Welcome to Leadership Insights! Each week, we curate transformative leadership insights and add our own expertise to help you lead with purpose and impact. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or an emerging leader, you’ll find actionable wisdom in every edition.
Every day, I witness the incredible impact AI can have on leaders—especially when used in creative and strategic ways. In fact, AI can be a powerful ally for leaders when it comes to tackling tough conversations. If you’ve been avoiding a difficult discussion with a team member or peer, AI can help you prepare with clarity and confidence. Here’s a specific prompt you can use to unlock immediate insights:
“I need to have a difficult conversation with a team member about underperformance. Provide three empathetic, clear, and actionable approaches to frame the discussion, ensuring it remains constructive and focused on growth.”
Try this prompt in a tool like ChatGPT or another AI platform. You’ll gain fresh perspectives and strategies to approach the conversation in a way that fosters understanding and positive outcomes.
This Week’s Posts We Love
LinkedIn Highlight: “Not All Listening is Created Equal” by Doug Noll
This week’s LinkedIn Spotlight features a powerful article by my friend and fellow leadership coach, Doug Noll, titled “Not All Listening is Created Equal.” Doug breaks down the difference between listening to solve a problem and listening to truly see someone—and why both matter, especially in tough situations. His concept of “listening others into existence” really stuck with me. Give it a read, and let me know which type of listening shows up most in your leadership.
Click Here to Check Out Doug’s LI Post
BlueSky Spotlight: The New Yorker, “Why Can’t You Just Deal With It?” from Joshua Rothman
For this week’s BlueSky Spotlight, I’m sharing a post from The New Yorker featuring Joshua Rothman’s powerful article, “Why Can’t You Just Deal With It?” It explores the emotional and mental weight behind our most challenging tasks—those that require not just action but courage, clarity, and sustained effort. As a leader, this deeply resonated with me, especially the idea that not dealing isn’t failure—it’s often part of the process. It’s a must-read for anyone facing something hard.
Book of the Week
The Journey of Leadership: How CEOs Learn to Lead from the Inside Out by Dana Maor, Hans-Werner Kaas, Kurt Strovink, Ramesh Srinivasan
This week’s top pick for leaders is The Journey of Leadership, a compelling exploration of McKinsey & Company’s proven approach to developing top-tier leaders. Drawing from lessons shared in their legendary CEO leadership program, this book offers invaluable insights into the psychological and emotional dimensions of transformative leadership.
Must-Read Article of the Week
“8 Ways You Can Improve Your Communication Skills:
Your guide to establishing better communication habits for success in the workplace” by Mary Sharp Emerson
If you’re looking to strengthen your communication skills, this article offers practical tips like being clear and concise, listening actively, and paying attention to nonverbal cues. These strategies can make a big difference in connecting with others and leading effectively.
From the CARE to Lead® Archives
Navigating the No-Win Scenario
Tough conversations and no-win scenarios come with the leadership territory—but they don’t have to derail your team. To stay on theme with this week’s tip, we’re revisiting “Navigating the No-Win Scenario,” a blog that explores how to spot and avoid double binds before they undermine trust and progress. If you’ve ever felt stuck between conflicting demands, this one’s for you.
Closing Thoughts
As you use this tip, think about how AI can help you navigate not just tough conversations but other leadership challenges with more confidence and focus. Tools like this are here to support you every step of the way. Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on LinkedIn, Bluesky, YouTube, Facebook, or Instagram, and let me know how you’re using AI to lead with impact.
Thank you for being part of our leadership community. We’re dedicated to helping you lead with Clarity, Authenticity, Responsibility, and Engagement. Until next week, keep raising the bar on your leadership journey!
