News from Leaders By Design

Senior executive in reflective leadership conversation — personality traits effective leaders

The Personality Traits That Separate Good Leaders From Great Ones

The traits that got you to the C-suite aren’t always the ones that keep you effective there — and in my experience, the gap shows up in three specific places most senior leaders would rather not examine. I’ll show you exactly where to look.

Self-directed neuroplasticity - How attention and mindfulness shape executive performance

The Mind’s Interpretation: How Attention and Mindfulness Shape Executive Performance

Your brain reacts 165 milliseconds before your conscious mind catches up. For senior executives, that gap is where leadership is won or lost. In this installment of Cultivating Leaders, I explore how attention, mindfulness, and the science of reframing give leaders access to their best judgment precisely when pressure is highest.

Self-Awareness is the Foundation of Great Leadership - Pause and Reflect

Self-Awareness: The Foundation of Leadership

Even the most accomplished executives plateau without self-awareness. Blind spots, ego protection, and low feedback tolerance quietly erode authority. In this installment of Cultivating Leaders, I explore why executive self-awareness is the true competitive advantage — and how structured leadership coaching helps senior leaders confront blind spots before they become derailments.

A Case Study in Empathy-Driven Succession Planning - A CFO’s Journey to CEO

Building Your Next CEO: A Case Study in Empathy-Driven Succession Planning

This case study shows how a high-performing CFO became CEO by developing empathy and stronger interpersonal leadership. It demonstrates why companies committed to succession planning invest in human-centered leadership skills early and consistently.