Leadership isn’t just about authority, decisions, or strategy — it’s about how you are perceived by those you lead. The famous story of The Emperor’s New Clothes  reminds us that perception can carry as much weight as reality, sometimes even more. In today’s workplaces, a leader’s ability to understand and manage perceptions can mean the difference between influence and isolation, between genuine leadership and being out of touch. Let’s explore what this old fable can teach m

The strategy is set. Team roles are clear. KPIs are defined. Everyone’s focused and working diligently—with the best intent—to hit goals and move fast. All seems to be working well… but something’s not quite clicking across teams. Deals are closing. Customer feedback is rolling in. Product is building, Customer Success is responding, Marketing is creating momentum. Yet under the surface, there's a subtle misalignment. Operations and Product Development are optimizing for scal

Just the other day, I was facilitating a team-building session focusing on sharing and learning about the group's consolidated behaviour profiles. During several of the group "brainstorming" sessions I noticed that a few leaders tended to dominate their respective discussions and/or dismiss ideas that members of their group have brought up. As I had worked with these leaders closely, I realised that their response were not intentional, rather they were not aware of what th

In my interactions with some business leaders recently, I've noticed that some had wanted to work on getting the right balance in their level of assertiveness (the dialing up or down their assertiveness in response to various situations). When we delved deeper during these interactions, there often seems to be some blurring of definitions between being assertiveness versus being aggressiveness. In this blog, we will attempt to break down the key differences between assertive

As the new year rolls around, many individuals find themselves at a crossroads in their careers, contemplating fresh starts and new opportunities. It's not uncommon to see a surge in job changes during this time, as people use the start of the year to reassess their professional goals, seek better work-life balance, or pursue career growth. Whether it’s the excitement of a new year that sparks change, or simply the timing of recruitment cycles, the beginning of the year has b

Effective performance management is the cornerstone of organizational success, driving employee engagement, productivity, and growth. As leaders, it's crucial to implement a comprehensive performance management system that enables you to align individual goals with organizational objectives, provide constructive feedback, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. In this blog, we'll explore eight essential elements of performance management for leaders to maximize the p

In today's fast-paced and ever-changing work environments, fostering a culture of trust and open communication has become crucial for team success and innovation. One concept that plays a key role in building such a culture is psychological safety . Psychological safety is a crucial element of a healthy, high-functioning workplace. It refers to an environment where employees feel comfortable expressing their ideas, concerns, or mistakes without fear of negative consequences.

Fluid intelligence plays a crucial role in our ability to solve problems, adapt to new situations, and think creatively. It refers to the capacity to think logically and abstractly without relying on prior knowledge. While some people are naturally high in fluid intelligence, others may find it more challenging to navigate new or complex problems. However, whether your fluid intelligence is high or low, there are strategies to help you maximize your cognitive potential and th

In today's rapidly evolving job market, organizations are constantly seeking effective ways to ensure that they select candidates who are not only qualified but also well-suited to the organizational culture and the specific requirements of the role. One of the more effective tools that employers are increasingly using for this purpose is psychometric testing . Psychometric tools provide a structured and data-driven approach to evaluating a candidate’s skills, personality, an

As leaders, one of the most challenging responsibilities we face is addressing poor performance within our teams. While it may be uncomfortable or difficult, providing constructive feedback and addressing performance issues is essential for maintaining team effectiveness and driving continuous improvement. In this article, we'll explore strategies for effectively communicating poor performance while fostering a culture of accountability, growth, and support. 1. Prepare Though

Conflict is an inevitable aspect of teamwork, arising from differing perspectives, priorities, and personalities. While conflict can be challenging, effective leaders recognize it as an opportunity for growth, learning, and collaboration. In this blog, we'll explore six strategies that leaders can use to manage work conflict within their teams and foster a culture of harmony and collaboration. 1. Foster Open Communication: Encourage open and transparent communication withi

Silos within teams can be detrimental to organizational effectiveness, hindering communication, stifling innovation, and impeding overall performance. As a leader, it is essential to recognize the negative impact of silos and take proactive steps to break them down. By fostering a culture of collaboration and teamwork, leaders can unlock the full potential of their teams and drive collective success. Here are some strategies for leaders to break down silos within their own te

In the realm of leadership, success is not solely determined by individual prowess but by the collective strength and cohesion of the team. Effective leaders recognize the significance of team building as a cornerstone of organizational success. By fostering a culture of collaboration, trust, and unity, leaders empower their teams to achieve greater heights of productivity, innovation, and resilience. In this blog, we'll delve into six key reasons why it is essential for lead

In the quest for organizational success, investing in team development is crucial. However, the approach to team development can vary greatly, with some organizations opting for one-time events while others choose to develop comprehensive team development plans. In this article, we'll explore the importance of developing a team development plan over running one-time events and the strategic advantages it offers. 1. Sustainable Growth and Progress: One-time team building even

In today's dynamic and fast-paced work environments, the success of a team often hinges on more than just technical skills and expertise. The ability to understand and manage emotions, both individually and collectively, has become a critical factor in team dynamics. Enter emotional intelligence (EQ) profiling, a powerful tool that allows leaders to unravel the intricacies of team dynamics and cultivate an environment conducive to high performance. The Essence of Emotional In

INTRODUCTION There is much that is written about “Leadership”. There are many skills to learn about how to enhance one’s leadership. In some organisations, there is more focus on the importance of a strong “technical” set of skills that are relevant to specific vocations to ensure that there is hard-skills competence to derive solutions, innovation, strategies, etc. However, Leaders and Individual contributors do not work in isolation (in my view, individuals are also lea

At the workplace there is the constant striving by individuals and teams for greater efficiency, teamwork and productivity. From a succession perspective, it is also important for organisations to have a talent pool with the potential to take on greater responsibility and move into leadership. In this article we would like to share how information about personality traits can contribute to performance at the workplace and why it may be advantageous to consider the collection

The Thomas Personal Profile Analysis report is useful for individuals to get an understanding about their preferred working behavior, how their behaviour-intensities and the combination of traits define their work style. These can be further applied to understanding how may one can be perceived (by others) and the impact they will have on people working around them. When it comes to a team, collating and analysing the behaviour profile of teams, adds a new dimension to under

Introduction In the recent months, since the development of the COVID-19 pandemic, organisations have been challenged in every way on how to go about running their business. The need for distancing and working from home is another element that greatly impacted communication and the way work is done. Many organisations have realized quickly that they need to ensure people engagement in their organisations continue to be effective and impactful. Effective Engagement - The Im