Blog

Leadership is hard. Frequently uncomfortable. The high level thinking you're supposed to be doing doesn't show tangible results any time soon, so how can you feel useful and productive? And you've always been rewarded for being the person who "gets results" - how can you (and anyone else) measure your value if you're not "doing things?"

Karen Wright

25 Jan 2024

A brilliant technical leader can feel quite uncertain when confronted with a new role where the focus is on driving results with and through people.

Karen Wright

8 Dec 2023

Leadership Team development is a unique practice area, one that requires not only advanced level coaching skills but also the ability to see the system that is a team while recognizing the individuals within it.

Karen Wright

8 Dec 2023

Leader coaching challenges can be as simple as honing presentation and communication skills, and as complex as managing change and dealing with ambiguity – some of which can be taught but most of which are better developed through the iterative process of coaching.

Karen Wright

7 Dec 2023

Rightly or wrongly, women often face different challenges on their leadership journey. Whether they are the only woman at the executive table or are trying to accelerate through a traditional organization, most women will tell you that they find it difficult to find mentors, understand expectations, build networks and focus their development.

Karen Wright

7 Dec 2023

"... I challenge anyone with people leadership responsibility to take a look in the mirror at what real capacity you have to offer your role, and then summon up the courage to calibrate your own efforts as a role model to those seeking an example of what it takes to be successful."

Karen Wright

28 Feb 2023

As a leader, I think it’s essential that you encourage “science projects” – chances your team can take where the goal is learning, and where it’s safe to find out when things don’t work.

Karen Wright

13 Apr 2022

"...I’m also clear that no one is a great leader UNLESS and UNTIL they are happy as a human. What it takes to be happy is a topic of much debate, but for me it is rooted in being kind, being curious and being conscious of our impact on and role in our larger communities."

Karen Wright

22 Mar 2022

"...working in an organization means you have a relationship with that entity. Which means you have a personal responsibility to set and communicate your boundaries, ask for what you need and pay attention to the impact your behaviours and choices have on others. And, in my view, the organization has a responsibility to listen to you, to communicate its expectations, and to create an environment where humans can truly thrive in order to support its ultimate success."

Karen Wright

4 Jan 2022

"If we are self-aware, we can choose careers that allow us to work in alignment with our most accessible strengths. But career management is only partly making good choices. It’s also advocating for oneself in alignment with those choices – a skill set in and of itself."

Karen Wright

28 Nov 2021

"Bootstrapping is necessary in the early days of a venture, but not the expense of strong leadership. Founders – take a look in the mirror and assess whether people leadership is really in your skill set. Build a COO into the business plan, or support yourself with an executive coach."

Karen Wright

17 Nov 2021

"At the senior levels of an organization there are few, if any, people with whom you can talk transparently about your career goals. Your peers are, or see themselves as, your competition internally. Your boss has a vested interest in your career following a particular trajectory, and your direct reports either fear the change a new boss would bring or have their own eye on your current role. No one is objective, and few if any represent a “safe” space for a career conversation. Enter the objective third party in the form of an executive coach."

Karen Wright

2 Nov 2021

"Rather than thinking of a new executive as having to either “sink or swim,” consider how the organization can provide buoyancy support and even wind in the sails as the new leader joins the team. Onboarding programs can take many forms, and for new executives to co-create their onboarding programs with key influencers in the welcoming company will increase the probability of long term success."

Karen Wright

4 Oct 2021

"Coaching at the executive leadership level rarely takes the form of a “coaching program.” Executive coaching is a relationship, and as such doesn’t have a predictable curriculum or structured framework as is the case with coaching programs. When coaching leaders we set goals and areas of focus and then adapt each session’s approach to the needs and interests of the executive in that moment."

Karen Wright

7 Sep 2021

"“Meaning” can be found in lots of places, and is much more accessible – and reasonable – than “purpose.” In fact, you can ascribe any meaning you like to anything and everything. We actually do it all the time. So why not make choices about what means what that increases your chances of being happy?"

Karen Wright

30 Jun 2021

"When you’re feeling uncomfortable about delivering feedback, check in with your intention. If you are really trying to help the person do more of what works and less of what doesn’t, your authenticity will probably overshadow any awkwardness you’re feeling. And speak from your own experience – how the person’s behaviours, actions and choices have landed for you – rather than attempting to represent the experiences of others."

Karen Wright

30 Jun 2021