Content note: This article discusses sexual assault, violence, racial violence, workplace abuse, retaliation, and death, focusing on the system. However, I keep hearing these stories as if they are separate within system. I don’t. I see the through lines clearly. However, I see the system perpetuating toxic masculinity. I see group loyalty. I see the…
One of the words I hear most often in organizations is accountability. Leaders want more of it. Managers want employees to take ownership. Employees want leaders to be held accountable, too. But accountability can become complicated very quickly when people do not believe it is being applied fairly. That is where organizational justice becomes especially…
In the last article, I introduced organizational justice and its link to psychological safety, inclusion, and trust. One area that really stands out to me is procedural justice — whether people have trust that the processes used to make decisions are fair. I keep coming back to this because of what I hear when I…
Over the years, I have spent a lot of time talking with leaders and employees about psychological safety, inclusion, trust, and workplace culture. No matter the organization, one issue keeps arising: people do not always understand how leaders make decisions. They may know the final decision. They may even accept that leadership had to make…
Target’s latest Halloween costume controversy shows how fragile trust becomes once it has already been damaged. Rebuilding it requires more than an apology—it takes stronger systems, diverse perspectives, psychological safety, and consistent action over time.
Leadership often comes with an expectation that you should know what you’re doing. You’ve earned the title. You’ve built experience. People look to you for direction. And if you’ve been leading for a while, you may have a track record that reinforces your confidence in how you show up. Then someone gives you feedback. Maybe…
Yesterday, I had the privilege of facilitating an Executive Briefing with leaders from across industries. As we talked about the transition into people leadership, one thing became abundantly clear: the challenge isn’t limited to first-time managers. One of the questions I asked participants was simple: What do you wish someone had prepared you for before…
It’s not a leadership development problem. It’s a leadership preparedness problem. A few weeks ago, I found myself in another coaching conversation with a manager who had been leading people for less than two years. By every measure, they were doing a great job. They were knowledgeable. They were respected. They understood the technical aspects…
Toxic workplaces can show strong financial performance, but this often comes at the expense of employee wellbeing and trust. While leaders may express empathy, actions can create psychological safety gaps. Sustainable excellence requires fostering environments where employees feel safe to communicate, innovate, and contribute without fear, impacting long-term organizational health.
The grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center offered more than a celebration of history. Through their remarks, Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama reminded us what it can look like to build a country rooted in dignity, shared responsibility, inclusion, truth, and care. At a time when many communities, organizations, and institutions are navigating…