What can a trip to the dentist teach us about leadership? A lot, it turns out. In this blog post, we explore how creating psychological safety—just like a great pediatric dental team does—can boost motivation, trust, and performance at work. Learn why safety and healthy conflict go hand-in-hand, and how vulnerability and structure help teams align (even when they disagree). If you’re ready to build a culture where people feel energized, engaged, and empowered to speak up, this one’s for you.
What really motivates your team? Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory offers a timeless framework to help leaders understand the difference between what satisfies employees—and what simply keeps them from quitting. In our latest blog, we explore how supervisors can move beyond managing hygiene factors (like pay and working conditions) to actively fostering motivators like recognition, growth, and meaningful work. Plus, we share practical tools you can use in one-on-ones to build engagement and boost satisfaction.
We’re bringing back one of our favorite posts on its 10th anniversary—a timeless reminder that leadership often looks like hard work no one else understands. Inspired by a man chopping firewood in the Alabama heat, this story challenges us to embrace “fanatic discipline”—a principle from Great by Choice by Jim Collins. If you’re striving to lead with intention, even when results feel far off, this one’s for you. Read on for four practical ways to build consistency, focus on effort, and set yourself up for long-term success.
What would you do if your boss asked you to break the law? Years ago, I faced that very dilemma—and lost my job for doing the right thing. At this week’s Alabama SHRM Conference, I’m leading a session on Ethics in HR—not the checkbox kind, but the real-world, gray-area stuff we all encounter. We’ll explore practical frameworks, cultural pressures, and how to lead with integrity when the stakes are high. Join the conversation and walk away better equipped to lead with courage and clarity.
Wondering how to take your leadership team’s performance management skills to the next level—without losing sight of your values? In our latest blog, we reflect on a recent retreat with a returning client where we built on The People First Method to explore what values-based performance management really looks like. From ethical feedback to coaching with purpose, this session was all about leading with integrity. Discover how your team can turn values into action—and performance into growth.