This month's Leadership Carnival contains expert contributions on the topics of:
Creativity/Inspiration| Engagement | Leadership Development | Process Improvement | Productivity | Teams | Work Culture
Creativity/Inspiration
Communication Tips in Trying Times: Navigating the Eaton Fire
When life is smooth and uncomplicated, it's easy; when challenges arise, true focus and determination are required to manage difficulties. Boy, did I learn that up-close and personal. In a heated conversation with my son, whose family was impacted directly by the Eaton fire. I failed to practice what I preach. This blogs highlights how I turned it around, by following my own advice: chiefly, the power of apology, tamping down the lizard brain, and being strategic in my follow-up communication.
Four Storylines for the future
What do you expect of the possible futures? What steps can you take this year to work towards a positive future? Let's train our futures thinking with Jim Dator's four narratives
Engagement
Unlocking Leadership Potential Through Emotional Intelligence: The Mood Ring Metaphor
In leadership, emotions are not invisible; they ripple through your team, influencing engagement, trust, and performance. Emotional intelligence acts as a modern-day mood ring, helping leaders understand and manage their emotions while influencing the "colors" of those they lead
What do you plan to do with this one wild and precious year?
by Lisa Kohn
In the post, What do you plan to do with this one wild and precious year?, Lisa Kohn of Thoughtful Leaders Blog shares that by being more Thoughtful – about what we do and how we do it; about whom we're with and how we're with them; about what we pay attention to and what kind of attention we pay – we make it more likely that our year will be what we want it to be. So that it can be more wild and precious, more productive and powerful, and more fun.
Nick Sirianni and the Eagle's secret weapon: The power of connection
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni emphasizes connection in his leadership style, and the results have been impressive. Learn 3 ways Sirianni puts connection into action and smart habits you can borrow to engage your own team.
Leadership Development
A Journey to Openness
by Ann Van Eron
Throughout my life, I've embarked on a personal growth journey for myself and my coaching and leadership course clients. I've explored numerous paths and learned that trying to control and being stressed was ineffective. Instead, I discovered that the simple act of being open is a key to experiencing joy, aliveness, and a positive, productive life.
The Importance Of Leader Imperfection
Leadership is an inherently imperfect process, requiring bold decision-making in the face of uncertainty. While results matter, striving for perfection can stifle innovation, risk-taking, and personal growth. True leadership is about embracing imperfection, learning from mistakes, and fostering a culture where smart failures lead to new insights and progress.
The Strategy-Execution Gap: Are These Top 5 Symptoms Derailing Your Success?
by Bill Ringle
The article discusses five key symptoms of the strategy-execution gap: leadership inconsistency, communication breakdown, challenges in translating strategy to action, resource misallocation, and cultural misfit. These issues hinder organizational success and require proactive measures to align strategy with execution effectively.
Lead with Your Heart and Head: A Leadership Approach for 2025
Head or Heart? In 2025, the best leaders will choose both. Explore how blending emotional intelligence with rational thinking can help leaders inspire teams, navigate tough decisions, and build lasting legacies. Ready to embrace the balance of heart and head in your leadership?
How to Make People Doubt You
20 Ways to Shatter Trust in You (Or Your Organization)
Introducing Frameworks That Turn Challenges Into Opportunities
by John Spence
Clarity. Culture. Teams. Leadership. For the first time, I'm sharing four frameworks I've designed to elevate leaders, energize teams, and create an environment where excellence is not the exception; it's the standard.
Dropping the Curtain on Development "Theater"
Individual development planning is a valued organizational ritual, but too often, it's a performative check-the-box activity. Done well, it fuels motivation and engagement—done poorly, it undermines your best leadership efforts. Are your IDPs more theater than transformation? Watch for these cues.
The Missing Piece That Could Propel or Stall Your Career in 2025
by Sara Canaday
The shift to hybrid and remote work has redefined how we show up, but along the way, we've lost something essential: professional presence. This isn't just about appearances—it's about trust, credibility, and connection. For many, especially those who started their careers during the pandemic, the unspoken lessons of in-person work are missing. Reading a room, adapting your tone, and showing respect in subtle ways are skills that shape how others perceive us and how we collaborate. When we balance authenticity with professionalism, we elevate ourselves—and the workplace as a whole.
3 Hidden Blind Spots Effective Leaders Must Address to Build a Thriving Team Culture
by Sean Glaze
Every leader has blind spots… But ignoring them could cost you your team's trust, engagement, and performance. Blind spots are dangerous because they are more difficult to see the more successful you are. And they are often invisible to the very people who have them. As a leader, what you think is true about your team's experience might be far from their reality.
Process Improvement
Top Strategies for SMB Improvement in 2025
by Jon Verbeck
As we dive into 2025, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) have a world of opportunities and challenges ahead. Focusing on strategies that boost efficiency, profitability, and financial stability is key to staying competitive and driving growth. Here's a look at some top strategies you can implement to make 2025 your best year yet!
Productivity
Helicopter Leadership: When You Should Hover
Helicopter leadership is typically needed when an organization is in trouble or in significant problem-solving mode. These leaders can look broadly over the situation, determine the problem spots, and zoom in to inspect the issue. They can be positioned much closer to daily activities and outcomes, able to see details that impact performance and results. They can then identify and deploy the resources needed to address the issue.
Team Building
Psychological Safety Isn't Just A Buzzword; It's The Foundation Of High-Performing Teams
In the dynamic world of modern work, innovation and adaptability rely on a vital factor: psychological safety. When individuals feel confident sharing their ideas, voicing concerns, or acknowledging mistakes without the risk of criticism, remarkable things unfold.
Work Culture
Why Workplace Happiness Is Vital
Workplace happiness is the primary driver of a thriving work culture, says S. Chris Edmonds, who offers three ways to create that culture.