Stories by Hal Gottfried on Medium
- Leadership Isn’t About Having Answers March 25, 2025Back when I first stepped into a leadership role, I thought my job was to be the smartest person in the room. Man, was I wrong.Continue reading on Medium »
- Leading With Your Humanity: The Secret Weapon Most Leaders Miss March 24, 2025Look, we need to talk about something that’s bugging me. I’ve been in countless meetings with polished executives who sound like they swallowed a management textbook. They’ve got the jargon, they’ve got the confident stance, and they’ve got absolutely zero connection with their people.Here’s the truth we don’t talk about enough: your greatest leadership asset isn’t […]
- From Tension to Trust: Cultivating Constructive Conversations March 9, 2025A Guide to Building Stronger Relationships Through Effective DialogueLet’s Talk About Those “Uh Oh” Conversations, Shall We?Hey everyone, let’s be honest, we’ve all been there. That moment when you know you need to have a tough conversation. Maybe it’s a project hiccup, a team dynamic that’s a bit off, or just a difference of opinion that’s […]
- The Art of Authentic Connection: How to Build a Network That Truly Matters March 9, 2025In a world buzzing with notifications, endless feeds, and fleeting digital interactions, it’s easy to feel disconnected. We’re more “connected” than ever, yet paradoxically, many of us feel isolated. I remember attending a large industry conference a few years back. I walked away with a stack of business cards, a throbbing headache, and a sense […]
- Unmasking Cognitive Biases: Are Your Decisions Sabotaged by Brain Bugs? February 18, 2025In business and in life, the quality of our decisions determines our success. But what if the very tool we rely on to make those decisions — our brain — is flawed? Cognitive biases are those hidden flaws, and they can lead even the sharpest minds astray. In this issue, we’re exposing the most common cognitive biases that impact […]
- Shifting from Reaction to Prevention: The Hallmark of True Leadership February 6, 2025Look, being a great leader isn’t about fixing problems when they pop up, it’s about stopping them before they even happen. It’s the difference between good leaders and the best ones. Think of it like this: it’s steering clear of the storm altogether, not just riding it out when it hits.High Cost of ReactivityReactive leadership is […]
- Learning and Growing Soft Skills June 28, 2024Ready to elevate your leadership game and drive innovation? Developing essential soft skills is key to becoming an influential leader. In my latest post, I break down the key soft skills needed to be a more effective leaders and how you can cultivate them to set yourself apart in your career.What are Soft Skills and Why […]
- The Kindness of Leaders January 21, 2024In the bustling corridors of business, where strategies and metrics dominate conversations, I’ve noticed something quite profound — the transformative effect of gratitude. Often, we’re consumed with driving innovation and pushing boundaries that we overlook the human element that powers our endeavors.Over the years, I’ve discovered an often underrated tool for motivating my team: recognition.Acknowledging someone’s effort […]
- Navigating the Manager-Leader Distinction January 11, 2024Let’s talk about the age-old question: What’s the difference between a manager and a leader? Well, not all managers are natural leaders, and there’s a sweet spot where managerial skills meet real leadership. Here’s the lowdown on crossing that divide and becoming a leader, no matter your title.Manager vs. Leader: What’s the Scoop?Okay, so here’s the deal. […]
- Engaging remote employees in 2024? Let’s crack that nut. January 6, 2024Once upon a time, our work pals were just a swivel-chair spin away. Fast forward to 2024, and Bob from accounting is now a pixelated face on a screen — still rocking that quirky mug, though. 😊Now, how do we keep our virtual village thriving when our teammates are scattered across different postal codes?First, let’s talk about the vibe. […]