If you find yourself saying things like "my team knows not to follow my bad example (working long hours, for example)" then this episode is for you.

So many humanitarian and development leaders I work with think they are the "exception to the rule".  That is that their team does not follow their unhealthy work style.  

But how true is that really?

From my experience, it's not.

In this episo...

The words you use when planning your week matter.

It may not seem like a big thing - but depending on how you are phrasing things in your calendar or to do list, you can end up procrastinating or not wanting to take action.

I see many leaders - including myself - sometimes delay doing things because how they are listed in our calendar is not helpful.

In this episode I share simple tips to he...

It's not always easy to ask others for help.  It can make us feel vulnerable, incompetent or we don't want to burden someone else.

And yet, there are times when it is actually our responsibility to ask for help.

I am talking about when to ask your supervisor for help.

Many of the leaders I work with are reluctant to ask for help, when it is obvious they need it and that doing so would allevi...

It is natural to have blindspots in our thinking and perspectives about things.

For example, perhaps you travel to a different country and use your finger to point at someone, which is seen in that country as very offensive.

Of course once you become aware of this, you will likely stop doing it (I hope at least).

That is why the more we understand about our blindspots - the way we perceive t...

Most of us prefer working for a leader who we feel cares for us over one who only cares about results.  

Many research studies confirm the same: empathetic leaders create higher performing and more motivated teams.

Chances are if you're listening to this you are already a caring leader, but there is an oportunity that many leaders overlook which is so simple and yet goes a long way when you w...

Last week we reflected on who we became as a leader over the last year and how it helped us achieve what we have so far.

This week we focus on how to achieve what we want for the next year (our "one thing") and how you can create weekly actions to do so.

Your resulting "one thing" and the weekly actions you can take should leave you feeling inspired and motivated to get started on becoming yo...

What have you accomplished over the last year as a supervisor and leader?

And more importantly, what led you to achieve what you have - and what may have prevented you from achieving more?

Taking the time to reflect on questions such as these can set us up for greater growth and success in the coming year.

Just like we do project reflections, we should reflect on our own learning too.

But l...

The way we see our role as a leader relates directly to the way we use our time and the impact we create.

It also relates to the level of overwhelm and burnout we experience.

Based on some common misconceptions, I am sharing how you can make the most impact as a humanitarian or development leader.

You'll learn two shifts in perspective that will help you focus your time and prioritize what w...

How much does your team rely on you?

Maybe it's not the entire team that needs your help.

Maybe it's one or two people.

You have shown them how to do something again and again...

And still they don't do it on their own.

If you recognize this situation, it is likely you are partly responsible for it.

You may think you are being helpful, but your actions as a leader are creating a team that...

Another year is almost over, and if you're like me, you may be asking... where did my time go?

And better yet, what have I accomplished?

Depending on how much you respect your own time, you may find yourself either doing urgent work for others, or doing important work for yourself.

What's interesting is many of us don't even realize when we are not respecting our time.

We think we are being...