A surprising number of firms still don’t run any kind of structured employee review process—not annually, not quarterly, not ever. And when you dig into why, the answer is usually some version of this: “Our technical leads are slammed. They don’t have time to review their people.” Fair point. In Read more…
Every leader knows what a bad meeting feels like. The energy drops. People disengage. The conversation wanders. And by the end, nothing is decided, everyone is more confused than when they started, and the only clear outcome is the collective wish that the meeting had been cancelled. This is what Read more…
I came across this idea while reading Radical Candor by Kim Scott: many leaders wear the “flat organization” label as a badge of honor. The thinking goes, We don’t need titles or hierarchy here—we’re all equals. I understand the sentiment. It’s about teamwork, openness, and avoiding the bureaucracy that slows Read more…
We find ourselves in uncertain times. Then again, one could argue we always do—it’s just that sometimes we perceive things to be more stable than they are. Stability is often an illusion; change and disruption are constant. In moments of uncertainty, our natural wiring kicks in: fight, flight, or freeze. Read more…
When we think of strategic planning, we often picture executive retreats, multi-page decks, and teams of leaders hashing out growth initiatives. It’s a tool, we assume, for larger organizations with big ambitions and even bigger budgets. But what about solopreneurs? I’ve had the opportunity to work with a few lately, Read more…
A CFO I worked with used to say, “The difference between an accountant and an engineer is that the accountant doesn’t think they can do engineering.” It’s a funny line, but there’s some real insight behind it. Most accounting firm owners I’ve worked with are sharp, disciplined, and deeply grounded Read more…
What’s New, What’s Next, and What Hasn’t Changed Attending AIA 2025 was a reminder of how quickly the design and construction industry is evolving—and how much remains grounded in the enduring values of the profession. The Rise (and Rise) of AI Artificial Intelligence was no longer a fringe idea or Read more…
Vulnerability is often celebrated as a hallmark of great leadership. Countless articles in Forbes, Harvard Business Review, and WSJ highlight how leaders who are open, transparent, and willing to admit mistakes build trust, inspire loyalty, and create high-performing teams. And they’re right—up to a point. But let’s talk about the Read more…
Accountability isn’t just a leadership buzzword—it’s the backbone of every successful organization. Yet, as leaders, we often undermine this critical cultural element without even realizing it. Through my experience as a firm leader and consultant, I’ve seen three behaviors that erode accountability faster than you can say, “Who’s responsible for Read more…
In today’s culture, working hard is often painted as “uncool.” The narrative seems to be: do just enough to get by, maximize leisure, and aim for “work-life balance”—a phrase increasingly used to justify the bare minimum at work. But what’s lost in this perspective is the undeniable truth that a Read more…