BLOGS

When we ask people what they believe makes a good leader, one answer consistently rises above the rest: a leader who listens. Becoming a good listener requires intentional effort. It starts with determining what the speaker needs from the listener: Are they coming for advice? Are they coming to brainstorm ideas? Are they coming to ask for support? Are they coming to purely vent? All of which require attention on the part of the listener. If they seek advice, a good listen

This blog is intentionally short. I lost my father this month, my grounding rock and my uplifting wings. He was my greatest supporter, my constant encourager and my scolder when I needed it. His love shaped who I am, and his absence leaves a void that can never be filled. Grief has a way of revealing the true character of people. I previously wrote about sympathy, empathy and compassion; I was fortunate to receive all three during this difficult time. Words of sympathy ca

As summer arrives, many employees begin thinking about taking a well-earned break. Yet despite growing evidence that time away from work improves wellbeing, reduces burnout, and increases professional fulfillment, many people still hesitate to use their vacation days. The stigma around taking time off work is driven by guilt and fear of false perception about job commitment. But here is the insight: the question is not whether employees need time off, it is whether leaders

People often ask me: “Awatif, you speak passionately about great leadership and promoting good behavior, but what advice would you give someone struggling under a toxic boss? A boss who makes them miserable day in and day out. To that, I offer six simple options to navigate toxicity: 1. EDUCATE – I am a stronger believer of second chances; if the boss is receptable to feedback and the relationship between them and the employee is close enough to allow for candid conversatio

People ask me what role does AI play in leadership? My answer: Nothing but research. AI is a great tool for processing vast amounts of data. It can identify patterns, model scenarios and unveil insights for better decision making. It is up to the user to decide when to trust the output, when to check it, and when to disregard it. AI is helpful in carrying out routine tasks such as note-taking, scheduling, generating analytical reports and general recommendations. It can a

I chose to highlight two women examples in my book because their stories resonate with my own experience. But these examples are just a glimpse. Countless individuals, across industries and generations, some famous, some not, attribute their success to the support and mentorship of leaders in their orbits. Leadership has ripple effects. It shapes careers, builds confidence, and changes lives. This is why the work we are doing matters. My book pre-sale page officially ended o

During a recent conversation on the topic of leadership, I was confronted with a provocative idea: that a leader is nothing more than a dictator with charisma! At first, the statement made me pause. While catchy, this oversimplification misses the critical distinctions between leadership and tyranny. Then, I was determined to make a case against this thinking. Leadership is not centered around manipulation or personal magnetism; it’s about mindset, skill, and purpose. I

Dictators don't start off as dictators; there is a progressive spectrum that takes them from wanting to do good, to the “I know it all mentality”. The spectrum starts off from: Communicator ⇒ Facilitator ⇒ Leader ⇒ Autocrat ⇒ Dictator ⇒ Tyrant ⇒ Despot The seven stages above are not inclusive of all possible negative progression. There are other characteristics in between such as domineering, coercive, narcissistic, exploitative, disingenuous, condescending, deceitful, dog

As the year draws to a close, it is a fitting time to pause and reflect on our blessings - big and small. The blessing of good health. The blessing of safety. The blessing of being able to hug loved ones. The blessing of being able to provide for our families. The blessing of moments of calmness. The blessing of opportunities presented to us, and doors opening in our path. The blessing of our teams who work hard and the leaders supporting them. The blessing of customers who w

Fall season, or autumn as known in other parts of the world, is upon us. It is the season that reminds us that change can be beautiful. Just as the leaves transform, we too can evolve, refocus, and find strength in the process. Yet in the corporate world, the concept of change can be daunting, causing discomfort and stress to some. Let me start by reassuring you that change does not have to be dramatic! Whatever the change, big or small, there is absolutely no need to panic

Last month we blogged about the Persona Paradox . We argued the paradox causes some executives to behave differently whist at work vis-à-vis in their personal lives. One of the reasons driving this phenomenon lies in efforts to want to please shareholders. The quest to blindly deliver on ambitions, and sometimes unrealistic, shareholder demands can lead to many problems; ethical as well legal. History gives us many examples of unethical conduct driven by greed, fame or shor

Have you ever noticed a difference in the way some people carry themselves at work vis-à-vis their behavior outside the work...

Leaders have a natural instant to want to help others, they do so through various channels: giving advice, feedback conversations,...

Everyone carries an image of what a great leader looks like. For many, that image is rooted in traditionally masculine traits (regardless...

Common dictionaries define power as the possession of control, authority or command over others or events, whether through physical or...

Culture is the DNA of an organization. It shapes the fundamental choices a company makes in how it operates. And because it is a choice,...

Every team goes through multiple phases in their life span; bad habits can form at various stages of the team lifecycle, especially among...

With the first quarter of the year drawing to a close, it's a perfect time to check-in on your 2025 SMART goals. Research indicates that...

The beginning of every year brings along new promises, new possibilities, and new challenges; 2025 is no exception. This year, in...

As we embark on a new year, many of us turn our attention to new resolutions and meaningful goals. One crucial aspect that often gets...