Dear Madeleine, I lead a business unit in a global services company. Our sector is highly competitive and it is “go go go” all day, every day. Our company recently instituted an internal survey designed to measure employee experience and asked business units and departments to give feedback on each other. Our business unit got…
Dear Madeleine, I have a wonderful team. They are all very different, with different strengths and skill sets, which I think makes us well rounded. They lean on each other when they need to problem solve. My problem is that my boss seems to have it in for one my people—let’s call her “B”. We…
Dear Madeleine, I am a team lead (the youngest, thank you very much) in a fast and fun Silicon Valley startup. Everything was fine until I was made a lead. The problem: I am just too smart. I know that sounds terrible, but it is true. I actually have an IQ of about 170, and…
Not everyone benefits from being coached. It is not a one-size-fits-all methodology—you need to have the right mindset. Here are six warning signs that working with a coach might not be right for you. If you believe others control your future If you hate to learn new things—especially about yourself If you believe you have…
Dear Madeleine, I am the business unit CEO of a global consumer goods company. My CFO—let’s call him AG—is literally a genius; one of the smartest people I have ever worked with. I brought him with me from my previous company because he is good with numbers and he thinks strategically. He stays on top…
Dear Madeleine, Soon I will be joining a large HR consulting firm as a consultant. My new job is focused on organization design and transformation. I have three years of work experience as an HR business partner but consulting is an altogether different world for me. I am excited but scared about how I should…
Dear Madeleine, I was recently convinced by senior team members to hire someone for my team who is overqualified for the position. I am trained in Situational Leadership® II and it has served me well – but my new hire won’t let me use it. He is competent in some aspects of the job, but…
