Leadership Insights & Practical Wisdom

12 articles
Have You Made a To-Not-Do List Lately? May 1, 2026

Have You Made a 'To-Not-Do' List Lately?

Most of us have drawn up thousands of To-Do lists. But how many of us have ever drawn up a "To-Not-Do" list? It may be one of the most powerful productivity tools you're not using.

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Nurturing the Art of Self-Coaching April 1, 2026

Nurturing the Art of Self-Coaching

When it comes to strengthening your team's performance, there's only one thing as powerful as taking the time to coach your direct reports: teaching them to self-coach.

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At the Intersection of Food, Influence, and Leadership March 1, 2026

At the Intersection of Food, Influence, and Leadership

You need someone's help. You may or may not be his boss. He's known you for 6 minutes. He is very busy, and offering free food isn't an option. Now what?

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Want to Be the Boss Everyone Loves? February 1, 2026

Want to Be the Boss Everyone Loves?

What if YOU were the leader people lined up to work for? With your "fabulous boss" reputation, you'd have your pick of the best applicants — skilled, motivated, and hard-working.

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Do You Bring Enough of Yourself to Work? January 1, 2026

Do You Bring Enough of Yourself to Work?

Don't airbrush vulnerability, emotions, eccentricities, and imperfections out of your leadership style. Here's why authenticity makes you a more effective leader.

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The Dark Side of Collaboration, and How to Fight Back December 1, 2025

The Dark Side of Collaboration, and How to Fight Back

In many companies, employees spend 80% of their time in meetings or answering colleagues' requests. Here's how the best leaders fight back against collaboration overload.

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Developing Leaders: Lessons from a Behavior Change Effort November 1, 2025

Developing Leaders: Lessons from One of the Most Impressive Behavior Change Efforts Ever

What can a stunning program to feed starving children possibly teach us about developing stronger leaders? Meet the Elephant, whose neglect often foils leader behavior change initiatives.

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10 Days and 34 Words to Better Relationships October 1, 2025

10 Days and 34 Words to Better Relationships

How do you increase the odds that others do things well and quickly for you? The answer may surprise you: it takes just 10 days and 34 words.

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Radical Candor September 1, 2025

Radical Candor: Is It Ever OK to Use the Word 'Stupid' When Giving Feedback?

How to get away with serious levels of candor — and when directness becomes the most respectful thing you can do for a colleague or report.

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3 Sneaky Excuses for Procrastination August 1, 2025

3 Sneaky Excuses for Procrastination: Are You Guilty?

There are a few really legitimate-sounding excuses that executives hide behind when it comes to Getting Stuff Done. Here are the Big Three. Do any of them apply to you?

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Thank-You Magic: 5 Creative Tactics July 1, 2025

'Thank-You' Magic: 5 Creative Tactics

Need fast, easy, no-cost tactics to boost morale, productivity, trust, and team relationships? Five favorite ways to supercharge an employee or group with genuine appreciation.

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Why Every Manager Needs Bad News June 1, 2025

Why Every Manager Needs Bad News

To maximize leadership success you MUST know not just the good — but also the bad and the ugly. Here's how to cultivate the art of collecting difficult feedback.

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About People 101

People 101 is written by Kirstin Lynde, Founder of Catalyze Associates. Each post draws on Kirstin's 20+ years of real-world leadership development experience to deliver practical, actionable insights for leaders at every level.

Meet Kirstin