We’ve all had moments when a leader’s behavior left us stunned or even angry. When the person we look to for guidance or stability becomes the source of tension instead, it can shake our sense of safety, confidence, and trust. This month’s blog invites you to step back and see what might really be happening in those moments, and how you can protect your energy and lead yourself with clarity and compassion.

How summer’s slower pace can reveal what your saboteurs are hiding and what it means for your leadership.

What if a lack of focus or creativity isn’t a flaw, but a signal? In this personal reflection, I explore what might really be going on when I feel stuck—and how I can meet it with honesty, compassion, and care.

It’s tempting to look for a quick fix. A new incentive. A clever shift in communication. A fresh meeting format.

But truly effective leadership doesn’t start with tactics. It starts when you take a step back and consider how to answer this question completely and responsively to your organization.

Many tech leaders have come to believe that exceptional stress is simply part of the job, a necessary burden that comes with the responsibility of leadership. But what if that assumption is wrong? What if the key to being a high-performing leader isn’t about tolerating more stress, but about changing how you respond to it?