3 big leadership benefits of upgrading your internal operating system

3 big leadership benefits of upgrading your internal operating system

“Vertical leadership development” is an arcane, awkward and even patriarchal term. Yet this coaching approach is well-suited for today’s world. And if you’re interested in becoming a better leader – and human being – it’s useful to know what it is and how it can help...

Why humans and AI bots work better with clarity, curiosity and care

Why humans and AI bots work better with clarity, curiosity and care

Are you noticing how many of us are being more considerate in our interactions with gen AI than we are with our fellow humans? With AI, we carefully and thoughtfully provide prompts to AI. With our fellow humans, we often open our mouths and think out loud. In other...

Want to be more empathetic? Practice the platinum rule

Want to be more empathetic? Practice the platinum rule

For this year, I’ve selected the value of empathy to support my focal phrase, chameleon leaders, as explained in this early January blog post Why and how to be an empathetic chameleon leader in 2026. My aim as an empathetic chameleon leader is to practice the platinum...

Why and how to be an empathetic chameleon leader in 2026

Why and how to be an empathetic chameleon leader in 2026

As context, this marks the sixth year I’ve chosen a focal word/phrase and the first time I’ve selected a value. Here’s my thinking around these two choices, including their immediate relevancy. First, chameleon leaders. Chameleons are the ultimate connectors and...

Five 2025 books that share practical tips for becoming better

Five 2025 books that share practical tips for becoming better

For 2025, I returned to reading business books after taking a break in 2024 with fiction and theatre-related books. However, I didn’t blog much about books this year, writing instead on a range of issues that interested my clients and me. Now, I want to share my five...