's the unexpected plot twist:
Those late nights of saying "yes, and..." taught me more about leadership than any management book ever could. Improv didn't just make me funnier - it made me a better leader in two crucial ways:
First, it taught me the art of truly listening and validating others' perspectives. In improv, if you're planning your next line instead of listening to your scene partner, the whole thing falls apart. Sound familiar, fellow leaders?
Second, and most surprisingly, it revealed the transformative power of appropriate humor in leadership. Sure, we've all heard "laughter is the best medicine," but in leadership? It's rocket fuel for team connection.
This week's Leadership Code Word is HUMOR.
It's time to challenge the notion that serious work requires serious faces all the time.
Here's why the best leaders embrace appropriate humor:
🎯 The Leadership Magic of Laughter
- Creates psychological safety (people trust leaders who make them laugh)
- Reduces workplace stress (hello, better productivity!)
- Makes messages memorable (bye-bye, boring meetings)
Think about your favorite leaders. I bet you remember the ones who made you laugh. The boss with the endless dad jokes about his “Saab story” because his car was always in the shop, the director whose eyes twinkled with subtle wit when he landed a joke no one noticed, the colleague whose laugh echoed down the hallway - we remember them because they made us feel connected.
But I can hear some of you now: "That's great, but I'm not funny."
Here's the secret - leadership humor isn't only about telling jokes or doing standup. It's about embracing our shared humanity and the delightful absurdity of work life.
Let me share a story that perfectly illustrates this...
Picture me, the brand new leader in the office trying to be a healthy professional, making one of those fancy bagged salads in the break room. One wrong turn later - SPLAT! The entire thing's upside down on the carpet. (That oil stain is probably still there!) Instead of hiding my klutziness, I shared it. Soon, everyone felt comfortable sharing their "human moments" - from walking into doors to those awkward, “I can’t believe I called the same person back twice” situations.
That's real leadership humor - not rehearsed jokes, but authentic moments that remind us we're all human.
Want to bring more light to your leadership? Try these approaches:
🌟 Humor Leadership in Action
- Share your own "oops" moments openly
- Find the lighter side of workplace challenges
- Create space for natural, appropriate laughter
- Lead with authenticity over perfection
In today's high-pressure public sector environment, your willingness to find humor in challenges sets the tone for your entire team. When you can laugh at the coffee maker's daily rebellion or that agency-wide email that went to reply-all instead of just the intended person, you give your team permission to stay positive, too.
The best part? This leadership superpower is already within you. You don't need to become a comedian - you simply need to be willing to let your human side show.
Ready to level up your leadership beyond just bringing more humor?
Through my 20+ years in public sector leadership, I've identified the 7 Leadership Mistakes that Destroy Confidence as a Public Sector Manager - and compiled proven solutions for each one.
Remember: Your team doesn't need you to be perfect. They need you to be real.
