I remember preparing for a high-stakes conversation about a critical project that was in trouble early in my leadership career. The project was behind schedule, stakeholders were frustrated, and there was a real risk of damaging our credibility with a key customer. I needed to align my team, manage expectations, and find a way forward—all …
I wasn’t always good at delivering bad news to my manager. It wasn’t that I was afraid to do it—after all, I worked for companies that prioritized learning from failures rather than punishing mistakes. My challenge was different: I wanted to communicate the news in a way that would lead to a productive conversation and …
As of early 2025, 6.8 million people in the U.S. are unemployed, with a 4.0% unemployment rate (BLS.gov). In technology sector, unemployment increased to 2.9%, up from 2.0% at the end of 2024 (HR Dive). That means many of us have friends, former colleagues, or acquaintances reaching out for help with their job search. We’re …
As a tech leader, I’ve often found myself caught in the trap of needing to be right. It’s how many of us are wired—after all, in tech, precision matters. If I hear something that’s incorrect, my instinct is to jump in and correct it right away. It’s like spotting a bug in code—you don’t leave …
I’ve wanted to write about skip-level meetings for a while now. Let’s starting with a definition. A skip-level meeting is a one-on-one interaction between a senior leader and an employee who is two or more levels below them in the organizational hierarchy. Throughout my leadership career, these conversations have been more than just a management …
The end of the year is a natural time for reflection and forward planning. Many people take stock of the months gone by and set their sights on new beginnings. This is why New Year’s resolutions remain a popular tradition year after year. However, there’s an inherent challenge: most New Year’s resolutions fail to stick. …
One of my favorite things about the holiday season is the joy of sharing warm and festive greetings with friends and family. This time of year also offers a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with people we may have drifted apart from, including those in our professional networks. You might be wondering, “Why would I want …
As an executive and leadership coach, I’ve witnessed countless leaders grapple with a common challenge: how to guide their teams through significant changes while delivering business results. I faced this challenge many times in my own career as well. Whether it’s an agile transformation, technology modernization, or a shift in company culture, leaders often find …
As a coach, I frequently meet ambitious leaders looking to understand how coaching can enhance their effectiveness and help them achieve their goals. In this post, I will clarify what coaching is, share my personal journey with a coach, and discuss the nuances of finding the right coach for your needs. What is Coaching? Coaching …
At some point in my career, I started to feel that my leadership skills needed a booster. I was managing a rapidly growing team. For the first time, I couldn’t be directly involved in every customer project and internal initiative, which required my attention. I didn’t have time for regular check-ins or career development conversations …
