Entries by melissadawn

The Heart of Brainstorming

How Great Leaders Unlock Collective Genius Brainstorming is not about who has the best idea. It’s about creating the best conditions for ideas to appear. Have you found brainstorming to be a waste of time? Does it feel unfocused, unproductive, or disconnected from the core purpose? Or maybe it turns into a competition to be […]

How to Ask for a Raise as an Executive

Advocating for your worth with clarity, calm, and confidence Know your worth, then ask for it with grace. That’s leadership. Asking for a raise can be nerve-wracking—even at the executive level. From sleepless nights to sweaty palms, the anticipation often feels worse than the conversation itself. And yet, it can be more than just a […]

How to Conduct a Performance Review for Year Round Growth

How to Conduct a Performance Review for Year-Round Growth Too many performance reviews are wasted opportunities. It’s time to change that. When conducted with intention, performance reviews are strategic checkpoints in an ongoing growth journey for you, your employees, and your organization. Done well, they’re a powerful opportunity to:  Connect meaningfully with team members Assess […]

Recognizing and Addressing Microaggressions in Heart-Centered Leadership

Leadership doesn’t begin and end with performance metrics. It begins with presence. It’s in the tone we set—through words, behavior, and even silence.  How we respond to the dynamics around us shapes team culture. It influences trust, engagement, and performance. Microaggressions may seem subtle, but their cumulative impact breaks down psychological safety, trust, and inclusion. […]

The Energy Stewardship Practice of Heart-Centered Leaders

The Energy Stewardship Practice of Heart-Centered Leaders Leadership today requires more than expert strategy and masterful execution.  It also demands presence, clarity, and sustainable energy — and yet, so many high-performing leaders are running on empty. It’s rarely the work alone that exhausts us — it’s the stress, pressure, expectations, and near-constant unpredictability. “You don’t […]

Leading Through Change? Great Leaders Combine Heart AND Strategy.

Change doesn’t fail because of poor strategy. It fails because leaders forget the human side of transformation. What keeps you up at night? If you’re like many in leadership, it’s things like: Retaining top talent Engagement and motivation Burnout and exhaustion (your own, or that of your team) Innovation and agility in your organization What […]