Posts by Robin Pou
I Don’t Have to Be There to Lead. (#246)
The Confident Leader BOOST YOUR LEADERSHIP IN UNCERTAIN TIMES Last week, a leader told me, “I haven’t been in the office in weeks—and honestly, I don’t miss it.” Fair. But then he paused. “I think my team might.” The question isn’t whether leaders can work flexibly. It’s whether their absence is creating a leadership void.…
Read MoreLeading People Who Won’t Turn Their Camera On (#245)
The Confident Leader BOOST YOUR LEADERSHIP IN UNCERTAIN TIMES I was talking with a firm’s managing partner who said, “Robin, I feel like I’m chasing shadows.” His top associates had gone dark—working from home, cameras off, and “not available” without warning. Leaders across the country are wondering, “Where has my team gone?” “The single biggest…
Read MoreBreak the Leadership Boredom (#244)
The Confident Leader BOOST YOUR LEADERSHIP IN UNCERTAIN TIMES When our kids were young, I fondly remember the end of a long school year and the beginning of summer. About ten days in, one of them would say, “I’m bored.” My wife usually winked at me, as we knew that was the start of the…
Read MoreStop Expecting Leaders to Come Fully Assembled (#243)
The Confident Leader BOOST YOUR LEADERSHIP IN UNCERTAIN TIMES While having coffee with a CEO last week, he expressed frustration: “I expected my leadership team to be ready to lead, but now I’m training them in basic leadership skills!” Instead of executing from day one, he found himself coaching them. Sound familiar? “The function of…
Read MoreAre You Playing Offense or Defense? (#242)
The Confident Leader BOOST YOUR LEADERSHIP IN UNCERTAIN TIMES Sean, a CEO I coach, was feeling stuck. He’d built his career on playing aggressive offense—seizing opportunities, pushing initiatives forward—but now, in a high-pressure moment, his instincts weren’t producing results. In fact, he was posting some losses. He wondered: “What’s happening?” “The supreme art of war…
Read MoreThe Secret Edge You’re Too Busy to Unlock (#241)
The Confident Leader BOOST YOUR LEADERSHIP IN UNCERTAIN TIMES Buried in deadlines and demands, you may have overlooked a hidden advantage that turns chaos into monumental breakthroughs. It’s not about working harder or faster. Take a cue from the playbook of top leaders and notable trailblazers as your next step to stand out. You can’t…
Read MoreLearn How to Declutter Your Leadership Life. (#240)
The Confident Leader BOOST YOUR LEADERSHIP IN UNCERTAIN TIMES “Robin, I feel like everything is so muddled and chaotic right now. I’ve inherited some of the mess, and some of it is just clutter in the business,” said Jennifer, the CEO of a company in transition. She isn’t alone. I’m seeing other leaders going through…
Read MoreThis Uncertainty Is Leading to Leadership Doubt. (#239)
The Confident Leader BOOST YOUR LEADERSHIP IN UNCERTAIN TIMES I read the latest newsletter from my friend, Abby McCloskey. She is a political strategist. During her recent trip to Washington, D.C., her contacts across various government sectors are experiencing uncertainty. As a leader, you might be experiencing similar emotions. So, how can leaders effectively lead…
Read MoreDo the Details Matter? (#238)
The Confident Leader BOOST YOUR LEADERSHIP IN UNCERTAIN TIMES In the television show The Bear, the star is Carmen, a professionally-trained chef who is preparing to open a fine-dining restaurant. His team’s experience amounts to running a mere sandwich shop. He sends his right-hand person, Richie, to training. What transpires offers a profound lesson for…
Read MoreListening: A Powerful Leadership Tool. (#236)
The Confident Leader BOOST YOUR LEADERSHIP IN UNCERTAIN TIMES Last Sunday, I received a text from my son’s friend, who is in college. He mentioned that he was in town to watch the Super Bowl and asked if I had time for coffee on Monday. “We have two ears and one mouth so that we…
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