Charlie is a charming, highly persuasive marketing executive for a growing technology company. He’s a delight to work with—until you tell him what he’s asking for isn’t possible. Then, his charm rapidly dissipates. On a good day, you’ll get a reptilian smile with, “I’m sure someone with as many years in the business can find…
Books about Well-Being in the Workplace
Well-being in the workplace (or “wellbeing” if you prefer) is having a moment. From leadership trends that toute the importance of empathy to listicles from a snack company, everyone is talking about how to help employees bring their healthiest selves to work. Last month, three new books arrived on the scene, each with a roadmap…
Leadership in the Hybrid Workplace
Is the hybrid workplace here to stay? A behavioral scientist named Jon Levy wrote an article in the Boston Globe (gated access) that essentially said, “Nah, I don’t think so.” And the internet blew up. (As it does.) Whether he’s correctly called it or not remains to be seen. For now, leadership in the hybrid…
No Leadership Title? You Can Still Influence Change
A People Equation reader wrote to ask my advice on the following: Our small company is growing and we need to learn to use organizational tools like spreadsheets more effectively. I’m comfortable using these tools, but many of my peers aren’t. The tools are out of their comfort zone, but once they learn the system,…
Want to be an Inclusive Leader? Expand Your Home Team Roster
Are you on the “home team” at work? Otherwise known as the “traditional majority culture,” author Laura Kriska uses the “home team advantage” analogy for the invisible edge people on the “home team” possess. Because the rules for belonging are unwritten (and nobody’s wearing a uniform), people on the team are unaware of the ways…




