Why Managing Up Is The Most Critical Career Skill In 2025
Managing up can be tricky. For instance, do you ever find yourself lying awake at night, mentally rewriting that email you sent to your boss? Or rehearsing how you’ll handle tomorrow’s tough conversation about yet another shifting deadline? Perhaps you get defensive when your boss hits you with unexpected feedback. Maybe you struggle to ask […]
4 Signs You’re Too Emotionally Invested in Your Work (And How to Fix It)
Do you struggle with being too invested in your work? Take my client Kai, who loved his role. His projects were stimulating, his team was supportive, and his compensation was competitive. But Kai struggled with becoming emotionally overinvested, which began to cloud his judgment and impact his well-being. This is a pattern many Sensitive Strivers will recognize. […]
Skip-Level Meeting Success: How to Connect With Your Boss’s Boss
How well do you know your manager’s manager? Have you had opportunities to connect with them independently? For many professionals I work with, the answer to these questions is often “not much.” Securing a successful skip-level meeting provides a valuable opportunity to build relationships with senior leadership while gaining insight into your organization’s priorities. No […]
Executive Presence for “Quiet” Professionals
At least once a week, I hear from Sensitive Strivers – deeply feeling and high-achieving leaders – who ask, “How do I project more executive presence? This is such a common question because most Sensitive Strivers believe they lack presence. But the fact that you’re sensitive doesn’t mean you can’t command a room. What if it meant you […]
How to Give Tough Feedback Without Losing Your Confidence
Marcus, a technical operations director, felt physically ill at the thought of giving tough feedback to his team. He believed that as a leader, it should be easy. But as a Sensitive Striver, it felt overwhelming. He managed a diverse team at a multinational cybersecurity firm, excelling in handling multiple tasks and cultural nuances. He was […]
How to Maintain Your Composure at Work
Do you find it a challenge to maintain your composure at work? Danielle, the COO of a digital banking company, was known for her kind and welcoming nature, earning the trust and admiration of her team. However, being a Sensitive Striver, she often found it difficult to mask her feelings, especially during high-pressure situations. One […]
