“We’re living in a time of unprecedented change.” If I had a dime for every time I heard that phrase over the past few years, I’d be a wealthy woman. But it’s undeniably true. Rapidly advancing technology, the proliferation of AI, shifting demographics, changing global markets, organizational realignments, and more continue to transform the workplace in profound ways and at a profound pace. It’s easy, as a leader, to focus on the mechanics of what must happen, and the action steps and milestones required to reach the future state. In the process, we can forget that change is fundamentally a ..read more

As the workplace and the workforce continue to morph, understanding what people are looking for in and from their work has taken on greater significance. When we understand interests and motivations, we’re able to offer an employee experience that generates engagement, taps discretionary effort, promotes productivity, and ensures the retention of top talent. Our third annual report, Career Development Today: What People Really Want, sheds much-needed light upon what employees prioritized last year and offers organizations and leaders important insights to drive talent-centric strategies ..read more

As 2024 begins, it’s seductive to make declarations about how things (including ourselves) will be different in the coming year. Daily exercise Kind words to the crotchety co-worker No sugar The list goes on. The problem is that too frequently we jump to these resolutions prematurely. They end up operating in a vacuum and without context… more like challenges than congruent, integrated intentions. They capture our intention for a few weeks, but they fail to capture our imaginations and hearts sufficiently to carry them further. And it’s all because we skip an important step: we look forward ..read more

The talent development strategy of mentorship is getting a lot of attention these days. From books to boardrooms, everyone is trying to crack the code and tap its potential and power. Mentors have the ability to accelerate the growth of others through their generous sharing of their perspectives, time, insights, coaching, and experience. Is this a selfless act of service? Not even remotely. Savvy mentors stand to gain as much from the experience as do the protégés they guide… and frequently a lot more. Are you on the fence about becoming a mentor? Consider these 6 ways you can personally bene ..read more

As the year draws to a close, I’m thrilled to be able to compile and share this month’s Leadership Development Carnival. In this ‘Best of 2023’ edition, you’ll be treated to the most impactful insights of 21 thought leaders as they offer their favorite articles from the year. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or an aspiring leader, these pages promise to be an invaluable companion on your path to personal and professional growth. And you’ll want to dive in immediately… not just for the wisdom, but also for the free gifts that many contributors are offering. This is just a small way to expr ..read more

Despite high-profile examples of organizations requiring employees to return to the office, the reality is that plenty of leaders continue to find themselves in the position of managing employees who don’t routinely share the same working space. Many organizations have made the commitment to continue to tap a wider talent pool, to allow for the autonomy and work-life balance that employees desire, and to take advantage of the agility that a distributed workforce is uniquely positioned to deliver. And yet, despite advances in technology and several years of experience and experimentation, chal ..read more

In Promotions Are SO Yesterday, I introduced the idea of the Multidimensional Career and a framework that expands the definition of career development. Rather than conflating growth with the traditional upward trajectory of promotions, positions, and move, this framework offers seven alternate ways employees can grow – right within the context of their own careers. They include: Contribution: Making a difference, being of service, or aligning with purpose Competence: Building critical capabilities, skills, abilities, and expertise Connection: Cultivating relationships, deepening networks, el ..read more

I have to admit that I wasn’t expecting much as I dressed in pink and headed off with the family to see Barbie last weekend. Without spoiling the plot for those of you who have yet to see it, this movie offers a surprising commentary on such things as aging, the patriarchy, development, and even the workplace. I never would have guessed that a plastic doll would inspire such interesting discussions in social media and real life. One particularly rich LinkedIn conversation was started by Jessica Segal with a post likening Ken to real human employees who are happy doing what they do and have no ..read more

Experiencing stumbles and setbacks can teach us a lot about ourselves – a lot about being a leader. I was reflecting on a stage production of Circus 1903 I attended several years ago. It was a variety show featuring turn-of-the-century circus acts. The audience enjoyed heart-stopping performances from high-wire artists, aerialists, contortionists, and acrobats from around the world. (While this isn’t intended to be a review, I can highly recommend the show!) Even a few years later, I remember that each act was an impressive display of a lifetime (sometimes generations) of muscle and skill bui ..read more

I’m not going to lie. When I was first introduced to ChatGPT, it absolutely terrified me. Was it going to: Automate the task and talent of writing that I find joy in? Transform my craft into a commodity? Render a skill set I’ve worked hard to hone irrelevant? Rather than sit with the fear, my team and I took action, investing every ounce of curiosity we could muster in learning about the capability and exploring its limitations. We played and explored in an effort to identify clear applications and use cases where AI could add real value to our clients and community. Introducing GrowBot To ..read more