The Lead Yourself First Blog

When the pandemic struck, I found myself thrust into a new reality of fear and uncertainty. Suddenly, with work on hold and no pressing agenda, I felt as though time stood still for what was seemingly an eternity. My business had survived the economic meltdowns following 9/11 and the global financial crisis of 2008. But […]

Love it or hate it. Change is a part of life and business. Reacting to it is human. Anticipating it is wise. But mismanaging your change management process is entirely avoidable. If you ask Google: What percentage of change management initiatives fail? You will see 202 million results! The number doesn’t matter. Getting to the […]

If you have ever been part of a relationship dynamic at work that felt transactional or inauthentic, you are not alone. Even though years may have passed, and you have since moved on, it’s likely that you can still recall the impact of the experience and level of discomfort. We remember leaders who are real, […]

While economists worldwide declare the end of the Great Resignation and Quiet Quitting, the talent shortage is far from over. According to research by Korn Ferry, a global organizational consulting firm, by 2030, over 85 million job positions may remain vacant due to a shortage of qualified individuals to fill them. To proactively address talent […]

  Dilbert, my silly slammer stress buster toy, sits on my desk, vying for my attention as soon as I walk into my office. I enjoy his “rant” each time I slam him, although he only has three sayings: “Get out of my cubicle!”, “that’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard!”, and “You want it […]

Many years prior to Linkedin or the advent of online recruitment sites, I saw an ad in the job classifieds: State Sales Manager for Australia’s fastest growing Advertising Company. My fingers couldn’t get to the typewriter fast enough as positions like this were a rare find. Several weeks earlier, I had been laid off from […]

Power is a word that makes a lot of people uncomfortable… one that is frequently linked with those in positions of authority and control. But it need not have negative connotations and is especially relevant when you consider the power shift that has occurred in the world of work. 2022 is proving to be the […]

There is no way to gloss over it. The pandemic has forever changed the way we work and live. As we usher in a new year, one thing is certain: Uncertainty will be the foundation upon which leaders will need to continue to lead. So, where to start? The first step is recognizing that while […]

Admit it. Spending seven to eight hours a day in online meetings is exhausting. You have felt tempted to keep your camera turned off, or have found yourself tuning out or doing other tasks because no one can see or hear you. Despite the fact that you are expected to attend remote meetings and can […]

Six days before the world shockingly and unexpectedly shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I was enjoying a lovely breakfast with a young woman named Chelsea. We had met the day prior at a conference where I had been engaged to speak to a group of leaders in the financial sector. As soon as […]